Minutes of HM Council: 8 August 1738

(King George II)
Alured Popple, Governor of Bermuda

Att a Council at the house of his Excellency the Govr Monday the 7th day of August 1738.

Present: His Excellency Alured Popple Govr
Andrew Auchinleck Esq.
Coll Francis Jones
Coll John Butterfield,br> Coll Nath Butterfield
Leonard White Esq
Robert Dinwiddie Esq
Samuel Burrows Esq

This day was presented to his Excellency, the Governor in Council the address of the Honourable the Council to his said Excellency's speech of yesterday which was read in the words following vizt.

"May it please your Excellency.
We your Excellency's Council take this opportunity of address to you.
As His Majesty's care of all his subjects is very conspicuous, so he has given us a great instance thereof in appointing you our Governor and Commander in Chief for we have sufficient reasons to believe from your aggreeable speech that you have nothing more at heart than His Majesty's interest and the welfare of these Islands, it will be therefore our duty as well as interest (which all men naturally consult) to concurr in all measures that contribute thereto and we have good reasons to hope that our endeavors will prove effectual for the ends intended.
You have given every reasonable instance of your care in procuring a supply of war-like stores for which we now return you our hearty thanks.
We also acknowledge the obligation we lie under for your design in applying the powder money for the use of the magazines which as you justly observe has been misapplied.
We assure your Excellency that we will join in all such measures as may contribute to your case and supporting the Dognity of your Government as far as lies in our power and the present situation of the Islands."
signed by order of the members of Council. S Smith, Clk.

Three members of the Assembly attending presented to His Excellency the Governour in Council the answer of their House to His Excellency's speech of yesterday which was read in the words following vizt.
"To His Excellency the Governour
The answer of the General Assembly to his Excellecny's speech
May it please your Excellency
The great character of your Excellency bearsd in the world gives us such a prospect of future happiness that we cannot help expressing our grateful acknowledgement for his Majesties choice in appointing you our Governour and to assure that is with the greatest pleasure we take the opportunity of congratulating you on the same and safe arrival of yourself, Lady, and family amongst us.
His Majesty's Royall prerogative and the severall rights and privileges of his loyall subjects, we flatter ourselves will always be looked upon by you as it is by us, inseperable.
We are thoroughly sensible of your Excellency's goodness in applying to his Majesty for the supply of stores which are come so seasonably to us and we shall readily join in addressing His Majesty and returning him thanks for the same.
Your Excellency's generosity in applying the powder money to its proper use contributing every thing in your power for the advantage of these islands lays us under the deepest obligation and cals for our greatest thanks.
His Majesties instructions which your Excellency hath been pleased to lay before us, for our consideration put us under the greatest difficultys occasioned by the low ebb and miserable conditions ot the inhabitants of these Islands which deprive us entirely of supporting your Excellency according to your desert and our inclination; yet no care or industry will be wanting in us to maintain your Excellency's Dignity and Government."
Nathaniel Bascome, Speaker

Three members of the house of Assembly, attending presented to this Board a note of their houses for the Ballance of Nathaniel Bascome Esqrs. accounts of the horse tax to be paid unto the hands of Nathaniel Butterfield Esq Public Treasurer of these Islands (he receiving and paying the same gratis) for concurrence which was accordingly concurr'd too and ordered to be returned.

Adjourned to the afternoon.