The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1827

19th century Jersey
From the Jersey Loyalist: 1827

The front page of the first edition of the Jersey Loyalist on 5 September 1825

Our history of 19th century Jersey from newspaper cuttings has started with the Jersey Loyalist, an English-language newspaper published from 1825 to 1831.

This was a time of great growth and diversification in Jersey, fuelled by an influx of English immigrants which saw the population increase by 17 per cent between 1821 and 1826.

This page is part of a project launched by Jerripedia in 2024 to chronicle the history of Jersey through the 19th century using news cuttings from most of the newspapers published during those 100 years.
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Main index page
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1825
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1826
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1828
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1829
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1830
The 19th century in newspaper cuttings - Loyalist 1831

The Jersey Loyalist launched in 1825, seemingly as much as a political opponent of the British Press, which had launched three years earlier, as a truly commercial venture. This was denied in the introduction on page one of the first edition, but scarcely an edition was published in the next six years without the competitor's coverage of one event or another being roundly criticised.

The British Press, later to become the British Press and Jersey Times, had the last laugh, outliving the Loyalist by almost 80 years.

The Jersey Loyalist was typical of early island newspapers, in that it contained very little local news. The majority of its news columns was devoted to London news, copied apparently verbatim from national newspapers received in the island some days after publication, and focusing on parliamentary affairs, which would have had little or no meaning to island residents, save for the more affluent and better educated immigrant English families which had swelled the island's population in the first quarter of the century.

Local news was restricted largely to coverage of States sittings and the work of the Royal Court, although tragic accidents, both on land and at sea, were also included in the mix. The Loyalist was not highly political, but did allow its readers to voice their opinions in frequently very lengthy letters to the editor, more often than not involving the British Press and Jersey Times.

Our selection of news items which follows has been made in an attempt to paint a picture of as many aspects of island life as possible in 1827.

January

Banknote issue

The subject of the States proposed banknote issue, which often dominated the news last year, returned at the final sitting. The States Act had been vetoed by the Lieut-Governor. The Bailiff announced that he had received a letter from the Privy Council inviting the States to petition for a hearing at which all the parties interested in the matter would be heard. It was agreed that the petition should be drafted.

Poultry thief

James Jackman, who had been arrested a few weeks ago for having robbed poultry at Rozel Cottage, was banished from the island for three years, the Royal Court having granted his request to leave the country to avoid being prosecuted.

Dreadful fire

We are sorry to announce the total destruction by fire of the house and adjoining offices belonging to John Pinel, and occupied by Charles de Carteret, near First Tower last Friday night.

The entire of the household furniture, farming implements, hay, corn, etc, were consumed. Three cows and a horse also fell prey to the devouring element. Part of the furniture was insured but the house and premises were not. The fire raged with such dreadful fury that it was impossible for any human exertions to extinguish it. All that could be done was to prevent the adjoining houses taking fire, which by the timely assistance of a few individuals was effected.

Mr Pinel's loss was found to amount to 10,000 francs and the Royal Court ordered a few days later that a general collection should be made throughout the 12 parishes, as is customary in such cases, for his relief.

Duke of York

The funeral of Prince Frederick, Duke of York, brother of King George IV, was given extensive coverage in the Loyalist edition of 29 January. The following week the States had to decide between the Address prepared by the Dean, and a second by the Rev Edouard Durell. They chose the Dean's, which had been commissioned by the Bailiff. The two Addresses were published in full in the next edition.

Melancholy shipwreck

We have received, by the way of France, the melancholy intelligence of the shipwreck of the Silk, Capt Nicolle, belonging to James Ennis. The whole of the crew, seven in number, with five passengers, have been drowned, their bodies having been found on the coast of France.

The Silk was loaded with coals and iron, and sailed from Bristol a few weeks ago. The vessel was insured, but we have heard that the cargo was not. Mr Deslandes sailed this morning for France, in order to ascertain if it be possible to raise the vessel and save part of the cargo.

Bakery fire

On the 13th a fire broke out in the bakehouse of Mr Kelleway, baker, Waterloo Street, which was totally consumed. By the timely assistance of a large concourse of people, and the engines being on the spot almost as soon as the fire was discovered, the adjoining premises were preserved from the devouring element. The premises were insured.

Childrens' deaths

Saturday last, at St Aubin, a girl of 11 years of age, named Dart, being at play near the fireside, her clothes took fire, and she was so dreadfully burnt that she expired the next day, in the most excruciating agonies.

The same day a child one year old, son of Mr Le Gresley, of George Street, was also burnt to death.

A new-born child was found dead on 15 February in La Chasse. An inquest was held the next day and returned a verdict that the child was still-born.

States accounts

The States heard on 24 February that the deficit in their accounts had worsened. There was a dificit of 15,000 francs, on top of 100,000 francs in notes payable, giving a total negative balance of 115,000 francs - 35,000 francs worse than the previous year.

Bouley Bay pier

After months of wrangling in the States over whether a pier should be built at Bouley Bay, it was announced on 21 February that Abraham de La Mare had contracted to build the pier for the sum of £3,450. The ongoing debate had centred first on whether there was any need for a pier, and second, whether given the current state of the island's finances, the project could be afforded.

March

Burial ground layout

It was announced that a meeting of several of the principal inhabitants of St Helier had been held at the Parsonage at the request of the Rector to advise on the use of the new cemetery at Green Street. Resolutions shown here were adopted and have been accepted by the Rector.

The Loyalist remarked that not one of the five Jurats resident in the parish, nor the Constable, were present at what was described as a 'thinly attended' meeting. It went on to suggest that the meeting had been illegal, under a 1797 Act of the States. 'No meetings can be held here but by the constituted Authorities'. The newspaper went on to suggest that the King's Procurator, Thomas Le Breton, should consider a prosecution for a violation of the law.

Crew rescued

On 6 March the John and Mary arrived from Plymouth after an extremely stormy and dangerous passage, with about 40 passengers, among whom was Capt Laurent, of the late French Chasse Maree, the Superb, with his crew, five men and a boy. That vessel, which was bound from Rouen to Bordeaux, sailed in ballast from Honfleur on 16 February.

The next day there came on a violent gale, during which she sprang a leak, and for the four following days it was only with the greatest exertions that she could be kept afloat. On the 21st, when about 25 to 30 leagues off Ushant, they discovered a sail, at some distance, and immediately made a signal of distress. That vessel was the Bittern, commanded by Lieut Rochfort, RN.

It blew then a strong gale with a heavy sea, notwithstanding which, that humane and active officer succeeded in saving the whole crew.

Burial ground inauguration

An inauguration ceremony was held at the new Green Street ceremony on 26 March. The Lieut-Governor, Dean, some rectors, two Jurats and some of the principal public functionaries of the island had gathered at the Town Church, and set out to walk to the cemetery at 12 o'clock.

Having advanced to the centre of the ground, they formed a circle and were surrounded by a considerable number of the inhabitants of all classes, 'to witness this religious and impressive solemnity'.

Shipwright's accident

On 20 March shipwright Thomas Le Clerc was working on the Rowcliffe, which was being built at Havre des Pas, when he lost his footing on scaffolding and fell from 20 to 30 feet. He was dreadfully bruised, with blood gushing from his nose, mouth and ears.

This was the second accident of the kind that Le Clerc had met with in the past eight months. Drs Fixott, Quesnel and King was called and, although he is still very weak, confident hopes were entertained of his complete recovery.

Shipwreck

On 28 March during a heavy gale, the cutter Dorcas, from Rochester, with five men on board, was wrecked on rocks below Seymour Tower. The whole of the crew are supposed to have perished. The corpses of two, Miller and Richards, were picked up in St Clement's Bay with nothing on but woolen shirts. It is supposed that the sufferers had stripped to attempt to swim ashore.

The following week three more crewmen were found on the shore and were buried in Grouville churchyard. The week after the bodies of the captain and a further crew member were found in the rocks off La Rocque.

It was reported that some fishermen who were looking after their nets close to the Dorcas when it foundered heard the cries of the crew and saw flashes of fire on board, probably from burning gunpowder as a signal of distress. The superstitious fishermen attributed this to some supernatural cause , panicked and fled. But for their mistake it is probable that most, if not all the crew, might have been saved.

April

Child beggars

Elias Moslin was charged with sending out his children to beg, and with encouraging them to pilfer. Moslin has a family of eight children, whom he is unable to maintain. The particulars of the case employed the COurt some time, and it was finally resolved to send them out of the island, and thus enable them to return to their parish in England.

Shipwright's fall

On 2 April shipwright Joshua Gavey fell from scaffolding on the side of the schooner Rose in St Helier Harbour and broke his thigh. He remained in a precarious state but having been treated by Dr Fixott, it was hoped that he would ultimately recover.

Constable's present

An elegant gold snuff box of exquisite workmanship, was received from London last week, by the Ariadne steamer. It was ordered by T de Gruchy, a Vine Street silversmith. It will be presented to Edward Nicolle, Constable of St Helier, by the numerous class of tradesmen in St Helier, as an acknowledgment of their high sense of the manly and independent conduct of that virtuous public functionary in defrending the rights of his fellow citizens. The presentation was made on 29 May.

Lady's death

On 15 April Elizabeth Simonet, nee Le Peltier, mother of Peter Simonet, of Radier House, died at the age of 84. That truly respectable lady had supported, throughout a long and painful illness, the increasing infirmities of age, with all the firmness and resignation of a Christian. During her long career, Mrs Simonet had been universally beloved and esteemed for her unaffected piety, and the unostentatious benevolence of her character. She carries to the grave the regrets of her numerous and respectable family; and we fear that to many who were the objects of her charities, the loss will be almost irreparable.

In consequence of some difference of opinion between the Dean and her family about the new burying ground, her remains were deposited in St Saviour's Churchyard.

Harbour dues

It is commonly reported that the French Ambassador in London has made representations to Government concerning the duties which had been levied on French vessels from 5 April 1826 to the end of last year. It is expected that our States will have to refund about £800, the difference between the late and the present duties.

Navy appointment

A meeting of the Navy officers resident in this island took place on the 28th at the British Hotel, for the purpose of voting an address of congratulation to HRH the Duke of Clarence, on his appointment as Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom. Eleven captains, 21 lieutenants and other officers were present.

Ship run down

The Io, Capt Le Gallais, from Jersey to Cardiff, was run on board on 22 April by an unknown brig, and immediately filled with water. One man called l'Hotellier was drowned. The remainder of the crew, after six hours on the wreck, were taken off by the Ann and Mary and landed at Padstow. The crew of the Io hailed the brig after the accident, for a boat, but no attention was paid to their request. The Io came ashore on the Cornish coast three days later and broke up. Part of the cargo was saved.

May

Vraic offence

Peter Le Marquand was convicted on 5 May of collecting seaweed at night, contrary to regulations in the code of laws. He was fined.

Horse cruelty

John Philips, a town carter, was prosecuted for cruelty to his horse. He was one day 'beating one of his horses in a most shocking manner' and was seen by the King's Procurator, who directed a Centenier to lodge a complaint.

Mr Hammond 'made an ingenious speech for the defendant' the substance of which was that there was no law against cruelty to brute animals and his client was entitled to an acquittal.

The Court ruled that Philips' conduct was such an outrage to common decency, and to the feelings of the inhabitants of the town, that he was a person unfit to have the management of a horse, and banned him from driving one in future.

Lieut-Governor's holiday

His Excellency Sir Colin Halkett, with his Ladfy and part of their establishment, embarked on the 10th on the Ariadne for St Malo. They were ealuted at their departure by the guns of Elizabeth Castle and, on their arrival, the same afternoon, at St Malo, by the forts. They are on an excursion to Tours and banks of the Loire, and it is expected, will be absent for some weeks. Col Touzel has been sworn in as Deputy Governor.

Ship launched

On the 9th the 158-ton brig Abcona, built by Mr Silk, was launched from his yard and towed into St Helier Harbour. Messrs Pellier and Falle are the owners.

Child's death

On the 10th, a child of Mrs Marett, a publican in Halkett Place, drank a tumbler full of brandy, which had inadvertently been left on a table. The effects were immediate and, notwithstanding that every medical assistance was afforded, the unfortunate child, a boy of about four, was seized with a kind of stupor and expired the next morning in the greatest agony.

Farmer injured

On 21 May farmer George Le Masurier, living near Town Mills, was helping some men to drag a boat on his premises when he had the misfortune to get entangled under the boat. One of his legs was broken in two places and the other severely bruised. He was attended by Dr Fixott.

Wife beating

William Gallan was brought before the Royal Court charged with cruelly beating his wife. The police had interfered and Gallan had insulted Centenier Le Quesne and threatened to stab him. Gallan could not find 600 francs security for his good and peaceable behaviour and was sent to prison until he can be sent back to his parish in England.

Phaeton accident

On 31 May Mrs Johnson, of Patrimoine, St Lawrence, accompanied by Mrs Chamberlain, was descending Mont Felard in a phaeton when the horse took fright and ran down the hill full gallop. He stumbled and the two women were thrown out and severely hurt. They were carried to the house of A Vibert, close by, and Drs Jones and Quesnel were sent for. The two women are now in a fair way of recovery. The horse, a very valuable animal, was also much hurt, and the phaeton was dashed to pieces.

Onion exports

There was considerable concern at this time that onions imported from France were being falsely shown as Jersey produce before export to England. John Le Huquet was one of the growers taken to Court accused of falsely swearing before Jurats that his onions had been grown in the island. He was unanimously acquitted by the Grand Jury, and his brother Thomas was also set free when the King's officers declined to prosecute him.

June

Bakehouse fire

On 2 June a fire broke out in the cellar adjoining the bakehouse of Mr Duchemin in lower Pier Road. The whole of that part of the premises, which were insured, was destroyed. By the exertions of the inhabitants of the town and the engines being immediately brought on the spot, the dwelling as well as adjoining houses were preserved.

Theatre opening

We are happy to inform the lovers of dramatic entertainment that our Theatre was opened on Monday last, with very favourable auspices, under the direction of Mr Harvey, to whom much praise is due for his spirited exertions in selecting such a combination of scenic talent in order to render this place of instructive and rational amusement as attractive as possible.

Our readers will be glad to know that the Theatre has undergone a thorough repair, is fitted up with additional accommodations and looks remarkably well.

July

Explosion

This morning (2 July) the neighbourhood of upper Pier Road was thrown into great consternation by the blasting of a mine (quarry) under the direction of W Pascoe, which has caused serious damage to the premises of John Valpy, ship builder and Capt George Le Feuvre, and to several other houses in that part of the town.

We are happy to state that no lives were lost, nor any personal injury sustained by the inmates of those habitations. The roof of Mr Valpy's house is broken to pieces, the windows smashed and even the ceilings of the house thrown down. A stone of upwards of 200 lb passed through a window, broke the floor of a room and fell in the kitchen.

Another of the same weight fell against Mr Le Feuvre's house, breaking the bow window and bringing part of the house down. Mrs Valpy was on the steps of the house at the moment the accident happened and James RObin and Mr Hammond were walking on the pavement, and yet escaped uninjured. It is reported that stones were carried a very great distance.

The Constable of St Helier was called and took Pascoe and two of his colleagues before the Royal Court, which ordered work to stop until a surety was raised to cover any damage.

Street names and numbers

The States met on the 7th at the request of the Lieut-Governor, who had written to the Bailiff concerning the names of the town streets and house numbers. The Bailiff, Sir Thomas Le Breton, said that it was sometimes very difficult to designate any particular property in the town. The Rev Edouard Durell, supported by the Constable of St Helier, moved that the Lieut-Governor's letter be acted on. The Constable said that the present uncertainty about the names of streets and the numbers of houses gave much trouble to the police and often facilitated the escape of delinquents. The Constable of St Brelade suggested that the same might be done for the town of St Aubin.

Cattle smuggling

The States were asked by Jurat d'Auvergne to pay a reward of £75 to those individuals whose evidence had led to Peter Le Ruez having been convicted of smuggling French cows. Two-thirds of the £400 penalty belonged to the informers. In performing 'that meritorious service' they had been exposed to considerable danger, having been fired at by the smugglers, who finding that they were dodged, had left the cows in the stable of Peter Ruez, an accomplice'. He had avoided payment of the penalties by an act of insolvency before the Royal Court.

After a long debate, there were 15 votes for the motion to pay a reward and 15 against. The Bailiff's casting vote was against the motion.

Militia reviews

Several Militia regiments were reviewed by his Excellency the Commander in CHief lastg week. On Monday, the North Regiment,on Bouley Bay Downs; on Wedmesday the Battalion of St Lawrence, in St Aubin's Bay; and the North-West Regiment at St Peter's Barracks; on Friday, the Battalion of St Helier in St Aubin's Bay. All these regiments manoeuvred like veteran troops, and their fine, martial appearance, entitled them to the flattering expressions of his Encellencyh's approbation.

Castle gun

The firing of the gun at sunrise and at sunset has been discontinued at Elizabeth Castle, by an order of the Board of Ordnance. We suppose that this is part of a general retrenchment in all His Majesty's garrisons.

We have been so long accustomed to the hearing of that gun, and in some cases it was even so very useful to the labouring classes for knowing the time, that we cannot but regret its discontinuance. Nor can we suppose that the saving at Elizabeth Castle will be considerable, as we have been told that that gun was fired with damaged powder, and that the expense of it scarcely amounted to £20 a year.

August

New cemetery

The committee of the new burying ground for St Helier met to carry into effect the report which had been approved of at the late Vestry (parish assembly). A plan of the ground was laid on the table, containing 1,000 compartments of ground, as well as the names of the claimants to have separate burying plots allotted. There were 918 lots drawn, containing the names of the individuals to whom these sepulchres were to be assigned. This operation was carried on with the strictest impartiality, and has met with the general satisfaction of the public.

Duellists go to Guernsey

Two young gentlemen of this town, Linden Poingdestre, son of the advocate of that name, and John de Ste Croix, son of the late Charles, Deputy Viscount, having had an altercation last Sunday week, and the police having been informed that steps had been taken for a meeting, the parties were bound to keep the peace.

In consequence they went over to Guernsey last Tuesday, attended by their seconds, where a rencontre having taken place, the parties, after having fired two shots each, left the ground without receiving any injury. We are the more happy that this affair has not terminated fatally, as if public reports are to be believed, a platonic attachment to a young and rich heiress was the object of the rival champions.

Death of Prime Minister

As already indicated in this history, events in London were regularly deemed to be more important to the editor of the Loyalist, if not necessarily his readers, than those closer to home in Jersey.

On 13 August columns were devoted to the news of the death of the UK prime minister, George Channing, and tributes paid to him.

Ship launching

On 9 August a 417-ton vessel was launched from the yard of Aaron de Ste Croix at Havre des Pas. This was the largest vessel built so far in the island, and was given the name of its worthy owner. An immense crowd lined the shore and the adjoining heights, to enjoy that interesting spectacle. At half past seven in the morning the Ste Croix descended majestically into its native element, amid the joyful acclamations of the assembled multitude, and the music of Rule Britannia. She was afterwards towed round the point, by the steamer Ariadne into St Helier Harbour. This took but 26 minutes.

Jurat's refusal

Jurat Francis Bertram had refused to be a Juryman in the cast of a child found strangled by a person or persons unknown. He said that he had a great deal of business to attend to and it would have been impossible for him to have been on the jury.

The King's Advocate disagreed and said that if gentlemen were to be excused on the grounds of their private business, a jury on a coroner's inquest could never be formed. He was ordered to pay a fine of five shillings and be admoished never to refuse acting on those juries in future.

Torrential rain

Yesterday and this morning (20th) the rain fell in torrents, accompanied by lightning and thunder. The lower part of town has been partially inundated; in several houses furniture was floating. At about seven this morning part of the back stores of Clement Hemery, situated in Three Pigeon Street (Hill Street) and built at the foot of the hill, fell with a dreadful crash. Although several men were at work in the stores, no personal injury was sustained.

Meat thieves

On Saturday night, the 25th, butcher Thomas Starck's shop was broken into and robbed of a quantity of beef. The robbers must have been a long while in the shop as they stripped the meat off the bones and left them on the table. The same party brok into another butcher's shop; there was nothing in it but a ham, which they carried away.

Farm fire

On the afternoon of the 24th the house of Francis Le Rossignol, at Val de La Mare, St Peter, was entirely consumed by fire while the family were out reaping. The house was not insured.

September

Horse escapes

On the first, a horse belonging to Col Touzel was standing near that gentleman's residence when it took fright and galloped away, till it reached Minden Place, nearly opposite the Post Office, where it threw down one of the men employed on that part of the street.

The man was seriously injured and it was initially reported that he was taken to the hospital, where he was not yet out of danger. It was subsequently reported that Col Touzel had the man carried to his house, and sent for a surgeon to attend him. He has since taken care that he and his family are well provided for and undertaken to pay his full wages until he recovers.

The horse could not be stopped till it reached the top of Halkett Street at the corner of the house of Mr Aubin, the druggist.

Privy Council

A long-running dispute between Francis Arthur, Chief of Police of St Ouen, and parishioner Philip du Heaume, has reached its conclusion before the Privy Council in London. Du Heaume had petitioned the Royal Court over two years earlier against Arthur's levying of the parish rate and subsequent attempts, sanctioned by the Parish Assembly, to raise loans to enable the parish to meet its financial obligations.

The Privy Council dismissed du Heaume's petition and ordered him to pay £50 to the Chief of Police, and costs.

Jurat's funeral

Jurat Thomas Anley, who died at the end of August, was buried on 6 September in the new cemetery. A great number of his friends attended to show that last testimony of respect to the memory and the principles of that disinterested and lamented patriot. Several of the most distinguished gentlemen of the island, as well as most of the professional men belonging to the Royal Court, were present. The Members of the States had been invited and most of them accordingly attended.

The Lieut-Governor's carriage closed the procession. Bailiff Sir Thomas Le Breton and five Jurats were pall bearers.

Two days earlier Advocate John de Veulle was proposed by the King's Advocate to take Mr Anley's place on the bench and he was elected unopposed on the 9th, with 1,450 votes, and sworn in the following day. Philippe Journeaux is to succeed Mr de Veulle as advocate.

Drowning

On the 9th Elias Le Gresley, of Ville au Bas, and John du Feu, also of St Ouen, went early to see if there were any fish in their trots. On the awy back the boat capsized over their heads. Le Gresley, who was a good swimmer, told du Feu to cling to the boat while he went ashore to get help. A few minutes later he disappeared under the water.

Du Feu was washed ashore after about 45 minutes. Le Gresley leaves a widow and six small children. His body was found at low water.

Beggars

Patrick Sullivan and Daniel Heffernan, the fathers of two boys of the same names, were charged with suffering the boys to go out begging in the town. This was the second time that Sullivan had been charged with the same offence. He was given a week to find bail for himself and children, that they would not become chargeable on the parish.

It was Heffernan's first offence and he promised that he would take care that his children would not go out begging again. He told the Court that the previous saturday he had gone to the Market and bought 10 lb of beef, five measures of potatoes, 20 lb of bread, 2 lb of sugar and 1 lb of candles. 'I think this is quite sufficient for an honest family and with all this my children need not go begging'. He was reprimanded and released.

The following week William Sheen and his family were ordered out of the island and sent to their parish, some of his children being found at large in the town begging.

Dog attack

The little daughter of Trinity farmer Mr Godeaux has been severely bitten on her legs and arms by a dog belonging to a neighbour. Dr Fixott cauterised the wounds, as a precaution, though the dog does not appear to be rabid.

Broken leg

As Capt Brown, of the 64th Regiment, was driving his gig down the road which leads to Fort Regent on the 15th, as the gun fired for sunset, the horse took fright and, unable to manage the horse, Capt Brown jumped out of the gig, and in so doing sustained a compound fracture of his leg. He was also bruised and has a severe cut in the face.

October

Hospital Governor

Edward Sullivan has been unanimously re-elected Governor of the Hospital for the coming year by the States. Several Members bore testimony to his general good conduct in the management of the establishment. Mr Lempriere, Mr Bertram and Col Le Couteur said that they had lately visited the Hospital and had been highly pleased with it. Mr de Carteret observed that the testimonies of Sir Francis Dumaresq and other distinguished stranters in the visitors' book were highly in Mr Sullivan's favour.

Road widening

The entrance to the town of St Aubin is to be widened from 12 to 17 feet.

Brothers drown

Elias Henry, aged 20, and his brother, ten, of St Brelade, went out in a fishing boat last Thursday evening. As they were returning the next morning about 6 o'clock, and rowing through a heavy swell within a small distance of the harbour in St Brelade's Bay, their boat upset and they instantly perished. To add to the distress of this melancholy catastrophe, their unhappy father was on the beach in anxious expectation of their return, when he was an eye witness of their untimely fate.

Smuggled tea

John Vautier was prosecuted for having had eleven boxes of smuggled tea in his possessiion. The seizure had been made by Hugh Godfray, one of the Sheriff's officers. He was sued for the penalty of £100, which the law inflicts in these cases.

Mr Vautier pleaded not guilty and his Advocate observed that the tea had not been found in his dwelling house, but in the part he had let to Abraham Vautier. The Court ordered witnesses to be examined. John Vautier was further sued following the seizure of two casks of smuggled spirits, and again declared that he was neither the owner, nor concerned in the smuggling of the spirits, but they were in Abraham Vautier's part of the property.

When the matter came back to the Court for trial it was revealed that the brothers John and Abraham Vautier had bought a boat to trade between Jersey and France and the part of the house where the tea and spirits were found was only a bakehouse and a loft, which was not a suitable dwelling. The brothers had contrived in a sham because Abraham was out of the island and could not pay a fine.

The Court ordered John Vautier to pay a fine and costs.

Square assault

An argument in the Royal Square between bookseller Philip Falle and John Machon led to the former being charged with assault. The Royal Court heard evidence that Machon had threatened Falle with his riding whil and when they were fighting on the ground, Falle attacked Machon in the shoulder with a knife. Dr Fixott gave evidence that it was a serious wound and Machon could have died had he not attended to him quickly.

Falle's defence was that Machon had been the agressor and he had acted in self defence. The King's Procurator said that the assault had been fully proved but there were many mitigating circumstances. He moved for a find of £3 to the King and £6 5s to Machon, and costs. The Court granted his motion.

November

Election

Following the retirement of their predecessors, Constable Edward Nicolle and Centenier Philip Le Quesne, Philip de Quetteville and Nicolas Le Quesne were elected respectively to replace them. They were sworn in on 12 November, four days after a parish assembly had approved Mr Nicolle's final accounts.

Transportation

William Sandford was brought before the Royal Court accused of having returned to the island after being sentenced to transportation for life. It was stated that the sentence had been commuted by the King to seven years imprisonment in the hulks at Portsmouth. Because of his good behaviour he was released after six years and six months. The Court annulled the earlier judgment against him and he was at liberty to remain in the island.

Sudden death

Last Thursday Robert Sheppard, who lived at Claremont Terrace, was suddenly taken ill while walking Back Street. He entered Miss Poingdestre's shop and asked for a glass of water, which was immediately given to him. As soon as he had drunk it he was taken with violent convulsions and expired immediately, before Dr Brohier, who was called, could attend. An inquest was held the same day. Verdict: Died by the Visitation of God.

December

Votes of thanks

A St Helier Vestry meeting unanimously adopted a motion by the new Constable, Philip de Quetteville, for a vote of thanks to the commanding officers of the Depots of the 64th and 76th Regiments of Foot, which had been in the island for some time on garisson duty.

The assembly also unanimously adopted a vote of thanks to the retired Constable, Edward Nicolle, following a proposition by Nicholas Le Quesne, seconded by J P Collas.

Shipwrecks

The brig Charlotte, of Cork, bound for London from Jamaica, with a valuable cargo of coffee, sugar, rum, etc, was driven between the islands by a violent gale and abandoned on the 1st by her crew, who succeeded in reaching Greve de Lecq in their longboat. During the morning the brig drifted to Sorel Point and struck the rocks at the foot of the cliffs. She was entirely broken up in a few minutes and it is unlikely that any of the cargo will be saved.

The schooner Three Sisters, Capt Le Brun, chartered by John Moisson, arrived on the 2nd from Sierra Leone, after 52 days passage, in the course of which she encountered very severe weather and was driven by foul winds in the Channel, where she remained for four days beating up for this coast. When she passed the Hermitage she hove to for a pilot, but the wind drove her among the rocks below La Collette, where the pilots boarded and anchored her.

It was then thought that she was in a very precarious situation and the owner and Lloyds agent T Mallet, sent men with a chain and rope cables on board. They came ashore after securing her but were sent back by the owner and agent to fetch the crew. The vessel rode well on her anchor all night and was safely moored to the Pier in the morning.

Hawkers

At the 8 December sitting of the States, the Constable of St Helier presented a petition from the shopkeepers and others of St Helier complaining of the great number of pedlars and hawkers who exercise their calling in the island and praying for relief.

The King's Advocate said that the matter had been anticipated by the Committee of the Hospital, whose regulations about strangers would soon be laid before the States.

More shipwrecks

At about 2 o'clock on the morning of the sixth, guns were heard from Elizabeth Castle, signalling a vessel in distress. Several boats put out and those of His Majesty's sloop Shamrock were first to reach the Sea-Flower brig, belonging to James Robin, arriving from Newfoundland, with a cargo of fish and about 50 passengers.

By passing too close to Noirmont Point she had struck the Pignonets and had three feet of water in her hold when towed into St Helier Harbour.

The following morning the Neptune, Capt Piton, belonging to Messrs Janvrin, arrived from Newfoundland and cast anchor in the Great Roads. During the day the Captain and the best part of about 80 passengers were landed and the vessel remained in the roads, under the charge of a pilot.

In heavy seas late at night the Neptune parted from her anchors and broke her chain cable, forcing the crew to make for St Aubin's Fort, where the tide was too low for her to get in. She stood out to sea but in the middle of the night she drifted on to rocks near Corbiere and broke up. The crew and the remaining passengers took to their longboat and all were saved except for Guernseyman Thomas Le Masurier.

It was reported that he was trying to save up to 1,200 pounds sterling, saved while working in Newfoundland for over 11 years, when he was drowned. Some money belonging to the Captain, in a smal leather bag, and several other articles belonging to crew and passengers, were picked up the following day.

The vessel and its cargo of 3,000 quintals of fish were insured.

Brook death

Clement Piquet's ten-year-old son was returning home after assisting plasterers when he fell into the Faux bie brook where it is open and then runs under the road near the brewery. He was quickly swept under the road by the current and although the men ran to several openings of the brook they did not find him. His body was found the following morning close to the pier, having passed through the brook near Gloucester Street.

Harbour dues

The States agreed the repayment of inflated dues imposed on French vessels after a treaty between France and the UK required their reduction. There was some debate over whether the treaty's requirements had been laid before the States as ordered by the Royal Court.