Descriptive Louisbourg-Related Finding Aids and Inventories Not Available at the Fortress of Louisbourg, By Eric Krause (Krause House Info-Research Solutions), 2004 to Present: CO 194

CO 194/ 13 [Reel B-211 ]
Page	Date	From whom (where)	To whom (where)	Contents or nature of the document
1-2v	4 June 1751	Sharpe, Court at Kensington		Order in Council. This relates to the draft of instructions intended for Francis William Drake. The only changes are that the 2^nd article was removed which directed that any offenders of capital crimes be directed to England, Article 27 was added in regards to the Fishing Admirals, and changes to article 70. There is a problem concerning the trying and executing of capital offenses. As the governor is required to consult the King, he needs to be able to keep the prisoners in prison. During this time, they are often rescued or escape due to the lack of proper confinement. Proper enforcement is rendered useless. The attorneys are considering granting the power of execution, except for treason, officers of his own ships, and trading ships. They are changing the 70^th article so it now reads: "And it is Our express Will and Pleasure that you do not suffer any of the Officers of Our Ships of War, or of any of the Trading Ships of Our Subjects which shall happen to be thereon, And you shall take especial care, that all Persons guilty of Treason be sent over to this Our Kingdom with Witnesses and sufficient Proof of the Crime along with them."
3	11 Jan. 1752	Francis William Drake, London		He has received an Account of the remains of the Stores in Placentia and he forwards the document to the Lords.
4	11 Sept. 1751	Francis William Drake, Edward Brown and Otho Hamilton, Placentia		[Enclosed with above] An inventory of Ordnance, Carriages, Ball, Powder, Arms and Ammunitions in the Garrison.
5	11 Sept. 1751	Otho Hamilton, Drake		[Enclosed with above] A Return of the Majors Company in the Honourable Colonel Edward Cornwallis' Regiment in the Garrison at Placentia.
5v-7v	Endorsements and clerical notes
8-9v	22 Nov. 1751	Francis William Drake, Boston (the Downs)	Lords of Trade	He sends the Answers to the Heads of Enquiry, the Scheme of the Fishery, the Remains of Stores in the Garrison at St. John's, and the Return of the Detachment of His Majesty's troops that are in garrison there. He also points out to Article 70 of Oyer and Terminer where one man was sentenced to death for rape.
10-23	Ditto	Ditto		[Enclosed with above] Answers to the Heads of Enquiry for the year 1751. Article 70 can be found from p14v-23.
24-27	Note from the PRO, "Folios 24-27 are blank and have not been copied."
27v-28	Ditto	Ditto		[Enclosed with above] Gneral Scheme of the Fishery for 1751
29-30v	6 Aug. 1751	Ditto	Ditto	[Enclosed with above] State and remains of ordnance Stores at St. John's. There you will find listed, Iron, Beds, Coins, Ladles, Wadhooks, Spunge heads and rammers, lanterns, entrenching tools, Wall pieces, and more.
31-31v	20 Aug. 1751	Ditto	Ditto	[Enclosed with above] A return of the Company of Cornwallis' regiment and of the Detachment of Artillery of St. John's, with Ferryland, Carbonear, and Trinity
32-33v	11 May 1751	Otho Hamilton, Placentia	Lords of Trade	Hamilton relates how civil government has progressed since 1747. Mr Watson struck all gentlemen in the service of justices of the peace here. Protestants here are now under the influence of the Papists, "a proud insolent race" [i.e., the Irish] Jekyll appointed the men he could find as justices. There appears to be a land dispute over a land once owned by Capt. Gledhill who died indebted to the Regiment on account of provisions he had overdrawn for. Hamilton tried to get a redress for that omission at "that court" but could "obtain no satisfaction nor a judgement." There is mention of one Conway, a "turbulent Irish Papist", who framed a petition against him. He is threatened and has no power to punish. He ask permission to be lodged with the Lt. Governor as the Governor is gone for eight months of the year. The safety of this place is in question. Note: there is also mention of Louisbourg and oaths to the French King and more.
34-34v	8 Nov. 1752	The Merchants of Poolr	Lords of Trade	A memorial against the permanent presence of a Governor. The merchants consider the Act of King William III sufficient to deal with issues of property, recover any debts, power of the Fishing Admirals. There are as many acts of violence in Newfoundland as there are in other colonies. "...as to the Number of Irish Papists...increasing your memorialists beg leave to observe that they are in general His Majesty's natural subjects that go from Ireland..." "That as to the Indians and the French Interest from the Canada Shore and Cape Breton...to procure Seal Oil, is what never came to Your Memorialists Knowledge and what they apprehend to be absolutely impracticable." They mention that fishing crews have been killed by small bodies of French and Indians while the crews were furring 300 miles north of St. Johns. This hasn't been prevented by the civil government.
35-36	26 Nov. 1752	The Merchants of Dartmouth		The increase of trade in Newfoundland has been owed to the Act of King William III and is sufficient to preserve proper government of this island. The act is sufficient to decide any disputes of property, the recovery of any debts, the Fishing Admirals are given sufficient power to decide all disputes or any matters related to the fishery. The memorialists believe that there are very few acts of violence or other offences of a public nature committed in Newfoundland. The Papists from Ireland have not shown evidence of not being well affected to the Crown or Government. Neither does their increase appear to be greater than that of Protestants. The Indians and French who are coming yearly from Cape Breton for Seal Oil is what never came to the memorialists' knowledge. "... to be attributed to some of the (supposed small number of) Native-Indians, inhabiting the Woods at a very great distance in the Island; where some of the People who employ themselves through the winter in catching furrs...dispersed in small bodies...cannot be ascribed to any defect in the present form of government..."
37-38v	Nov. 1752	Merchants of Teignmouth	Lords	The memorial states the same concerns over the form of government from which they have benefited. They apprehend the settlement of a Governor on the island.
39-39v	20 Dec. 1752	Merchants of Exeter		These merchants are also against a permanent settlement of a government in Newfoundland. They share the same concerns as previously stated.
40-41v	1 Feb. 1753 (received) 2 Feb. 1753 (read)	George Crowe, John Blackwall, John Masters, Jonathan Barnard, Michael Ballard, C.G. Moser, Christopher Kilby		Memorial on behalf of themselves and several other trades of Great Britain. "That the Inland and Northerly parts of the Island of Newfoundland in America, are inhabited by a numerous Tribe of Nation of Indians who subsist entirely by hunting and fishing; and who have hitherto had no communication or Commerce with any of His Majesty's Subjects, or nay other European, or other people whatever. That the cultivating a Civil Correspondence and opening a Trade and Commerce with these Indians for the Furr Skins, and Peltry, with which the inland parts of the said island do in great plenty abound in exchange for our Woolen, Iron, and other Manufactures, will greatly promote and advance the Commercial Interests of this Kingdom..." They are afraid the French might come in contact with this group, endanger the inhabitants, secure a fur trade. They ask that a letter patent be given to them only to secure a trade with said Indians.
42-42v	24 March 1753	Drake, Winchelsea in the Downes	Lords of Trade	A court of Oyer and Terminer was held at St. John's. Wilham Murphy was arraigned for the murder of William Quinn, convicted, and had sentence of death upon him for the same. He is waiting for His Majesty's confirmation for the carrying of his execution. He sends his papers.
43-44	24 March 1753	Ditto	Lords of Trade	[Enclosed with above] He also send a Return of the Troops in the garrisons of St. John's and Placentia.
45v-47	Ditto	Ditto	Ditto	[Enclosed with above] Scheme of the fishery for the year 1752.
47v-69	3 Oct. 1752	Ditto	Ditto	[Enclosed with above] Answers to the Heads of Enquiry for the year 1752 along with the proceedings of the Oyer and Terminer Court.
72-74	30 June 1752	Thomas Ord and Drake		[Enclosed with above] A return of Capt. Thomas Ord's Company of the Royal Regiment of Artillery in Newfoundland.
74v	5 Aug. 1752	Chris Alridge and Drake		[Enclosed with above] A Return of Capt. Alridge's Company belonging to Col. Peregrine Thomas Hopson's regiment of Foot and the Detachment of the Train of Artillery in Garrison at St. John's Newfoundland, Ferryland, Carbonear and Trinity.
75-78v	28 Sept. 1752	Drake	Ditto	[Enclosed with above] Report on the Fortifications of Fort William and the other Batterys for the Defence of the Harbour of St John's. Fort George.
79-82	30 Sept. 1752	Drake, John Masters (Storekeeper)	Ditto	[Enclosed with above] State and remains of Ordnance Stores at St. John's.
82v	Aug. 25 1752	Otho Hamilton, Drake		[Enclosed with above] A Return of the Majors Company in Col. Perregrine Hopson's Regiment of Foot at Placentia. A return of the Detachment of the Royal Regiment of Artillery at Placentia.
83-85	14 Oct. 1751	Edward Brown, Stephen Child, Otho Hamilton, Drake		[Enclosed with above] Account of Stores received at Placentia from England by Mr. Engineer Smelt.
88-95v	24 march 1753	Drake		[Enclosed with above] Copy of William Murphy's trial before the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer at St. John's Newfoundland for the murder of William Quinn and for which was sentenced to Death.
96-97v	8 May 1753	Earl of Holdeness, Whitehall		Capt. Hugh Bonfoy of the Penzance has been placed commander of the Convoy and also appointed as Governor. Please prepare a draft of instructions.
98-99	21 May 1753	Sharpe, Court at Kensington		Order in Council. Hugh Bonfoy Esq is to be governor, please send in a draft of instructions for his Commission.
100-101v	25 May 1753	Holderness, Whitehall		Letter stating that the King has extended his pardon of William Murphy for the murder of William Quinn.
102-103v	17 May 1753	King George, Holderness	William Moncton, recorder of our city of London	[Enclosed with above] Warrant for the royal pardon of William Murphy.
104-104v	21 July 1753	Sharpe	Lords	This is regarding Frederick Calvert, Lord Baltimore in the Kingdom of Ireland, Lord Proprietary of the Provinces of Maryland and Avalon in America. A tract of land was awarded to Sir George Calvert (Frederick's ancestor) and all islands ten leagues from the Eastern Shore, erected into a province called Avalon. John Bradstreet is to be governor of said province of Avalon .
105-111v	Ditto	Frederick Calvert, Lord Baltimore in the Kingdom of Ireland and Proprietary of Maryland and Avalon in America.		[Enclosed with above] Sir George Calvert bought a great piece of land in Newfoundland in 1623 in order to settle the land there, at his great expense. King James the first granted him a large piece of land in Avalon. Commencing from the Promontory between the ports of Fermewse and Aquafort and extending between 50 and 60 miles from South to North distant from Petty Harbour and from thence crossing westward to Placentia Bay. They are absolute Lords and proprietors of the said province "to be holden of His majesty and his Successors in Capite rendring a White horse as often as they should come into the said Province And a 5^th part of all gold and Silver Oar with all proper and necessary powers of Government, particularly to enact Laws with the Assent of the Freeholders and to appoint Deputies Judges and Officers and Ministers of Justice for the Tryal and Punishment of all offences (extending even to Life and Limb)..." He hopes that they will approve of John Bradstreet as governor of Avalon.
112	6 Jan. 1754	Hugh Bonfoy, Penzance Woolwich		As Governor, he is pleased to send in the Scheme of Fishery and Inhabitants of Newfoundland, with the Answers of the Heads of Enquiry.
113	Ditto	Ditto		[Enclosed with above] Scheme of the Fishery for 1753
115-126v	Ditto	Ditto		[Enclosed with above] Answers to the Heads. Article 70 states: no judges or commissioners of Oyer and Terminer have been apointed as there has not been any need. Pages 124-126 are blank. Clerical note is on 126v.
127-127v	20 Sept. 1753	W. Green, St. John's		[Enclosed with above] "A Report of the State of the Fortifications of Fort William and Fort George for the Defence of the Harbour of St. John's in Newfoundland."
130-134v	Begun the 1 Aug. 1753, signed the 28 Aug. 1753	John Massey, St. John's		[Enclosed with above] "A State and Remain of Ordnance and Stores for the Defence of St. John's...."
135-136v	3 Sept. 1753	Otho Hamilton, Placentia		[Enclosed with above] A Return of His Majesty's Garrison at Placentia (belonging to Colonel Hopson's Regiment) and Royal regiment of Artillery.
137-138v	1 Aug. 1753	Chris Aldridge and Bonfoy		[Enclosed with above] A Return of Capt. Aldridge's Company and Captain Ord's.
139-140v	26 July 1753	Thomas Ord, Bonfoy		[Enclosed with above] A Return of Captain Thomas Ord's Company of the Royal regiment of Artillery in the Island of Newfoundland.
141-142v	3 Sept. 1753	Andrew Lemercier, Bonfoy, Placentia		[enclosed with above] An Inventory of Ordnance, Carriages, Ball, Powder, Arms, and Ammunitions in this Garrison.
143-144	5 April 1754	Ryder and Murray	Lords of Trade	There is no evidence that Lord Baltimore should be in possession of Avalon. They have been out of possession since 1638. We are of opinion that it is not advisable to comply with the said petition.
146-148v	5 Dec. 1753	Chris Aldridge, St. John's	Capt. Hamilton, London	John Maddox, private, was jailed last month by Justices Keen for taking three potatoes out of a garden, where he laid twenty days before trial, no person appearing against him. Keen commits soldiers whenever he wants, does not inform the commanding officer. He had Maddox advertised as a deserter after he had not been here for the past fourteen days.
149-149v	21 Feb. 1755	Hugh Bonfoy, New Palace Yard		He transmits a general Scheme of the Fishery and of the inhabitants, state of the forts at St. John's and Placentia. And likewise the proceedings of the Court at Oyer and Terminer.
150-152v	Ditto	Ditto		[Enclosed with above] Scheme of the Fishery and Inhabitants for 1754.
153-170v	19 Sept. 1754	Ditto		[Enclosed with above] Proceedings of the Court of Oyer and Terminer for Sept. and Oct. 1754. [1]- Martin Doyle was accused of the murder of Robert Gonnop at Bay Bulls but found not guilty. Note: a quick glance at domestic life. [2]The case of Nicholas Hurly and Edmund McGuire in St. John's for assaulting John Worth, Constable. Andrew Murphy was doing a nightwatch with John Worth. The Constables asked what the soldiers were doing out between 1-2 am, and a fight ensued. As the principal Magistrate in this place has been assassinated in his bed, the inhabitants are in fear of attacks by people like Nicholas Hurly and Edmond McGuire. These individuals along with some others shall be removed from this island. [3] The Grand Jury calls Edmund McGuire, Matthew Hallunan, Robert Power, Eleanor Power, Lawrance Lamley, Paul McDonald, John Moody, John Munhall, Dennis Hawkins for the murder of William Keen. They were found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged. McGuire and Halluran after they are hanged will be shown in the Public place when and where the governor shall appoint.
171	Ditto	Ditto		[Enclosed with above] Edmund McGuire, Matthew Halluran, Robert Power and his wife Eleanor Power were hanged. The others, Lamley, McDonald, Moody, Munhall, and Hawkins were placed in confinement until His Majesty's pleasure.
171v-172v	Blank pages.
173-179v	4 Sept. 1754 (begun); 1 Oct. 1754 (ended)	Bonfoy		[Enclosed with above] A General Survey and remain of all the Ordnance and Ordnance Stores in and for the defence of His Majesty's Garrison at St. John's.
180-181v	23 Aug. 1753	Bonfoy, Otho Hamilton		[Enclosed with above] A return of the Garrison of Placentia, Muster rolls.
182-183v	23 Aug. 1754	Bnfoy, Lemercier		[Enclosed with above] An Inventory of Ordnance, Carriages, Ball, Powder, Arms, and Ammunition in this Garrisons, Placentia.
184-185v	29 Aug. 1754	Aldridge, Bonfoy		[Enclosed with above] Return of Capt. Aldridge Regiment at St. John's and of Capt. Ord's.
186-187v	22 Nov. 1754	Michael Gill	Hugh Bonfoy	[Enclosed with above] The governor asked Michael Gill to inform him of the behaviour of the Irish Roman Catholics during his departure. Gill reports that there are 60 less now and they are peaceful and happier inhabitants. They hope that Bonfoy will return to finish his work.
188-189v	May 27 1755	C. Amyard, Whitehall.	Lords	Capt. Richard Dorrill will be appointed to Command the convoy and to be governor. Please submit a Draft for his Commission.
190-191v	3 June 1755	Sharpe, Whitehall	Lords of Trade/Lords Justices	Order in Council. Richard Darrill is to be Governor. "The Lords Justices were...pleased...to approve....it is hereby ordered that Claudius Amyard and James Rivers Esq[rs], Secretarys to the Lords Justices do cause a Warrant to be prepared in the usual manner, for their Excellencys signing, in order to pass the said Draught of a Commission which is hereunto annexed, under the Great Seal of Great Britain.
192-193v	10 June 1755	Sharpe, Whitehall	Lords Justices in Council	Order in Council. No alteration was made to the Commission for Richard Dorrill, Esq[r] "...The Lords Justices are therefore pleased, with the Advice of His Majesty's Privy Council, to approve of the said Draught of Instructions (which is hereunto annexed) and to Order, as it is hereby Ordered, that Claudius Amyard and James Rivers Eqsr, Secretarys to the Lords Justices, do lay the same before them for their Signature.
194	22 Jan. 1756	Dorrill, Penzance (Woolwich)	Lords	The five men that were imprisoned for the murder of Mr. Keen are still in prison. Lamley, McDonald, Moody, Munhall, Hawkins. He encloses the accounts of the fishery. He has placed the island in a state of defence.
196v-198v	Ditto	Ditto		[Enclosed with above] State of the Fishery for 1755
199-201v	Ditto	Ditto		[Enclosed with above] An Account of Ordnance Stores Received Issued and Expended at St. John's.
202-203v	6 Oct. 1755	Ditto		[Enclosed with above] Office of Ordnance St. John's, "An Account of Ordnance Stores Sent from England in the Dorchester, James Hornby, master, for service of His Majesty's garrison here for the Current year, by order of the Board, dated 21 Feb. last."
204-205v	9 Oct. 1755	Dorrill		[Enclosed with above] "An Inventory of Ordnance, Carriages, Ball, Arms, & Ammunition in this Garrison" Placentia.
206-206v	8 Oct. 1755	Dorrill		[Enclosed with above] "An Effective Return of the Garrison of Placentia Consisting of Capt. John Hamilton's Company in Colonel Hopson's Regiment & a Detachment of the Train."
207-208v	11 Aug. 1755	Ditto		[Enclosed with above] A Return of Captain Christopher Aldrige's Company in the Honorable Colonel Hopson's regiment of Foot and the Detachment of the Train of Artillery in Garrison at St. John's, Newfoundland, Ferryland, Carbonear, & Trinity.
209	13 Oct. 1754	H. Bonfoy, Penzance (St. John's)		He is sending the deposition of Mr. Tobin, who was admitted as King's evidence at the trial of Edmund McGuire, Matthew Halluran, Robert Power, Eleanor Power his wife, Lawrence Lamley, Paul McDonald, John Mody, John Munhall, Dennis Hawkins, who were tried for the robbery and murder of William Keen, the Chief Magistrate of this island. Four were executed and five are awaiting judgement.
210-212v	7 Oct. 1754	Nicholas Tobin, St. John's		[Enclosed with above] Deposition of Tobin in relation to the murder of William Keen. McGuire wanted revenge for something that had passed between them. They wanted to steel money but only found a chest full of liquor. They returned later to force Keen to tell them where the money was and ended up killing him.
213	20 May 1756	Sharpe, Council Chamber Whitehall	Lords of Trade	Order in Council. The lords are requested to look into the petition of Worthington Brice, Ship Builder, to have full power over all mines in Newfoundland.
214-216v	May 1756	Worthington Brice		[Enclosed with above] He is requesting that he be granted right to dig and work any mines he shall discover.
217-218v	12 March 1757	W.Pitt, Whitehall	Lords of Trade	Captain Richard Edwards is appointed by the Lords of the Admiralty to command the ships and the King has recommended him to be Governor, please prepare a Draft for his Commission.
219-222v	20 Oct. 1757	Edwards	Lords of Trade	He is pleased to send the State of the Fishery, Return of the Troops, Account of the Arms and Ammunitions. "On my arrival at St. John's having received certain information of a strong Fleet of the Ennemy's Ships being arrived at Louisbourg, and understanding that the Fortifications in general was much out of repair...I ordered the Engineer to repair and complete the said battery with embrasures, pallisadoes & carry the works on, to receive two guns more, which is now finished....a small battery a fleur d'eau [at water's level] of three or four guns upon Chain Rock, a little above it, on the opposite side, would be a great addition to its strength and defence..."
223-223v	11 Aug. 1757	Ditto		[Enclosed with above] "State of the Fortification at Placentia as represented by Mr. Rich Dawson Engineer."
224	April 1750	Board of Ordnance		[Enclosed with above] Copy of part of the Honorable Board of Ordnance's Instructions to the Engineer of Placentia dated April 1750. This forbids the Engineer at Placentia to undertake any further works on the fort without asking the Board of Ordnance permission.
225-227	1 July 1757	N. Greeve, St. John's		[Enclosed with above] "Report of the State of the Fortifications for the Defence of the Harbour of St. John's. By N. Greeve First Engineer for St. John's, the 1^st of July 1757."
Volume 13 is continued on Reel B-212.
226-227	Same as above	Same as above		Same as above
228-228v	28 June 1757	Lemercier, Hamilton, Edwards		[Enclosed with above] State of Ordnance, carriages, Ball, Powder, Arms and Ammunitions for the Defence of the Garrison of Placentia.
230-232	24 June 1757	Mr Fran's Storekeeper at St. John's		[Enclosed with above] State of the Ordnance, Ball, Powder & Ammunition in and for the Defence of the Garrison at St. John's in Newfoundland.
233	18 Oct. 1757	Edwards, St. John's		[Enclosed with above] Return of the Officers and Master Artificiers belonging to His Majesty's Office of Ordnance at St John's... as reported to me by Mr. William Green, First Engineer the 21^st of June 1757. NB. The First Engineer left the place in Aug. last, being ordered to attend Lord Loudon [?]
233v	29 Oct. 1757	Capt. Aldridge, John Hamilton		[Enclosed with above] A Return of Captain Aldridge's Company, Royal regiment of Artillery, Captain Hamilton's Company in the Honorable Major General Hopson's Regiment of Foot.
234-235v	12 Aug. 1757	David Rogers		[Enclosed with above] State of Ordnance & Stores for the Defence of the Fortification at Trinity, Carbonear & Ferryland, in the island of Newfoundland.
236-237v	12 Oct. 1757/18 Oct. 1757	Edmund Scott Styltone, Edwards		[Enclosed with above] report of the State of Fortification at Carbonear, Trinity, and Ferryland.
238		Edwards		[Enclosed with above] An Account of Irish Roman Catholics that remained in the undermentioned places last winter, which are all Included in the Number of Inhabitants at hose places, in the general Scheme.
238v-239v	20 Oct. 1757	Edwards		[Enclosed with above] General Scheme of the Fishery for 1757
240-242v	12 Aug. 1757	Lt. Governor & Principal Officers of the Garrison at Placentia	Richard Edwards, Governor	[Enclosed with above] This concerns the state of the fortification and the Garrison at Placentia which is very weak. They are pressing for the erection of a fort where the Castle on the hill once stood.
243-244v	30 Sept. 1757	Richard Edwards, Michael Gill Colonel of Militia		[Enclosed with above] Militia is to be raised in St. John's, Torbay, Petty Harbour, and Quitty Vitty. Instructions are given to Michael gill on how to proceed.
245	End of Volume.