At a councell held at St Georges the 29th  July 1687.

Then present:

The Rt Honble. Sir Robert Robinson GoverE

Mr Joseph Stowe sworne and admitted one of the Councell.

The GovernE was pleased to move to the Councell their opinion touching the settling of rents on the Kings Lands their being paid no more than fifteen pounds of tobacco per annum for each share and performing duties at the Castle and forts. The Counsell are of the opinion that their ought to be meanes used to advance the rent of the Kings lands, upon the Governor moving what meanes ought to be taken gaineing the Kings Islands, the Counsell are of the opinion that the Governor may seise all such islands as are lookt upon to be the Kings in order to a troyall for them. The governor was pleased to move to the Counsell their opinion to the manning the Castle and Ffortes vizt five men besides the Lieut. at the Castle and four men at Pagetts fort. The Counsell advised that the Castle and forts be manned as the Governor shall think fitt. And the Assembly do take care for the reparation of the same.

Upon the petition of the widdow Caxley whose husband was lately drowned neare Bailies Bay, His Honour was pleased to allow her a Breef throughout these Islands for the relief of her and her children being fower.

The Counsell are to meet tomorrow to draw up their opinion and request to the GovernE touching vessels going to the wreck on the Ambrosia Bank.

-----------------------------------------------

By His Excellency Sir Robert Robinson Lnt. GovernE in Chief and Capt Genrll of the Castle, Ffortes, Malitia, and all other his Maties Subjects in the Somers Islands als Bermudas and Vice Admiral of the Seas.

To: Mr William Green, Mr Perient Trott, Mr Thomas Fforster, Mr Richard Stafford, Mr John Jauncey, Mr Joseph Stowe, Mr Josiah Pitt, Mr Charles Walker, Mr Thomas Outerbridge.

Whereas James Smailes hath often made his humble suit and application unto me & my Counsell by sending petitions setting forth divers complaints against severall persons inhabiting these Islands desiring also that a thorough knowledge and understanding may be had of the reasonableness and equity thereof to which end I have thought fitt with the advice of my Counsell to issue out this my Commission to you directed to authorize and impower you or any five to meet and assemble together at such time and place as you shall appoint then and there to make inquiry into all such complaints as you may judge the said James Smailes shall be capable to make appeare and maintain against any person or persons whatsoever. And likewise that at the same time you may make the like enquiry in to such matters & things as may or can be alledged agt. the said Smailes by the advice of party or parties according to the truth equitie & legality thereof and in order or hereunto you or any of you are to appoint fresh witnesses as shall be recommended to you by the said parties of either side and to take their examinations upon oath to the end I may have a true and perfect information hereof. And you are hereby required with all convenient speed to make an ample report of the whole matter herein appointed you under my hand and publique seals of these Islands the 20th day of July in the year of our Lord 1687 and in the third year of the Reigne of our soveraigne Lord James ye Second of England Scotland Ffrance & King.     signed   Robert Robinson.