ENPages
(seq. 37)
At the Council Chamber Whitehall the 12th of April 1777 Byt the Right Honble the Lords of the Committee of Councl for Plantation Affairs.
This Majesty having been pleased by this order in Council of the 24th of July 1776, to referr unto this Committee, the humble pet^r of James Shepard Esq^r late Chief Baron of his Majestys Court of Exchequer in the Island of Barbado's, Setting forth, amongst other things, that the pet^r was appointed to that Office by Governor Spry in 1769, and for upwards of six years Exercised the said Office without the least Censure on his Conduct, or Imputation on his Integrity; That His Excellency Edward May, the present Governor of the said Island, without accusing his of any offence or misconduct whatsoever, removed the pet^r from his said Office, without the advice or consent (as he is well informed) of the Members of His Majestys Council for the said Island, and that the said Governor has, and still does refuse to assign any reason whatever for so doing; And humbly Praying to be restored to his Office, or for other relief, The Lords of the Committee this day took the said pet^r into Consideration, and are hereby please to order, that a copy thereof (which is hereunto annexed) be transmitted to the said Edward May Esq^r, Governor of the said Island of Barbados, who is hereby required forth with to return his Answer thereto in writing to this committee.
W. Blair
(seq. 38)
Barbados 6 July 1777 On This day By dosior of James Shapherd Esqr delivered an Exact Coppy of the within Order & petition to [throwto?} Annexed, To the Honble Edw^d Hay Esq6r Governor of Barbados, abd at the same time Shew'd the Honble Edw^d Hay the Original order & seal to, which he also took into his hand - part of which he read & then returned the Original Copy to me, and said I had no Buisness, with this business, "it should come through a proper channell by the stand of the Soul of or Mr. Shaperd himself.
Witness Simon Dee
To the Kings most Excellent Majesty in Council
The Petition of James Shepherd Esq^r late Chief Baron of his Majestys Court of Exchequer in the Island of Barbados.
Humbly Shewoth That on the 9th day of December 1769 your petitioner was appointed Chief Baron of your Majestrys said Court of Exchequer by his Excellency William Spry Esqr then Governor of the said Island of Barbados.
That your Petitioner has for upwards of Six years, Exercised his said office of Chief Baron in the most impartial and upright manner, and without the least Censure on his Conduct, or Imputation on his integrity.
That your Petitioner has an independant fortune and is possessed of such an Estate in the said Islands of Barbados as, he humbly conceives, suffuciently qualifies him for holding the said Office.
That nevertheless on the 15th day of April 1776 His Excellency the Honble Edward Hay, the present Governor of the said Island of Barbadoes, without accusing him of any offence or misconduct whatever, removed your petitioner from his said Office of Chief Baron, without the advice or consent as he is well informed of the Members of your Majesty's Council of the said Island.
That his said Excellency has, and still does refuse to assign any reason whatever from having removed your Petitioner from his said Office, which will appear by the Secretarys letter, a copy of which is as followith
(seq. 39)
On his Majestys Service To the Hon^ble James Shepard Esqr Secretarys Office April 15th 1776
Sir,
I am commanded by the Governor to Signify to your Honor, That he has thought proper to remove you from your Office of Chied Baron of the Court of Exchequer and pleas of the Crown, for reasons which his Excellency will take care to lay in a proper manner before his Majesty: and you so stand removed accordingly.
I am, Sir, your most obedient Humble Servant T Workman
Your Petitioner therefore concious of having at all times faithfully discharged the duties of his Office according to the best of his skill and judgment most humbly prays your Majesty to take his case into your Royal Consideration; and that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to command that he may be restored to his Office or to grant him such redress for so unmerited a punishment as your Majesty in your great wisdom shall seem meet
J[s?] Shepherd
