Minutes of HM Council:  22 October 1739

Att a Councill  holden at the house of Coll. John Butterfield of Pembrook Tribe on Monday the 22nd Day of October 1739.

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

His Excellency the Govr. laid before this Board a paper vizt.,
Sir:   Ye underwritten persons are elected and chosen to serve as Representatives for the Tribe at ye next Generall Assemble persuant to ye Ritts as witness my hand this 11th October 1739 Mr Jon. Outerbridge
Mr John Hubbard
Mr Thos. Patton
Mr George Ball
Mr John Stone

And asked the opinion of the Committee whether the sd. papers was a proper and legall return or not the Committee answered it was no return. Whether his Excellcy. should take notice of such said Outerbridge before the meeting of the Assembly or let it alone to that time.

The advice of the Council is that his Excellency take notice of the said paper and write to the said Outerbridge censoring the same.

His Excellcy. acquainted the Councill that he had lately heard that Captain Ephraim Gilbert, Pilot of the West End, had removed and turned Mr Nathl Bethell from Acting any longer under him as an assistant Pilot for no other reason as he conceived than for that on his having accepted of a Commission from the Collector of his Majesties Customs to Act as Searcher and waiter of the Customs at and for the West End of these Islands and desired their advice therein who Bethell be had on the first Tuesday in November next and that both parties have notice to attend in St George's accordingly.

The season of the year being so far advanced that there cannot be so much reason to apprehend any danger from Privateers as when the order in relation to alarms was made the 16th August last the Councill proposed that an alarm should not be raised but upon sight of two Topsail Vessells and one Sloop or four vessells of any sort, and the Govr. approving thereof gave directions that the publication relating to alarms should be altered accordingly.

His Majesty the King of Great Britain having thought fit to allow and direct his Governors in America to grant commissions of Marque and Reprisals against the Spaniards, his Excellcy. the Govr. by advice of the Council has thought it necessary to publish the following orders to prevent any danger that may happen to these Islands or the Inhabitants thereof from any privateers that may be about this coast.

Vizt. That no Person or persons now residing in or belonging to these Islands do under any colour or pretence whatsoever go to the fishing Bank commonly called the Newledge in or with any Shallop, boat or other vessell or remain on the Old Ledge or any other part or place without the ledge Flatts after the setting of the sun.

That no person or Persons do presume to go on board speak with or hale any vessel at sea without forst having received particular orders for the purpose from such officer as may have power to grant the same, the Proper Pilots only excepted.

That no person or persons bearing arms shall be excused upon an alarm under pretence of being a-ffishing but shall be fined for his or their non-appearance at the calling over the muster role or list persuant to an Act of Assembly in such case made and provided.

That an alarm be immediately raised upon light of any distant fire or fires at sea in the night upon sight of two topsail Vessels and one Sloop or other vessell or upon sight of four vessels of any sort fishing boats only excepted, which alarm shall be made known by firing two guns and beats of a Drum and that all men bearing arms are thereupon to repair with their arms and ammunition to such a place of rendez-vous as their respective commanders shall order and direct.

That no vessell whatsoever be permitted to pass any fortification of these Islands in the night-time unless by express order from the Govr.

That whosoever shall disobey or make any breach of any of the aforesaid orders and directions he or they shall be prosecuted with the utmost severity of the law for such his or their contempt.