Minutes of HM Council: 3 October 1739

At a Council holden by adjournment at the house of His Excellency the Govr the 3nd day of October 1739.

Present:
His Excellency Alured Popple Esq Govr
Andrew Auchinleck
Coll. Francis Jones
Coll. Nath Butterfield
Leond White Esqr
Saml Burrows Esqr
Nath Bascome Esqr
John Harvey Esqr
William Riddell Esqr

John Lewis attended this Board persuant to the order of His Excellency yesterday who being asked how he came to send his boat and hands out on Satturday last (to a sloop then hovering off and on these Islands) contrary to an order of His Excellency in Councill of the Sixteenth of August last past. He answered "That he being in hopes, the said sloop may be commanded by Capt James Dickinson or Capt Robert Robinson, who then were daily expected, did send his boats and hands to make enquiry, who commanded the said sloop, without any thot. whatsoever of the said order; therefore desired this board would not take it amiss of him, but excuse it, for that he would take notice and be cautious how he should proceed for the future." Upon which he was accordingly excused after being reprimanded for having broke through the said order which had occasioned a considerable expence to the country in fitting out two sloops.

Ordered that publication be made throughout these Islands for the Comanders of the several militia companys throughout the same, to put in due execution all and every the Acts of Assembly now in force relating to the Militias.

Three members of the House of Assembly attending present to his Excellency the address of their House in answer to his speech of yesterday; which was ordered to be read and was accordingly read in the words following:
vizt., By the General Assembly of Bermuda

To his Excellency the Governor

May it please rExcellency,

We heartily thank you for the great zeal your Excellency is pleased to express in yr speech to this house for the good of these Islands.

It is needless for the assurances your Excellency gives in endeavouring the safety of these Islands; since the experience we have already had, of your mild and just administration gives us the fairest prospect of a future happiness under so prudent Government.

Your Excellency proposing to have such laws made as may best suit carrying on a work wherein our common security is so much concerned, demonstrates that the welfare of these Islands is your deepest thought.

We assure your Excellency that our inalterable zeal is such, that nothing shall be wanting in us to grant supplies sufficient to carry on any work that may be necessary to support this Government with honour against all our Enemies.

However the preceeding Assembly were pleased to act in reference to what may be thought necessary laws, we at present, will endeavour with our utmost seduity to promote all such laws, as we think the service of our Country requires and so sincerely joyn with your Excellency that calmness and unanimity in all debates are the only means to effect the prosperity of these Islands.

By order of the house
Henry Tucker, Speaker