Snippets from the Actes des Etats - 1780-1800
Translated by Francis Le Cornu, Comments by Tony
Translated by Francis Le Cornu, Comments by Tony
Tightening up on absences
In 1780, various States members were absent:
Clement Picquet, Esquire, Chief Judge, who remains exempted due to illness.
Mr. David Hoequard, Esquire, Master Chief Judge, who remains exempted due to illness.
The Reverend Monsieur Charles De la Garde, Rector of the Parish of Grouville, is excused due to absence.
The Reverend Monsieur Jean Du Parcq, Rector of the Parish of St. Owen, is excused due to absence.
Apparently the number of absences had grown to the point where the States decided to ensure that anyone absent should, in effect, have a medical certificate: “The States have decided that a Member of the States, when prevented from acting due to illness, shall be required to send a certificate by oath.” It would be interesting if this applied today!
Militia – A Change of Uniform
“Today, the States have deemed it expedient to order that all members of the Militia shall, at their own expense, be provided with, by no later than the 20th of April next, a waistcoat and a pair of long white trousers, instead of the red coats and white stockings to which the inhabitants were previously subject; To this end, Monsieur the Lieutenant Governor is requested and authorized, along with the Colonels of the Regiments, to determine the details of this change.”
However, the States were mindful that not everyone could bear the cost:
“By way of addition to the Act of the States regarding the waistcoats and long trousers with which the inhabitants are to be provided for the service of the militia, it is ordered that those individuals who are not able to bear the cost themselves, a list shall be submitted by the Colonels for consideration by the respective Parish Assemblies, so that those judged incapable of providing for themselves may be supplied at the expense of their parish rate. The Colonels shall ensure that this part of the attire is made from the same material and cut to the pattern they have established with Monsieur the Lieutenant Governor so that everyone is uniformly dressed, with the cost of cutting being borne by the constables at the expense of their parishes.”
Traitorous Fires?
In 1778, France had declared war on Great Britain, no doubt hoping to profit from the American War of Independence. The following extract shows that some individuals were lighting fires at night, and it was suspected they were sending messages to French ships:
“On the representation of Monsieur the Lieutenant Governor, that for some time there have been night-time fires on the parts of the coast of this island that are the highest and closest to that of France, which have been responded to by others on the enemy's coast, giving rise to the fear that there may be individuals on this island who are engaged in the most criminal and dangerous correspondence with the enemy, detrimental to the security of the country and contrary to the interests of our benevolent sovereign to whom fidelity is owed, for which the inhabitants of this island have always been distinguished. These fires have been followed several times by movements in enemy navigation, leading to the conclusion that they are taking advantage of the intelligence provided in this manner, which is certain to be disastrous to the country by thwarting the most effective measures that can be taken for its defence:”
“Today, the States, in an extraordinary assembly, met to deliberate on the most appropriate means to halt such a dangerous course and to uncover the culprits of such a dark betrayal, have pledged and promise by this present act a reward of two thousand pounds, payable by order, to anyone who provides information about the person or persons engaged in this practice in a manner that leads to their conviction. In the event that the informers have been involved, they can also be assured of their pardon and non-disclosure. Likewise, individuals who may be involved in such a practice or merely know the authors thereof are hereby warned that their silence is extremely criminal when the salvation of the homeland calls upon them to come forward and that they are punishable by the laws for this negligence, as consenting to and favouring treason. This shall be published both in the usual place and in the parishes and posted in all guardhouses around the island so that everyone may become aware and be encouraged to be vigilant and make every possible effort to apprehend and discover the culprits. The Rectors are also requested to read this from the pulpit in their parish churches to the people.”
Wartime Preparations
Meanwhile although hostilities had not affected Jersey directly, preparations against invasions continued. Public transport for troops and munitions had become difficult because the public carters who undertook such tasks were dragging their feet. So the States were forced to issue orders which forced them to do so – or face a heavy fine:
“On the application of Monsieur the Lieutenant Governor, who has noted that the service of His Majesty for the defense of the island is often delayed and harmed by the refusal of public carters to provide the necessary transportation for garrisons and troops in different parts of the island, as well as for the transport of war munitions to suitable locations, the States, having considered the matter, have deemed it expedient to order, for the advancement of His Majesty's service and the public good, that from the date of the publication of this ordinance and upon the notification of the Constable or Centenier of the parish, effective immediately and in urgent cases upon immediate notification, public carters shall be obliged to provide the transportation required for the defense of the island or for garrisons or troops stationed in the country. They shall be paid a reasonable fee in accordance with custom, under penalty, for those who refuse, of a fine of twenty pounds for each refusal, one-third to the King and the other two-thirds to be applied to the defense of the island. This shall be published in both the usual marketplaces and the parishes of this island so that no one may claim ignorance as an excuse.”
Training of the militia up to proper standards was undertaking by army trainers. But where should they stay, and who should bear the cost?
“The States, having considered that it will be necessary to provide quarters in various parishes for the individuals who are to be sent to the country to teach the exercises of artillery and infantry to the militia, according to the plan established by the Act of the States of the 25th day of October last year, have ordered today that the individuals appointed to teach the aforementioned exercises shall be provided with quarters by the Constables in the various parishes where they are appointed by Monsieur the Governor, as close as possible to the locations where the exercises will be conducted, so that these quarters may be provided by the licensed tavernkeepers, bakers, and butchers throughout the island. To this end, the Constables are responsible for providing these quarters and ensuring they are paid according to the aforementioned arrangement.”
Concluding Remarks
At the start of 1780, the close proximity of Jersey to France, and the declaration of war by France against the English, saw Jersey move to a war footing. What we can see in the Acts of the States for this period are the concerns that some inhabitants for Jersey may have allegiance to France, and even be communicating with them. And we also have a fascinating glimpse of the nuts and bolts of preparation and how that was set out to work - most often with the bill being footed from the Parish Rates.
In 1780, various States members were absent:
Clement Picquet, Esquire, Chief Judge, who remains exempted due to illness.
Mr. David Hoequard, Esquire, Master Chief Judge, who remains exempted due to illness.
The Reverend Monsieur Charles De la Garde, Rector of the Parish of Grouville, is excused due to absence.
The Reverend Monsieur Jean Du Parcq, Rector of the Parish of St. Owen, is excused due to absence.
Apparently the number of absences had grown to the point where the States decided to ensure that anyone absent should, in effect, have a medical certificate: “The States have decided that a Member of the States, when prevented from acting due to illness, shall be required to send a certificate by oath.” It would be interesting if this applied today!
Militia – A Change of Uniform
“Today, the States have deemed it expedient to order that all members of the Militia shall, at their own expense, be provided with, by no later than the 20th of April next, a waistcoat and a pair of long white trousers, instead of the red coats and white stockings to which the inhabitants were previously subject; To this end, Monsieur the Lieutenant Governor is requested and authorized, along with the Colonels of the Regiments, to determine the details of this change.”
However, the States were mindful that not everyone could bear the cost:
“By way of addition to the Act of the States regarding the waistcoats and long trousers with which the inhabitants are to be provided for the service of the militia, it is ordered that those individuals who are not able to bear the cost themselves, a list shall be submitted by the Colonels for consideration by the respective Parish Assemblies, so that those judged incapable of providing for themselves may be supplied at the expense of their parish rate. The Colonels shall ensure that this part of the attire is made from the same material and cut to the pattern they have established with Monsieur the Lieutenant Governor so that everyone is uniformly dressed, with the cost of cutting being borne by the constables at the expense of their parishes.”
Traitorous Fires?
In 1778, France had declared war on Great Britain, no doubt hoping to profit from the American War of Independence. The following extract shows that some individuals were lighting fires at night, and it was suspected they were sending messages to French ships:
“On the representation of Monsieur the Lieutenant Governor, that for some time there have been night-time fires on the parts of the coast of this island that are the highest and closest to that of France, which have been responded to by others on the enemy's coast, giving rise to the fear that there may be individuals on this island who are engaged in the most criminal and dangerous correspondence with the enemy, detrimental to the security of the country and contrary to the interests of our benevolent sovereign to whom fidelity is owed, for which the inhabitants of this island have always been distinguished. These fires have been followed several times by movements in enemy navigation, leading to the conclusion that they are taking advantage of the intelligence provided in this manner, which is certain to be disastrous to the country by thwarting the most effective measures that can be taken for its defence:”
“Today, the States, in an extraordinary assembly, met to deliberate on the most appropriate means to halt such a dangerous course and to uncover the culprits of such a dark betrayal, have pledged and promise by this present act a reward of two thousand pounds, payable by order, to anyone who provides information about the person or persons engaged in this practice in a manner that leads to their conviction. In the event that the informers have been involved, they can also be assured of their pardon and non-disclosure. Likewise, individuals who may be involved in such a practice or merely know the authors thereof are hereby warned that their silence is extremely criminal when the salvation of the homeland calls upon them to come forward and that they are punishable by the laws for this negligence, as consenting to and favouring treason. This shall be published both in the usual place and in the parishes and posted in all guardhouses around the island so that everyone may become aware and be encouraged to be vigilant and make every possible effort to apprehend and discover the culprits. The Rectors are also requested to read this from the pulpit in their parish churches to the people.”
Wartime Preparations
Meanwhile although hostilities had not affected Jersey directly, preparations against invasions continued. Public transport for troops and munitions had become difficult because the public carters who undertook such tasks were dragging their feet. So the States were forced to issue orders which forced them to do so – or face a heavy fine:
“On the application of Monsieur the Lieutenant Governor, who has noted that the service of His Majesty for the defense of the island is often delayed and harmed by the refusal of public carters to provide the necessary transportation for garrisons and troops in different parts of the island, as well as for the transport of war munitions to suitable locations, the States, having considered the matter, have deemed it expedient to order, for the advancement of His Majesty's service and the public good, that from the date of the publication of this ordinance and upon the notification of the Constable or Centenier of the parish, effective immediately and in urgent cases upon immediate notification, public carters shall be obliged to provide the transportation required for the defense of the island or for garrisons or troops stationed in the country. They shall be paid a reasonable fee in accordance with custom, under penalty, for those who refuse, of a fine of twenty pounds for each refusal, one-third to the King and the other two-thirds to be applied to the defense of the island. This shall be published in both the usual marketplaces and the parishes of this island so that no one may claim ignorance as an excuse.”
Training of the militia up to proper standards was undertaking by army trainers. But where should they stay, and who should bear the cost?
“The States, having considered that it will be necessary to provide quarters in various parishes for the individuals who are to be sent to the country to teach the exercises of artillery and infantry to the militia, according to the plan established by the Act of the States of the 25th day of October last year, have ordered today that the individuals appointed to teach the aforementioned exercises shall be provided with quarters by the Constables in the various parishes where they are appointed by Monsieur the Governor, as close as possible to the locations where the exercises will be conducted, so that these quarters may be provided by the licensed tavernkeepers, bakers, and butchers throughout the island. To this end, the Constables are responsible for providing these quarters and ensuring they are paid according to the aforementioned arrangement.”
Concluding Remarks
At the start of 1780, the close proximity of Jersey to France, and the declaration of war by France against the English, saw Jersey move to a war footing. What we can see in the Acts of the States for this period are the concerns that some inhabitants for Jersey may have allegiance to France, and even be communicating with them. And we also have a fascinating glimpse of the nuts and bolts of preparation and how that was set out to work - most often with the bill being footed from the Parish Rates.
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