Bermuda, Jul-Dec 1839, Despatches : Sir William Reid, governor of Bermuda : Index; Report; Minutes; Financial document; Order; Memorandum; Map; Returns; Correspondence; Acts and Legislation Jul-Dec 1839.

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English

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Letters.

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English

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Despatches from Sir William Reid, governor of Bermuda. Described at item level. CO 37/101/1. Governor's service certificate. Unnumbered, folios 3-4. 01/07/1839. CO 37/101/2. Recommends that rations of fresh fish be issued to the troops, navy and convicts once a week. No. 39, folios 5-8. 25/06/1839. CO 37/101/3. Reports that the signal stations needed to be removed due to the construction of a fort in St Georges. Recommends that the Board of Ordnance meet in order to select another site. Adds that the expense should be charged to the account of fortifications. No. 40, folios 10-25. 03/07/1839. CO 37/101/4. Forwards and recommends a petition from John Tucker asking to be appointed as clerk to the collector of Customs [petition not included in volume; sent to the Treasury]. No. 41, folios 26-31. 04/07/1839. CO 37/101/5. Forwards a list of Council members showing dates of appointment and other offices held. Listed are Robert Kennedy, Henry G Hunt, Augustus W Harvey, Richard J Tucker, Francis Albouy, Samuel A Smith, William B Smith, and Thomas Butterfield. Unnumbered, folios 32-35. 08/07/1839. CO 37/101/6. Quarterly certificate of officers in execution of their duties. Listed are Governor Major General Sir S R Chapman, Chief Justice Thomas Butterfield, Colonial Secretary Robert Kennedy, and Attorney General J H Darrell. Unnumbered, folios 36-37. 08/07/1839. CO 37/101/7. Reports enlisting 25 recruits. Explains that no more than 1000 soldiers would be enlisted. Notes that the male population amounted to 1571 'whites' and 1981 'coloured'. Comments that the Americans would at some point try to possess the island. Suggests that discharged soldiers should be subject to being recalled. No. 42, folios 38-41. 09/07/1839. CO 37/101/8. Recommends building and equipping a gunboat as well as having a naval officer train Bermudian boatmen in naval gunnery. No. 43, folios 42-43. 10/07/1839. CO 37/101/9. Comments on frequently hearing 'a strong desire expressed on the part of the colonists of bringing in white labourers, either from Great Britain, or from Malta'. Recommends forming a Maltese battalion as part of the regular army, but treating the battalion as a militia. Unnumbered, folios 44-53. 11/07/1839. CO 37/101/10. Sends a list of the despatches received during the half year ending 30 June 1839. Unnumbered, folios 54-59. 11/07/1839. CO 37/101/11. States views on the Assembly's rejection of the militia laws and the attachment of Bermudians to the Americans. Reiterates the advisability of introducing Maltese soldiers. Confidential, folios 60-73. 12/07/1839. CO 37/101/12. Reports granting Solicitor General Stewart six months leave of absence. No. 44, folios 74-77. 15/07/1839. CO 37/101/13. Gives a detailed explanation of the importance of building lighthouses. Explains that it is not only important to Bermudian trade but also essential to British interests. Encloses a chart showing where 39 out of 50 wrecks had occurred during the past 10 years as well as returns listing the wrecks from 1829 to 1839. No. 45, folios 78-99. 16/07/1839. CO 37/101/14. Reports naming the Bermudian corps the Queen's Bermuda Infantry. Encloses estimates of the contingent expense. No. 46, folios 100-109. 01/07/1839. CO 37/101/15. Suggests supplying non commissioned officers from the troops of the line for the Bermudian corps until they were sufficiently trained to supply their own commissioned officers. Encloses a memorandum from Lieutenant Colonel H Robinson concerning the matter. No. 47, folios 110-118. 26/07/1839. CO 37/101/16. Forwards a letter from Colonial Secretary Robert Kennedy returning his warrant of reappointment to be replaced by another warrant in the ancient form [warrant not included in volume; sent with the original despatch]. No. 48 duplicate, folios 120-123. 02/07/1839. CO 37/101/17. Forwards a printed Order of the Magistrates at the quarter session against the employment of prisoners except for the service of the prisons. Also see CO 37/100/45 No. 49, folios 124-128. 04/08/1839. CO 37/101/18. Forwards two local Acts from which it was argued that Reverend James G Murray was not legally qualified for promotion to the benefice of Smith's and Hamilton. Acts are: An Act for increasing the number of clergymen within these islands of 1820; and the 1827 amendment of this Act. No. 50, folios 131-151. 07/08/1839. CO 37/101/19. Reports that both the powder duty, which was levied on the tonnage of ships, and shipping fees were detrimental to Bermuda's trade. Encloses returns of ships from Britain which had brought supplies for the government and merchandise, a return of the fixed charges on the powder fund, and a return of shipping fees for 1838 (which belonged to the governor, colonial secretary and his deputy). Recommends the abolition of these duties and fees and expresses willingness to give up the governor's share of them. Also encloses correspondence concerning the matter. No. 51, folios 152-187. 20/08/1839. CO 37/101/20. Forwards and comments on the governor's address to the Assembly, with their replies, concerning Customs charges. Reports that the Assembly felt that the colony had not been fairly dealt with in the matter. No. 52, folios 188-202. 22/08/1839. CO 37/101/21. Forwards a copy of 1 April edition of the Bermuda Gazette as requested in Instructions to Governors [not included in volume]. No. 53, folios 203-206. 28/08/1839. CO 37/101/22. Reports that the Police Act will expire in 1840. Requests instructions as to its re-enactment or amendment. No. 54, folios 207-222. 27/08/1839. CO 37/101/23. Forwards and comments on a copy of the governor's speech given at the closing of the Legislature. States that he attaches great importance to the militia laws and considers the refusal of the Assembly to pass a militia law 'a warning not to be disregarded'. No. 55, folios 223-229. 30/08/1839. CO 37/101/24. Forwards thirteen Acts passed during the past Legislative session with a report by the Attorney General [Acts not included in volume]. Also encloses a copy of the messages from the governor to the Legislature, with comments on each message. Acts listed are: No. 1 'An Act settling an annual salary on Your Excellency Lieutenant Colonel William Reid Governor and Commander in Chief'; No. 2 'An Act to continue and amend the act entitled An Act to simplify and amend the mode of proceeding in the Court of General Assize and another Act entitled An Act in addition to the Act to simplify etc'; No. 3 'An Act to continue the Act entitled An Act to establish certain regulations for the performance of quarantine'; No. 4 'An Act to abolish certain oaths and affirmations and to substitute declarations in line thereof'; No. 5 'An Act to continue An Act entitled An Act providing a salary for the minister of the Presbyterian Church in Warwick Parish in these islands'; No. 6 'An Act for raising a public revenue for the support of the government of these Her Majesty's islands and to appropriate certain sums to the discharge of the expenses of government there in expressed'; No. 7 'An Act to authorise the appropriation of the appraised value (£16 17s 6d currency)of glebe land taken for improving the public roads in Paget Parish towards the repairs of the glebe house in said parish'; No. 8 'An Act to enable courts to abstain from passing sentence of death in certain capital felonies'; No. 9 'An Act for establishing a public library'; No. 10 'An Act for consolidating and amending the laws relative to larceny, and other offences connected therewith and malicious injury to property'; No. 11 'An Act to repeal the Act entitled An Act to restrain and punish vagrancy and to substitute other provisions instead thereof'; No. 12 'An Act relating to lights on eaves of buildings, within the town of Hamilton'; No. 13 'An Act to amend the act entitled an act to provide for the custom house establishment of Bermuda'. No. 56, folios 230-247. 30/08/1839. CO 37/101/25. Forwards a letter from Attorney General John Harvey Darrell stating that there was a need for jurisdiction in charges of murder on the high seas, in cases where the wounded party may have died in Bermuda. No. 57, folios 248-257. 30/08/1839. CO 37/101/26. Reports the difficulty of paying the £100 salary of the clerk and locker of the free port of St Georges. Suggests that a junior commissariat officer perform the duty, without pay. No. 58, folios 258-262. 31/08/1839. CO 37/101/27.

Asks for copies of the Poor Law and other Parliamentary reports. No. 59, folios 263-268. 04/09/1839. CO 37/101/28. Reports that a hurricane struck on 12 September and lasted for 18 hours leaving two thirds of the houses damaged, some unroofed. Adds that the loss to the naval branch was about £30,000. No. 60, folios 269-276. 19/09/1839. CO 37/101/29. Acknowledges the receipt of despatch No 16 of 3 July prohibiting the employment of convicts for private benefit. No. 61, folios 277-283. 23/09/1839. CO 37/101/30. Forwards an application from a Steam Baking

Company to be allowed to employ a convict engineer to repair their steam ships of war. The application is signed by Henry G Hunt, William B Smith, Thomas Hall, B J Tucker and William Burgess. Also encloses a minute of the governor's views on the subject. No. 62, folios 284-293. 25/09/1839. CO 37/101/31. Governor's quarterly service certificate. Unnumbered, folios 294-295. 01/10/1839. CO 37/101/32. Reports that every effort was being made to repair the damage done by the hurricane. No. 63, folios 296-299. 15/10/1839. CO 37/101/33. Forwards a report on the fortifications giving a comprehensive view of the military defences of the colony. Encloses a sketch showing Prospect Hill and Trimingham Hill as well as a printed plan of Bermuda showing the position of Prospect Hill. No. 64, folios 300-331. 28/10/1839. CO 37/101/34. Forwards returns of five military convicts sent to England on the Boadecia transport listing their names, crimes, sentences, and transfer to civil power information. No. 65, folios 332-335. 15/11/1839. CO 37/101/35. Forwards returns of retired allowances (nil), officers absent on leave (Archdeacon Spencer and Solicitor General Stewart), duties performed by a deputy (nil), and stipendiary magistrates (Police magistrates Thomas Hall and John T Fisher for Hamilton and St George respectively). Unnumbered, folios 336-341. 08/11/1839. CO 37/101/36. Reports that satisfactory progress was being made in training the recruits. Notes that all except one of the 34 recruits were 'coloured persons'. Reiterates that a non commissioned officer was needed from the sappers and miners as a schoolmaster for the military school. Encloses an extract from the regulations of the corps of Royal Engineers, page 42, as well as letters from Major General Sir Stephen R Chapman, A Emmett, and Lieutenant Colonel Robinson (letters were written in 1837). No. 66, folios 342-348. 17/11/1839. CO 37/101/37. Forwards letters on the subject of storms [letters not included in volume]. Unnumbered, folio 363. 16/11/1839. CO 37/101/38. Requests schoolbooks for the regimental school. Asks specifically for works published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. Explains that the students ranged in age from 14 to 25 and that the most advanced were learning practical geometry. No. 68, folios 364-367. 18/11/1839. CO 37/101/39. Forwards a letter from the Bishop of Newfoundland recommending Reverend S T Stowe and Reverend Samuel P Musson for two vacant benefices. No. 69, folios 368-372. 18/11/1839. CO 37/101/40. Reports making a chart of the recent storm and sending it to be engraved. Unnumbered, folios 373-374. 19/11/1839. CO 37/101/41. Acknowledges the receipt of despatch No 2 of 7 September relative to instructing colonial recruits in the duties of the sappers and miners and artillery. No. 70, folios 375-380. 25/11/1839. CO 37/101/42. Requests copies of the journals of the House of Commons for the purpose of 'assimilating' the proceedings of the House of Assembly. No. 71, folios 381-387. 25/11/1839. CO 37/101/43. Reports the resignation of Justice of the Peace Dr John Frith and the appointment of William Burgess to succeed him. Encloses a copy of the commission which was made in the Queen's name in lieu of the governor's. No. 72, folios 388-395. 13/12/1839. CO 37/101/44. Forwards an £18 15s 6d account for clothing supplied to five military convicts sent to England. Requests information as to the source of payment. No. 73, folios 396-405. 14/12/1839. CO 37/101/45. Reports on the number of and sites for the cells for military prisoners. No. 74, folios 406-415. 21/12/1839. CO 37/101/46. Asks that in the event of any military promotion that his name be submitted for the appointment of Aide de Camp to the Queen, which would give him the rank of colonel and make him eligible for the command of the troops. Separate, folios 416-419. 22/12/1839. CO 37/101/47. Forwards returns of the number of convicts to be sent to England in 1840 and the number required to be sent out to keep up the number needed for public works. Explains that greater care was required to prevent their being sent to England under a 'feigned plea of sickness'. No. 75, folios 420-424. 23/12/1839. CO 37/101/48. Urges a reduction in the prohibitive rate of duty charged on Bermuda palmetto plait imported into Britain. Encloses an account of the charges. No. 76, folios 425-430. 28/12/1839. CO 37/101/49. Reports a balance of £112 7s 2d currency from the estate of the deceased Thomas Hanser, a German, who was either in the navy or marines. Reports that the money would be escheated to the Crown, as his heirs could not be found. No. 77, folios 431-434. 29/12/1839. CO 37/101/50. Forwards the Pilot Act of 10 June 1835. Reports on the 'very imperfect state' of the pilot regulations and the necessity for their revision. Asks to be sent a copy of the pilot regulations from the Trinity Board. No. 78, folios 435-448. 30/12/1839. CO 37/101/51. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda during the half year ending 31 December 1838. Unnumbered summary, folios 452-453. 31/12/1838. CO 37/101/52. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London via Halifax on the mail boat Velocity on 13 January 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 454. 13/01/1839. CO 37/101/53. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London via Halifax on the mail boat Roseway on 18 January 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 455. 18/01/1839. CO 37/101/54. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London via Halifax on the mail boat Margaret on 7 March 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 456. 07/03/1839. CO 37/101/55. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London via Halifax on the mail boat Flamer by Major General Sir S R Chapman on 22 April 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 457. 22/04/1839. CO 37/101/56. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London via Halifax on the mail boat Flamer by Lieutenant Colonel Reid on 22 April 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 458. 22/04/1839. CO 37/101/57. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London on the Boadicea on 20 May 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 459. 20/05/1839. CO 37/101/58. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London on the Horatio on 8 June 1839. Unnumbered summary, folios 460-61. 08/06/1839. CO 37/101/59. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London on the Queen Victoria on 22 July 1839. Unnumbered summary, folios 462-63. 22/07/1839. CO 37/101/60. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London by the hand of Lieutenant Cavan via New York on the schooner Jane on 22 July 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 464. 05/08/1839. CO 37/101/61. Duplicate schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London on the merchant brigantine Queen Victoria through the British Consul at New York on 22 July 1839, the duplicates of which were sent by a mail boat via Halifax. Unnumbered summary, folios 462-63. 22/07/1839. CO 37/101/62. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London through the British Consul at New York on 6 September 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 467. 06/09/1839. CO 37/101/63. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London by the Halifax mail boat on 26 September 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 468. 26/09/1839. CO 37/101/64. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London on the Boadicea on 16 November 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 469. 16/11/1839. CO 37/101/65. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London on the Andromache frigate on 20 November 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 470. 20/11/1839. CO 37/101/66. Reports only one despatch was sent on the mail boat on 16 October 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 471. 16/10/1839. CO 37/101/67. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London through the British Consul at New York on 30 October 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 472. 30/10/1839. CO 37/101/68. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda for London by mail boat via Halifax on 26 November 1839. Unnumbered summary, folio 473. 26/11/1839. CO 37/101/69. Schedule of despatches sent from Bermuda during the half year ending 31 December 1839. Unnumbered summary, folios 474-479. 31/12/1839.

Notes:

AMDigital Reference:CO 37/101.

CO 37.