tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80554844512664005782023-11-16T04:42:20.820-08:00Tom GruchyJersey Reform Day.
This site is dedicated to the day, now officially recognised annually by the States of Jersey, to mark the anniversary of the events of 28 September 1769.
Jersey's own Independence or Bastille Day.Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.comBlogger363125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-39670671565861256922022-11-01T14:13:00.000-07:002022-11-01T14:13:09.323-07:00Jersey Development Company "Building a Better Jersey" - at South Hill exhibition 1 November 2022<p>The Jersey Development Company (JDC) have exhibited the latest scheme for the redevelopment of the former States planning office site at South Hill, St Helier.</p><p>This exhibition was on view from 10 am to 4pm at the Town Hall. </p><p>The public is invited to respond with any comments to the JDC.</p><p>These are my 2 videos recorded today.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xLZGEax5Mx4" width="320" youtube-src-id="xLZGEax5Mx4"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0fAUWNCowSU" width="320" youtube-src-id="0fAUWNCowSU"></iframe></div><br />Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-46602401462931776142022-10-02T16:36:00.000-07:002022-10-02T16:36:27.119-07:00Jersey Reform Day celebrations aka Corn Riots - partial review 2 October 2022<p> This is a review only recorded on one day of the celebrations which took place over several days.</p><p>I am told there was some political content with speeches.</p><p>There was much music and I managed to see/hear and record very little.</p><p>Perhaps next year will be different with greater political content.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S1w-mRkZ0RA" width="320" youtube-src-id="S1w-mRkZ0RA"></iframe></div><div>Royal Square</div><div>The centre of the Jersey Reform Day protests on 28 September 1769</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n2begS5oZec" width="320" youtube-src-id="n2begS5oZec"></iframe></div><br /><p>Olly Rybarczuk interview</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1rdFANYwzbU" width="320" youtube-src-id="1rdFANYwzbU"></iframe></div><div><br /></div>"Foolish Things"<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JzU_8OQcRoo" width="320" youtube-src-id="JzU_8OQcRoo"></iframe></div><br /><div>Memorials at the Parade Park and Etoile Siree from Granville</div><div><br /></div><div>Did the protestors sing any songs or beat any drums in 1769?<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-14529288797845276842022-05-13T10:51:00.000-07:002022-05-13T11:01:27.299-07:00Population, Arms Length Bodies, Climate Change JLC /Progress Coalition - Jersey 11 May 2022<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz2OtZ4ZfTTCczlOAvAmDiiBOyLLHzC8eODC0LjnJOGn9WDtxKr6YlP0PhRCMxC5PjHCV7zuUFjOPGSxGtp4A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxFp0IAUKkdyN8n9nJmDtmgMWwzrSOHnUGtJJM5qk9rwtI_ieSYhzkokADIfnVldvvqlrirOwMEkCS4BLxUkQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxVW_vkc3Rzd1M9ecudW4QQacoA6rdpR_HTWqOqpq_AAtIpM-ViOFgxC58t1os0mlVpKD1JJSZvuqcptp_7Ww' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-11496953953778668812022-03-20T10:35:00.003-07:002022-03-20T10:39:17.862-07:00Victor the Barman from Kenya in Jersey and Nick Le Cornu 20 March 2022<p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YF-a_Nv7AVs" width="320" youtube-src-id="YF-a_Nv7AVs"></iframe></div><br /><p>Victor the Barman - willing to work</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="294" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UvWXqJZ0LsI" width="354" youtube-src-id="UvWXqJZ0LsI"></iframe></div><br /><p>Nick Le Cornu - trying to fight the bureaucracy</p><p><br /></p>Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-68665981029128270972022-03-11T08:38:00.003-08:002022-03-11T08:42:24.580-08:00Valik interview in Ukraine from Jersey 11 March 2022<p> I interviewed Valik in Ukraine today by Skype from Jersey (Channel Islands) </p><p>We discuss his situation and conditions in Ukraine and aspects of the relationships with havens such as Jersey.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="419" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zDv3YlJreQE" width="504" youtube-src-id="zDv3YlJreQE"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-75416189617894474682021-11-18T16:08:00.001-08:002021-11-18T16:13:33.738-08:00Assisted dying discussion - Jersey 18 November 2021<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mp51hVS5okE" width="320" youtube-src-id="mp51hVS5okE"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dr Nigel Minihane (above)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">NB this video is missing the initial minute of recording</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Silvan Luley of Dignitas (below)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m4GRvi-gefo" width="320" youtube-src-id="m4GRvi-gefo"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p>A Q & A session followed but is not shown here.</p>Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-59598280742816617202021-11-11T13:17:00.001-08:002021-11-11T13:26:42.207-08:00Jersey Farming Conference 11 November 2021 - COVID concerns<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">I attended
the Jersey Farming Conference today 11 November 2021 and wore a face mask.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">I
was the only person there who did wear a mask for this all-day event which ran
from 9.00 am to 3.45pm. Presumably all attendees received similar emails a few
days before the conference date that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the
event was to run “adhering to Public Health guidelines on events and gatherings.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">This
further stressed that attendees were “strongly advised to wear face coverings”
and increase their lateral flow testing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">Several
speakers at the conference had arrived from the UK especially for this event,
which was also attended by ministers Senator Farnham, Deputies Morel and Guida
(who all spoke) besides other States members who sat among the audience and
generally circulated.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">The
seating provision at this conference was very closely spaced (as my video
indicates) and I thought (from memory) there were only 80 tickets available and
others wanting to attend should do so “on-line.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BlokuE8Yhtc" width="320" youtube-src-id="BlokuE8Yhtc"></iframe></div><br /><span style="text-indent: 0cm;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">I
have no idea if the farming community habitually ignores safety precautions in
their working life, but it did seem extraordinary that I was the only person
present in any capacity who was masked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">An organizer
even explained to me that a box of 50 masks had been made available at the
entrance for anybody who wanted one, but this had “disappeared” by the end of
the day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">During
the course of the day’s presentations I attempted to ask a question from the
floor about the lack of masks being worn but was told that questions were only
being allowed on-line.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">I
raised it again with several speakers and an organizer and was told that the “strong
advice” was only a recommendation and could not be enforced.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">It
is a pity that this instructive and important conference was allowed to proceed
as described here whereas “COVID” supposedly remains as a very real and dangerous
threat to our well-being.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-81859637723951142642021-11-09T14:36:00.000-08:002021-11-09T14:36:45.701-08:00Sixty years of building and Architects in Jersey. Public meeting to sort out St Helier - 9 November 2021<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FbqCqZUkYl0" width="320" youtube-src-id="FbqCqZUkYl0"></iframe></div><br /><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">The
Association of Jersey Architects is celebrating 60 years of their building
design works this week.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">I
must say that I don’t think they have much to celebrate and the booklet they
have produced indicates a somewhat “ordinary” level of achievement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">It
is significant I think that the most innovative and smallest project – La
Fregate Cafe completed in 1996 – is likely to be demolished soon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Of
course, there are some buildings of merit shown in the printed brochure but for
the most part they are safe structures designed to fill spaces. They do not
deserve the highest accolade of “architecture” and do not add much of quality
to the built environment for the whole population.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">At
the St Helier Town Hall presentation and “discussion” today it fell to a member
of the public audience to point out that “designing for disability” was not
featured at all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">In
fact, the lift access to the room had not been enabled and the printed brochure
included some obscure illustrations and very small font sizes were generally
used. Inevitably too, no effort was made to engage a signer and much of the
presentation was difficult to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">For
a profession that claims expertise in “design” such omissions and failures have
been and remain far too evident in the works of the membership throughout the
60 years from 1961.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">The
discussion was more like a junior school project than a serious examination of
the very major problems facing St Helier and the whole Island. The interactions
between the 12 Parishes were ignored. It was as though St Helier is a unique
Island with problems that need to be addressed in isolation. The proposals put
forward for discussion by the panel were generally banal and undemanding raising
virtually no matters that are likely to be addressed by or relevant to architects.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">Most
of the proposals have already been discussed to death over many decades and I
have linked to those that I managed to video record. I have not attempted to
record or present any of the panel discussion and the proposals might appear
here in the wrong order of sequence but the final question about a “single”
suggestion to improve St Helier does not feature here.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">I
don’t want to be too unkind to Jersey’s designers – whosoever they might be –
but for an Island that presents such an abundance of “natural beauty” I think
that the prospect of another 60 years of building and extension of a built
environment, either within the boundaries of St Helier or beyond, needs to be
based upon different and better standards.</span></p>Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-3741445960932234622021-10-23T04:34:00.005-07:002021-10-23T04:43:12.904-07:00Disability and Inclusion - "Embrace the Difference" Jersey 21 October 2021<p> Seven video recordings from this event appear here including Lord Blunkett as "keynote speaker."</p><p>There were more that could be included but this is deemed an appropriate record of this excellent event.</p><p>The recordings appear in a vague order only.</p><p><b>Jersey Sport and Enable Jersey</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2uyV5W6yLtw" width="320" youtube-src-id="2uyV5W6yLtw"></iframe></div><b>Stuart Penn</b> presenting the Jersey disability strategic survey results<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gsRe26Zfw-w" width="320" youtube-src-id="gsRe26Zfw-w"></iframe></div><br /><p><b>Lord Blunkett</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TDLe85RVFCk" width="320" youtube-src-id="TDLe85RVFCk"></iframe></div><br /><p><b>Lord Blunkett questions and answers</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8FsFhMVFQDo" width="320" youtube-src-id="8FsFhMVFQDo"></iframe></div><br /><p>"<b>Embrace the Difference"</b> and intro</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jdTzdPpVPmM" width="320" youtube-src-id="jdTzdPpVPmM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Jersey Cheshire Home </b>off stage chat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fsaLJ3pVFIA" width="320" youtube-src-id="fsaLJ3pVFIA"></iframe></div><br />Inclusion for deaf and friends choir<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fYrznMOOuEs" width="320" youtube-src-id="fYrznMOOuEs"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-51584255893195795702021-09-21T02:48:00.001-07:002021-09-21T05:53:48.112-07:00Derek Mason - Architect and La Fregate - Jersey - Channel Islands<p>Architects Derek Mason and Will Alsop designed "La Fregate" cafe building n 1997.</p><p>Now it is under threat from the rising sea level and may be demolished or moved.</p><p>This interview with Derek Mason was recorded on 20 September 2021</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/of_yaObBtZ0" width="320" youtube-src-id="of_yaObBtZ0"></iframe></div><br /><p>La Fregate today</p><p><br /></p><p>Derek Mason interview Part One (below)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/19hXoUNA_HE" width="320" youtube-src-id="19hXoUNA_HE"></iframe></div><br /><p>Derek Mason interview Part Two (below)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W-M_6A7ANmY" width="320" youtube-src-id="W-M_6A7ANmY"></iframe></div><br /><p>YouTube is becoming a nightmare.</p><p>It changes every time I try to post or comment and I cannot easily overcome the darkness on my recordings or attach sub-titles. But we plod on and if anybody wants to help or record an interview then please make contact by PM</p><p><br /></p>Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-69437904277493317892021-09-11T05:53:00.000-07:002021-09-11T05:53:01.640-07:00Exploitation of Russian workers in Jersey - 76 years after the Liberation?<p> Jersey has imported many workers over the centuries - especially agricultural employees.</p><p>Why it has never been possible to use only local labour is a bit of a puzzle but this year has been especially difficult to recruit workers because of BREXIT, COVID 19, a severe housing shortage (since the Liberation) and low wages joined to a high cost of living.</p><p>It is especially ironic that Jersey is a very wealthy "international finance centre" where there are great contrasts between the wealthy and workers' lifestyles. Yet the demand is to grow the economy even further whilst the population - so many claim - is already too large at 106,000 residents.</p><p>Inevitably there are all sorts of discrimination permitted in pursuit of a "hostile environment" to discourage "immigrants" from settling. The Russians have experienced much unfairness yet are still keen to work in Jersey - or the UK- if allowed to do so.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DS8jYZRX_lQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="DS8jYZRX_lQ"></iframe></div><br /><p>Deputy M. Tadier interviewed (above)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lu5V-zeBNAs" width="320" youtube-src-id="lu5V-zeBNAs"></iframe></div><br /><p>Nick Le Cornu - Jersey Employment lawyer interviewed (above)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kDBerrOPQsg" width="320" youtube-src-id="kDBerrOPQsg"></iframe></div><br /><p>Russian farm worker interviewed in Jersey (above)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nVzMwtdGaJI" width="320" youtube-src-id="nVzMwtdGaJI"></iframe></div><br /><p>Jersey Human Rights Group wreath laying at the Occupation workers memorial in 2014 (above)</p><p><br /></p>Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-20873185159459380782021-05-23T07:07:00.003-07:002021-05-23T07:07:25.907-07:00BBC Politics South West - A good discussion but no Channel Islands content - 23 May 2021<p> This BBC South West programme usually follows the Andrew Marr TV broadcast on Sunday mornings. </p><p>It hardly ever fetaures the Channel Islands.</p><p>Recently it did feature the Jersey fishing dispute with France - which received world-wide attention - but did not include any speakers from the Channel Islands.</p><p>This week the programme featured Housing, Farming and Free Trade and Disability in Politics. All subjects that are important in the Islands yet they were not discussed at all.</p><p>I have here below posted bite-size recordings of each part of the programme.</p><p>I hope that some might comment here or better still complain to the BBC.</p><p>INTRO </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/osl70O5z5A8" width="320" youtube-src-id="osl70O5z5A8"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p>HOUSING</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bm96SqXJal8" width="320" youtube-src-id="bm96SqXJal8"></iframe></div><p><br /></p>FARMING and FREE TRADE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cWEhrdZiDak" width="320" youtube-src-id="cWEhrdZiDak"></iframe></div><br /><p>DISABILITY in POLITICS</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BlrAuwt1f40" width="320" youtube-src-id="BlrAuwt1f40"></iframe></div><br /><p>That's All Folks</p><p>The rest is up to you</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="20" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bm96SqXJal8" width="24" youtube-src-id="bm96SqXJal8"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-15247948004553448242021-01-23T05:35:00.000-08:002021-01-23T05:35:15.881-08:00JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - A Political Party by any other name?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8_Opde0ATDieiAGROi3-3bsdgeZT5i2XtxURJAzWXdCN0B5uKnpx1_v1fPieclDF_x4ePbdyuLeRy-oul5XCllpzJ33xkK2iBr84Qfw6sR2coKbsLvrSLl_hMmXYlcQaOHuN89B1-JU/s997/Jersey_chamber_of_commerce_1768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="997" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8_Opde0ATDieiAGROi3-3bsdgeZT5i2XtxURJAzWXdCN0B5uKnpx1_v1fPieclDF_x4ePbdyuLeRy-oul5XCllpzJ33xkK2iBr84Qfw6sR2coKbsLvrSLl_hMmXYlcQaOHuN89B1-JU/s320/Jersey_chamber_of_commerce_1768.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">JERSEY
CHAMBER of COMMERCE<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- A Political Party
by any other name?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">According
to the Chamber’s own website it was founded in 1768 by Jersey merchants who
were</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">“not
satisfied with their representation by the ruling elite in the States.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">Then
as now it is a very political organization that is regularly consulted by
government and it </span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">lobbies for reform
over a wide range of activities.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">It
claims now to represent a diverse community but its Executive Council is
dominated by persons from a very limited range of business backgrounds.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">They
would fit in well with any Tory Party in the UK context but here in Jersey they
exist as a “business” promoting organization claiming</span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">over 250 years of “influencing change for the
good.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">They
claim a membership of nearly 600 “business” organizations employing 30,000 but
what those many thousands of employees actually think is presumably not within
the organization’s TOR to determine.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Like
most people I have seen the C of C logo many times on the wall of the Royal
Square building (donated to the Chamber in 1821) and have not really considered
what it represents now or when it was first designed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Whether
it shows a pagan goddess or female slave with a barrel of Newfoundland cod and
a box of smuggled tea is not of much importance today. But it is significant in
an historical context for Jersey and something that the Chamber might usefully
re-consider today.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Is
it still an appropriate image for the Chamber?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">Does
the image have any political significance today?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">The
general public too might like to consider what the political or other roles of
the Chamber of Commerce are - or should be - in the 21</span><sup style="text-indent: 0cm;">st</sup><span style="text-indent: 0cm;"> century?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Should
it be consulted so regularly and widely by government?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Is
it behaving like a political party without the democratic constraints that a
party system imposes and which many think that Jersey desperately needs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Especially
since “business” is represented by many other organizations too in Jersey.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">We
should not forget that just 12 months after the Chamber was formed in 1768 the
so called “Corn Riots” overthrew the rotten Jersey Royal Court on 28 September
1769</span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">- now called “Jersey Reform Day” -
to initiate long term democratic and judicial changes by direct action of the
people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">Of
course many of the merchants who formed the Chamber then were also exploiting
the general public through arbitrary impositions and manipulations of “corn
prices.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">But
then as now, the Chamber was not formed to speak for the general public
interest. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">It still
speaks for business </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">and
claims to</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">“promote
trade and build on the prosperity of the Island.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">But
</span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">that may be just a fanciful PR claim in
this Island where the demands of COVID 19, BREXIT and CLIMATE CHANGE are much
more important .</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-6423059184272076022021-01-15T09:39:00.000-08:002021-01-15T09:39:08.434-08:00The Holocaust memorial in Jersey - and how we remember or forget<p>The Holocaust is remembered across the world on "Memorial Day".</p><p>This year it will take place on Wednesday 27 January in Jersey but due to the restrictions of Covid 19 will be a simple event and not open to the general public to participate.</p><p>The short video below shows the grave in Jersey of "Frank" Le Villio who might have been one of only two known British survivors of the Belsen Concentration camp complex. </p><p>He was born in Jersey but died in Nottingham during 1946 and was re-buried in Jersey recently.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="224" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5kfx4NRALPM" width="320" youtube-src-id="5kfx4NRALPM"></iframe></div><br /><p>In my view Jersey has failed to recognise since 1945 the importance of the Liberation from Occupation during WW2.</p><p>We should all be much more pro-active in promoting human rights and related international standards to eliminate discrimination and injustice in all forms. </p><p>Most of all, our government should take a much more active role and create a human rights and international standards Ministry or Special Unit with adequate funding for publishing information and promoting the elimination of ignorance.</p><p>Perhaps such a committment can be announced on 27 January 2021 at the Holocaust Memorial ceremony.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-34194507907690594392021-01-08T05:47:00.000-08:002021-01-08T05:47:19.982-08:00The tragedy of Norman Le Brocq<p>Nowadays we have almost unlimited opportunities to insult each other via the Internet.</p><p>Norman Le Brocq was not so much a target by electronic means but he experienced a great deal of mud-slinging - actual or otherwise - during his long political career. And the media of the day - notably the JEP - was ever ready to discredit him and his political aspirations - and those of his supporters - for decades. </p><p>Yet when world leaders such as Donald Trump are now actually banned by Facebook and Twitter because of the general rubbish and personal attacks that they publish then we know that something has gone seriously wrong with our modern concepts of "free speech" and "expression."</p><p>Norman is well known now for his anti-Nazi activities during the Occupation but the Jersey establishment very soon disowned him and his vews during the post Liberation election processes.</p><p>Although Norman was a very placid man and his family background was hardly ever discussed except that he was orphaned and had attended Victoria College as a scholarship student - there was a secret that has strangely never been fully explained.</p><p>He was the victim of a family tragedy in 1934 when his parents and 2 young sisters were found dead - by a servant or maid - in their Rouge Bouillon house from gas poisoning.</p><p>The court hearing concluded that this was a double suicide - by the parents - and double murder of the children.</p><p>The family appeared to be reasonably well-off and the father - Stanley Albert aged just 37 - had been a fruit grower at St Peter and ran a couple of florists shops in St Helier.</p><p>Norman aged 11 had survived because he was sleeping in another room and the tragedy took place in a bedroom where the father normally slept alone.</p><p>Since Norman became such an important part of Jersey's post-war political development I am surprised that his tragic family legacy is so little known or discussed. Especially since Norman's own left-wing political awareness was so untypical in this very conservative and small community.</p><p>It also provokes me to wonder how political critics can be so cruel to candidates or those who express "different" points of view without any understanding of their personal circumstances.</p><p>Below I have posted Norman's Jersey Democratic Movement (JDM) re-election manifesto - I think for the elections of c 1982.</p><p>It was a modest proposal which could well be appropriate for the approaching elections in 2022.</p><p>Yet there would be plenty of people insulting him or anybody else who tries to present such views even today - the moreso if they do so in the name of a "political party."</p><p>It seems to be just another aspect of the "Jersey Way" and is encouraged by the "wonderful anonymity" and or remoteness of the NET.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqU7gaf_jZqSe_Y55XoXLkpA0HlxL1RmM4X0eWmNqA4eeSN2HL1TSm-U7yLl_LxzK1vagV-VGZgbxteWA28zI5cMeF-2ibQAxNcldd3Gi4F2odj04-c3Q8q6Ojlgzsl2Dy5G5ObbHj58/s2048/norman+le+brocq+img092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1617" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqU7gaf_jZqSe_Y55XoXLkpA0HlxL1RmM4X0eWmNqA4eeSN2HL1TSm-U7yLl_LxzK1vagV-VGZgbxteWA28zI5cMeF-2ibQAxNcldd3Gi4F2odj04-c3Q8q6Ojlgzsl2Dy5G5ObbHj58/s320/norman+le+brocq+img092.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-36212045485853826942020-08-07T06:39:00.000-07:002020-08-07T06:39:16.994-07:00Jersey Scrutiny Hearing video extracts 7 August 2020These video extracts are taken from the Economics and International Affairs Panel Quarterly hearing on 7 August 2020.<br />
It was very difficult to find the links to this "virtual" hearing but the standard of presentation was very good for a bunch of broadcasting amateurs.<br />
<br />
It should be noted that although women have had the vote for 100 years in Jersey this was a hearing dominated by men.<br />
<br />
I have created 2 videos and not attempted to arrange them in any particular order nor do I identify the speakers but there was a great deal of waffle...but the subjects included the Government Plan, the Arts, Sport and Culture, Fort Regent, the Skate Park, the Licensing laws and Charities and more...<br />
so all your favourite stuff that you have been hearing about for years and years.<br />
<br />
Of course progress for all matters has been delayed by the coronavirus which must be the best excuse since the Occupation for having endless and largely secret meetings and doing very little...<br />
<br />
You will need a large measure of Wincarnis to fortify you whilst watching these videos of OUR government in action...<br />
Enjoy!!!<br />
<br />
Part one below<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/p-7q5XBzJWw/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p-7q5XBzJWw?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
Part two below<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JvX0xGKpSac/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JvX0xGKpSac?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
As usual you can comment here OR if you want to record a sensible video response let me knowTom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-55440082486493206352020-06-08T07:47:00.000-07:002020-06-08T08:04:19.678-07:00The slave-trade and the Channel Islands network - an introduction<br />
<br />
<b>THE SLAVE TRADE and the Channel Islands</b><br />
<br />
<br />
I have been researching Channel Islands' maritime and related history for 50 years.<br />
Since there is now a topical interest in the trade and its modern-day implications I am publishing this part chapter which deals mostly with the Guernsey connection - but there is much more already written about Jersey's involvement and how this all became the early days of the "finance sector" which dominates these Islands today.<br />
<br />
So you are welcome to read this part and I hope it will add to your knowledge.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Slaving Contradictions<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Significantly, Olaudah Equiano </span></b><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">aka<b> Gustavus Vassa</b> had become a noted figure in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Britain</st1:country-region>’s abolitionist campaign besides promoter
of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</st1:place></st1:country-region>
or Bulama projects. He was an ex-slave who in 1789 had published his
autobiography which proved to be a best seller. Paul Le Mesurier`s name
appeared as a subscriber to the first edition along with many pages of others
of influence and/or status including <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">John
Wesley</span> who had published his own powerfully critical, <i>Thoughts Upon
Slavery </i>speech, in 1774. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Equiano had proclaimed himself a <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Methodist.</span>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">He was also among the brave handful who founded the <i>London
Corresponding Society</i> in 1792.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Yet there was more because Equiano had been brought as a “slave” to
Europe in 1755 on the <i>Industrious Bee</i> snow, captain <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Michael Henry Pascal,<b> </b></span>part-owner
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Nicholas Dobrée</span> of <st1:place w:st="on">Guernsey</st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Although he was initially intended as a present for somebody in <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region>, the ten years old boy was taken to
Guernsey where he stayed for some months, living “happily” with a <st1:place w:st="on">Guernsey</st1:place> family. He was then shipped aboard a naval
vessel with his owner Pascal, achieving the rank of Able Seaman. Subsequently,
he visited Pascal’s friends in <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>, including
Maynard and Mary Guerin (who became his God-parents at his Baptism in 1759),
returning to <st1:place w:st="on">Guernsey</st1:place> again briefly in 1762.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In December he was sold to slaver James Doran then shipped to <st1:place w:st="on">Montserrat</st1:place> to experience many more adventures and
insults. He worked at various jobs such as hairdresser, merchant and even
“slave trader” besides serving again in the navy before writing his book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">James Doran was also a privateer commander employed by
Hillhouse & Co., shipbuilders and “slavers” at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city> in 1757. He sold Equiano to a Quaker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">John-William was another "young negro boy"
of about 10 years of age, born in Guiny and brought to <st1:place w:st="on">Guernsey</st1:place>
from Guadaloupe where he was Christened in 1761. His Godfathers were captains
John and William Rivoire with Mrs. Esther Roland as Godmother "relict of
Mr Simon-Peter Rivoire."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">George another "negro boy" of about 12 years
of age was baptised in 1770. His Godfathers were Peter Maingy and William
Rivoire and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Godmother Mrs Marie Rivoire.
(Source Priaulx Library).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Paul Le Mesurier was born in <st1:place w:st="on">Guernsey</st1:place>
in 1755. He would most likely not have met Equiano as a child, but both the
Dobrée and Le Mesurier families were involved in the slave-trade as was the
East India Company for which Paul was a Director and an M.P. The India Company
traded slaves mostly from East Africa, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Madagascar</st1:country-region>
or <st1:city w:st="on">Zanzibar</st1:city> to the Middle East and <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> but there was also trafficking from <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region> to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">South Africa</st1:country-region></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Some slaves were shipped onwards across the <st1:place w:st="on">Atlantic</st1:place>
too through merchant networks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Paul’s mother was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Martha Dobrée,</span>
in a complicated family network in which <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Nicholas Dobrée</span> was probably Paul’s uncle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Nicholas Dobrée (born 1732) had married Susanne Le
Pelley in 1752 then in 1769 to Elizabeth Gilchrist of <st1:place w:st="on">Southampton</st1:place>
who died in 1770. She might have been the daughter of a naval officer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Dobrée was linked to the radical John Wilkes family through
the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nantes</st1:place></st1:city>’
Protestant Menuret and London De Ponthrieu, merchant families. The Wilkes
family had plantation interests in the <st1:place w:st="on">West Indies</st1:place>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Israel Wilkes of London had married Miss De Ponthrieu,
daughter of an eminent Hamburgh merchant in 1752.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Maynard Guerin</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> was yet another from a
Huguenot ancestry with <st1:place w:st="on">Channel Islands</st1:place>
relatives. He was employed as a banking agent for men serving in the army or navy
through Drummond’s Bank. He dealt with Michael Pascal’s affairs during his navy
service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Guerin died in May 1760 at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Westminster</st1:place></st1:city>, apparently within a few days of
the death of his son, of the same name and employment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The Guerin family had a slave-owning branch in <st1:state w:st="on">Virginia</st1:state> with another in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Ireland</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The name Maynard derived from a partnership with John
Maynard a <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>
merchant. A Daniel Guerin from Clairac (<st1:state w:st="on">Gascony</st1:state>)
probably founded the <st1:place w:st="on">Guernsey</st1:place> branch of the
family. His son William married Margaret Dumaresq. Daniel and James Guerin were
married into the Allez families of <st1:place w:st="on">Guernsey</st1:place> in
the 1730s and a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">James Major Guerin</span>
was one of many children fathered by James Guerin (born 1734). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A Peter Guerin served on the <i>Snugg</i> 2 guns
privateer/smuggler of <st1:place w:st="on">Guernsey</st1:place> in 1757. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The Le Mesurier & Secretan owned <st1:city w:st="on"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Columbus</i></st1:city> ship of <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> was commanded by Daniel Guerin in 1787 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and seized at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Barbados</st1:country-region></st1:place> for smuggling but on
appeal to the High Court of Admiralty the verdict was overturned. The landmark
case is discussed elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A Daniel Guerin was reported as Commander of a <i>Sirene</i>
brig privateer of 16 guns lost with all hands off <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Honduras</st1:place></st1:country-region> about 1795.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Michael Pascal</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> died in <st1:place w:st="on">Southampton</st1:place>
in 1786. He too had strong connections with the Channel Islands, so besides bequeathing
money and property to the Guerin family he also left his uniform sword and
sword belt to <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“my good friend”</span> Philip<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Carteret</span>, the famous Jersey-born
circumnavigator. He left five pounds and <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“my
silver mounted</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">sword</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">to my good friend <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Paul Le Mesurier.”<b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Pascal<b> </b>was Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire
Freemasons in 1784. Both Carteret and Le Mesurier were Freemasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The involvement of the Maugers of the <st1:place w:st="on">Channel Islands</st1:place> in the African trade has been referred to
elsewhere. The precise relationship of Joshua, the Jersey-born <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Newfoundland</st1:place></st1:state> merchant
with Charles of Guernsey, is not clear but they were both active participants.
Furthermore, they were also in partnerships with other Channel Islanders in
this miserable business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Hence, John Mauger commanded the <st1:city w:st="on"><i>Cumberland</i></st1:city> in 1749 shipping Africans to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Barbados</st1:country-region></st1:place>
and the <i>African</i> in 1750. William Le Mesurier with Daniel Tupper were owners
and sellers at Speight’s Town of men and women from the latter’s cargo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Brocks with Elisha Tupper were also
involved in similar shipments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Philip Mauger commanded the <i>Neptune</i> of
Jersey for owner James Lempriere in 1761/2 shipping Africans from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Senegal</st1:country-region> to unrecorded <st1:place w:st="on">Caribbean</st1:place>
destinations. This was especially significant because there was a
constitutional dimension to be exploited in shipping slaves from or to
territories under the control of differing nations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Senegal</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> had sometimes been
a French domain where the Senegal Company was supposed to have a monopoly of
the business in that area. Similar “monopolies” existed in different African
places under British, Dutch or Portuguese control where they were set up to
supply the needs of their own national or allied territories in the Americas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">James Seaborne had commanded the <i>Charles</i>
on a slaving voyage from Guernsey via the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Ivory
Coast</st1:country-region> to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Barbados</st1:place></st1:country-region>
in 1739. This might have been the second voyage for James Seaborne described as
"of <st1:place w:st="on">Guernsey</st1:place>" because he was at <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Ahimamahoe Road</st1:address></st1:street> on
20 September 1738 in the <i>House of Commons Journal.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">He was an experienced slaver sailing out of <st1:city w:st="on">Bristol</st1:city> in the 1730's usually for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Barbados</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Inevitably, Channel Islanders were ideally
placed to participate in a trade that required scarce or restricted commodities
to be shipped to <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place> to be sold or bartered
for slaves. Goods such as ivory or gold were also traded at <st1:place w:st="on">Madeira</st1:place>
or other place for wines or brandy. There was a financial advantage to be
exploited too through sailing under false flags. British goods might be passed
off as French in exchange for cargoes of Africans who had no concept of such
labels but whose value on earth might be determined in accordance with the
scarcity of sugar or the quality of a tobacco crop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<st1:place w:st="on"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Old World</span></st1:place><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> governments
cooperated with the sham arrangements because it was essential to keep the
distant colonies in production so that their proprietors stayed in profit and
European appetites might be satisfied. Even when control changed with different
flags hoisted over the various government structures, business still went on by
some means or other. A few of the more worldly Channel Islanders had the
expertise and the cross-border connections to assist it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The <st1:placetype w:st="on">Island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Tobago</st1:placename>
in the Caribbean Windward group had been confirmed under British sovereignty at
the peace settlement in 1763 along with <st1:country-region w:st="on">Grenada</st1:country-region>,
St. Vincent and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Dominica</st1:country-region></st1:place>.
<st1:place w:st="on">Tobago</st1:place> was captured again by the French in
1781. It was supposed to trade only with French allies after 1783 until the
British returned ten years later. In 1803 the French flag was hoisted once more
– albeit briefly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">All these changes were
very upsetting for the resident colonists - and no doubt created special
problems for the more numerous slaves too - but some of those planters who
could<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>left the Island altogether.
Others, like Joseph Robley, stayed and prospered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Joseph Robley</span></b><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">, the eighteen years old son of a Lake District clergyman, was initially
posted to <st1:place w:st="on">Tobago</st1:place> as a navy-office clerk in
1768. Besides attending to his clerical duties he invested in a plantation too,
specialising in growing cotton. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">By 1789 he was a very
wealthy man, owning many neat estates with windmills of his own special design
and two ships – the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Phoenix</i></st1:city></st1:place> and the
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Laird</i> – which twice each year
transported his produce out and brought supplies in. The ships were
impressively large. One was said to resemble a navy frigate - the other - “a
ship of the line.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">” <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Yet,
in spite of their impressive size, two anchored ships including the <st1:city w:st="on"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Phoenix</i></st1:city>, out of four
flying French colours at Tobago were seized by H.M.S. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Venus</i> in June 1803 and removed as prizes of war to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Grenada</st1:country-region></st1:place>.
News that the countries were at war had not yet reached the <st1:place w:st="on">Island</st1:place>
so that the navy had an unfair advantage. Robley (the Island’s President) sought
restitution through his <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>
agent, nephew John Robley. The Admiralty upheld the navy action, the vessels
were declared as good prizes and Robley faced a loss of £40,000.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">By 1803 the <st1:place w:st="on">Tobago</st1:place> plantations were at the peak of their production
of sugar – which was the mainstay of the economy – at about 9,000 tons or
14,000 hogsheads each year. Other products were the sugar spin-offs of molasses
and rum besides cotton, coffee, lime juice, tortoiseshell, arrowroot and
hardwood. That year too Robley of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sandy
Point</i> even received a Gold Medal for his breadfruit cultivation from the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">London</i></st1:place></st1:city><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The slave population
had also peaked at about 17,000, or one to work every two acres of cultivated
land. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">They were, according
to the terminology of the time “worked rigorously” in spite of all the helpful
windmills and one observer optimistically wrote that :<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Next to the plantation of Sir
William Young at St Vincent’s, I do not believe that there were any men in
existence, employed in cultivation, more happy than the negroes of the Robley
plantation in 1803.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The number of resident
European proprietors to supervise the Africans was only about 500 to 800
besides about 350 “coloureds” or mulattos so that the threat of rebellion was
always present. The French colonies of St. Domingo (<st1:country-region w:st="on">Haiti</st1:country-region>),
Guadeloupe and <st1:place w:st="on">Martinique</st1:place> had all experienced
serious recent insurrections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Barbarous repression
was the order of the day throughout the plantations of all countries. Tobago’s
government – Joseph Robley being several times Governor – was considered
progressive in 1803 when it introduced capital punishment for proprietors who
were found guilty of killing a slave. Previously the <st1:place w:st="on">Island</st1:place>
court only imposed a £15 fine for such an act of “wanton killing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In <st1:country-region w:st="on">Britain</st1:country-region>, the Anti-Slavery movement was already
moving towards a suppression of the dreadful trade in British territories but
other countries, such as <st1:city w:st="on">Holland</st1:city>, were expanding
their plantations in new colonies like <st1:place w:st="on">Guiana</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">By 1805 <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> forbade the expansion of plantations in <st1:place w:st="on">Tobago</st1:place>. The annual import of new slaves was restricted to
a maximum of 3% of the existing population, under a licence system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The supply of slaves
on British vessels to <st1:place w:st="on">Guiana</st1:place> or other new
colonies was also forbidden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It is no great surprise
therefore, that the typical price of a slave increased from £70 in 1807 to £105
by 1811. Inevitably, the incentive for traders to break the rules in the
pursuit of profit was very great. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Cutting, the American
merchant at <st1:city w:st="on">Le Havre</st1:city> had advised Le Mesurier
that slaves "can be obtained by contract in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city> at £32 per head" in 1791.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">For the colonists of <st1:place w:st="on">Tobago</st1:place> the need to create a supply network that was
immune to the vagaries of war was an impossible dream but there were ways and
means to achieve some degree of certainty. Ports such as <st1:city w:st="on">Ostend</st1:city>
and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dunkirk</st1:place></st1:city> had
a long history of accommodating rogue governments or their trading agents.
Other French ports like Cherbourg, Le Havre, St Malo, L’Orient and Nantes had
an important role to play, especially during times of war. The proximity of
these places to the Channel Islands was also important. The presence of so many
merchants and financiers with old family connections across national borders
was like the lubricant in a very large engine of commerce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Thus, Havilland Le
Mesurier had commenced his commercial training with a merchant - most likely
André Limozin – at Le Havre (Havre De Grace). He set up a commercial
partnership with brother Paul in 1785 at that port specifically to trade with
French governed <st1:place w:st="on">Tobago</st1:place> in an ever-changing
world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Initially, William
Collow was suggested as a partner for the new Le Havre enterprise but Joseph
Robley together with Messrs King & Watson of Dunkirk, Abraham Buisson of
Guernsey & London and Francois Claude Adam Delamotte were partners too by
1790.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">David Watson,
Guernsey-born in 1771, served as Le Mesurier's Havre agent in the 1790's
assisted by one Veroillet with Delamotte and Dubuisson providing clerical
services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Le Mesurier et Cie
despatched six vessels to <st1:place w:st="on">Tobago</st1:place> from Havre in
1789, Limozin sent another five, the Collow Brothers a similar number and
Bachelor & Faubisson one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Several other French
ports - notably <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dunkirk</st1:place></st1:city>
- were used by various partnerships but Havre enjoyed a particular attraction
at this time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The Collow brothers
seemed to be involved in many transactions and businesses. Their partners in
1783/5 included Irishman Corneille Donovan with Jacques Carmichael and Jean <st1:city w:st="on">Beziers</st1:city> from <st1:city w:st="on">Amsterdam</st1:city> and
the infamous <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Lancaster</st1:city></st1:place>
born Miles Barber.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Bezier,
Carmichael and Donovan had been commercially active during the American War and
were negotiating to sell prize goods taken into L'Orient by the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Comte d'Artois</i> corsaire, among
others,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in 1780.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br />
</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The inducement to sail under
a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>foreign flag was revealed by the
voyage of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Columbus</i></b></st1:city></st1:place><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Messrs Le Mesurier
& Secretan's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Columbus</i> ship was <st1:country-region w:st="on">Bahamas</st1:country-region> built and registered in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city></st1:place> from whence she
sailed in ballast for Gothenburg on 14 November 1786 under the command of
Daniel Guerin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">She loaded a cargo of
herrings in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Sweden</st1:country-region> "for
Tobago and elsewhere" but gales supposedly drove her into <st1:place w:st="on">Madeira</st1:place> for repairs and fresh water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">At Madeira a
consignment of local wine was bartered for some of the herrings and the voyage
continued on about 7 March for <st1:place w:st="on">Tobago</st1:place>, then
French controlled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The <st1:city w:st="on"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Columbus</i></st1:city> arrived there on 2
April and under a permit from the Governor sold the remaining herrings and part
of the <st1:place w:st="on">Madeira</st1:place> wine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Guerin purchased a
cargo of American (USA) timber there from Daniel </span><span lang="EN-US">King
& Co (supposed British merchants at Tobago) and exchanged some of the
Madeira for Claret (from a French ship) and paid for a few more cases
"with bills drawn on Paul Le Mesurier of Havre de Grace in favour of
French Captain Falaise."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Falaise being<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the surname of several <st1:place w:st="on">Guernsey</st1:place>
captains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Next, the plan was to sail for <st1:country-region w:st="on">Barbados</st1:country-region>, sell the timber and freight with
sugars for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city></st1:place>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Unfortunately the English government had
recently approved temporary legislation, that forbade the loading of American
products at Tobago and Guerin claimed to be ignorant of this when arrested off <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bridgetown</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Barbados</st1:country-region></st1:place>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">There was no port or harbour at <st1:city w:st="on">Bridgetown</st1:city> so the <st1:city w:st="on"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Columbus</i></st1:city> was anchored in the roads of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Carlisle</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
as was usual practice, when a platoon of soldiers was sent on board by Governor
Parry to seize and secure the vessel on 8 June 1787. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Naval captain Barnes had previously warned
Guerin of the proposed action and advised him to sail to a neutral <st1:place w:st="on">Island</st1:place> but neither the Governor nor the acting customs
officers would negotiate with Guerin or anybody else.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In the absence of the regular Customs
Controller for <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Barbados</st1:place></st1:country-region>
it was Surveyor-General William Senhouse who had engineered the seizure with
his "instrument" Samuel Deersley. The Governor was evidently integral
to the plot and the condemnation of ship and cargo was duly confirmed at the <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Barbados Vice-Admiralty Court</st1:address></st1:street>
hearing soon afterwards.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Although Paul Le Mesurier M.P. had been
present when the relevant temporary law had been "strenuously
debated" in Parliament and ship-owners in London were "alarmed"
at the policy, his appeal before the High Court of Admiralty in London was
successful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The four days of legal argument before
James Marriott commenced on 18 December 1789 and the Judge described it as a
"leading case as many others depend on it." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The judgement delivered a strong censure of
the London government and almost everybody involved officially<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in Barbados but praised the enterprising
spirit of merchants such as Le Mesurier, "it would be well for this
country if there were many such Harlequins...it is from small profits that
great ones are accumulated".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Furthermore, Marriott had some interesting
observations to express about the evasion of taxes and laws. He declared :</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Law of
England cannot be evaded...the law exists or does not exist...but everyman is
justified in this war of private property and public revenue in this collision
of interests, of attack and defence of the property of the subject and free
intercourse of commerce. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Columbus</i></st1:place></st1:city><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>case reported in Collectanea Juridica</span><span lang="EN-US"> -</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Tracts regarding
the Law and Constitution of England. Published <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city></st1:place> 1791.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Correspondence
from Paul Le Mesurier regarding this case exists in NA HO 42/12 and he wrote,
presumably to the Secretary of State Lord Sydney, on 1 August 1789 -
"Wednesday ½ past one" - attaching a dossier of papers. His letter
started re "A ship of mine which is seized at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Barbados</st1:country-region></st1:place> but I understand clearly
that the whole is the Act of Governor Parry."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">"Hoping
I am not asking anything improper in requesting you to write to him in such a
manner as you shall think the law merits."..."I shall be highly
obliged if through your means I may obtain a speedy liberation of my
ship."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">He
described the <st1:city w:st="on"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Columbus</i></st1:city><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>as British-built, 230 tons, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city> registered and
belonging to Paul le Mesurier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Ship-owner Daniel King
who had been resident (possibly even born) in Tobago, became naturalised as
French in 1785 having settled at Dunkirk but he was arrested in October 1793 as
a 36 years old “foreigner” along with his partner Peter Watson (28). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The French Convention
had decreed the detention of all English, Scotch, Irish and Hanoverians (except
some children) together with all their papers and effects, that same month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Thomas Collow from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region> was also part of the former Tobago
community that had settled at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Le Havre</st1:place></st1:city>
as merchants after 1783. His brother William was married to Sarah Moore of the
Manx trading/smuggling family and usually maintained a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city></st1:place> base.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Thomas had previously
been a ship’s captain. In the 1750s he was delivering East India goods to the
Isle of Man in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Charming Molly</i>
from <st1:place w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">He too was detained in
prison for several years from 1793. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In spite of having
supplied grain from his warehouse when it was in short supply to residents of
the French port his petitions to be liberated were not successful and he had to
wait until the Jacobins fell from power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">After release he
remained in Le Havre, dying there in 1803.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">How M.P. Paul
reconciled this business venture with his abolitionist colleagues in London is
not at all obvious – but, presumably he did not shout too much about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Du Buisson</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> was an unusual French name
but a Huguenot Pierre Du Buisson had fled <st1:city w:st="on">Orleans</st1:city>
in 1685, settling in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>
where he was part of a family that were calico and fabric dyers (a business
that a branch of the Secretan family was also involved in). By 1770 the family
was wealthy enough to pay £33,000 for an extensive estate near Llandilo South
Wales, which included a mansion house, woodlands, farms and pastures. Here he
established an iron foundry and knife works, making everything with a blade
besides cannon, shot and other war materials. He also supposedly recruited
French labour, creating a self- contained industrial complex with its own
brewery, laundry, slaughterhouse and mills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city></st1:place> the family also
retained business interests with James Henckell & Co. of Dutch origin who
were successful merchants as well as iron and copper workers at Wandsworth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Peter
Du Buisson junior married Henckell’s daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">There
is no clear link with Le Mesurier’s partner but folklore during the Napoleonic
war suggested that the <st1:place w:st="on">South Wales</st1:place> enterprise
was supplying armaments to the French and also engaged in espionage. This was a
coincidence, bearing in mind the fate of the spy Francis De La Motte on the
scaffold in the previous war.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It
was also suggested that Peter Du Buisson of <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on">Hanover Square</st1:street>, <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city></st1:address>
was a participant in Nathan Rothschild’s spying network as well as having
banking interests through Landeg & Co in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Swansea</st1:place></st1:city>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In
troubled <st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city>, bankers Mallet Frères were also
involved in various intrigues and an André Du Buisson featured there too (he
was sent to the Bastille in 1790) but known links to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Le Havre</st1:city></st1:place> are tenuous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">There
were several successful <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Delamottes</b>
in <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region> including a <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> merchant named Charles (he died in 1790), besides <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Hull</st1:city></st1:place> sugar refiners.
Another branch allegedly included Dutch silk smugglers…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It
was also perhaps just coincidental that Frederick Samuel Secretan, the Swiss
financier and Le Mesurier’s ex-partner, also bought a substantial estate in
South Wales when he left <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A.J.
Dubuisson was listed as a <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>
(Cornhill) stockbroker c 1820 when Dubuisson Rougement & Teschemacher were
brokers in <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Mincing Lane</st1:address></st1:street>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Following the
cessation of the American war in 1783 there were many wheeler-dealers looking
for their next business ventures. Some no doubt had the means to carry on with
lucrative war-time scams that circumvented the restrictions of tedious
legislation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Among the many setting
up shop in <st1:city w:st="on">Le Havre</st1:city> was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Miles Barber</b> who had been in the slaving business for decades out
of <st1:city w:st="on">Lancaster</st1:city>, Liverpool and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city></st1:place>. He traded up to 6,000 Africans each
year to the Americans from his “factories” on the river <st1:country-region w:st="on">Gambia</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Guinea</st1:country-region>
and Isle De Los at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Sierra
Leone</st1:country-region></st1:place>. He had been shipping from Africa with
vessels flying French or neutral flags since the 1760s and continued to trade
during the American war through <st1:city w:st="on">Dunkirk</st1:city>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Ostend</st1:city></st1:place> or other suitable
places. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">His Liverpool agent
and sometimes ship-master Thomas Hodgson, supplied to <st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city>
whilst Delaye Frères of <st1:city w:st="on">Le Havre</st1:city> or L’Orient
shipped to French and other <st1:place w:st="on">Caribbean</st1:place>
destinations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Comte Sutton Du
Clonard - the ennobled Irish armateur of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dunkirk</st1:city></st1:place>
corsaires and Director of the French East India Company – was also involved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">During 1776 he was
slaving to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Jamaica</st1:country-region> or other
places using the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wilbraham</i> out of <st1:place w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:place>, drawing upon bankers Peter Thellusson & Co
and owned plantation on other islands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Barber was just one of
dozens trading from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Le Havre</st1:city></st1:place>
who either evaded or avoided the regulations, using the vessels of many
countries, flying various national flags delivering cargoes to and from several
empires or their colonies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Miles Barber was
established at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Ostend</st1:city></st1:place>
very speedily at the end of the American War. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">He had contracted with
Delaye in November 1782 to purchase the former French corsaire <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Caroline</i> originally seized in the Seven
Years war by the English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">She had been retaken
into L'Orient by an American privateer and refitted. Now she was to be renamed
as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Les Trois Amis </i>of Havre<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>and used as a "floating
factory" at Barber's<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isle de Los
slaving centre. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Furthermore the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Arundel </i>ship under captain White's
command was also to be engaged on account of John Shoolbred the <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> chief of the English Africa Company in this dubious
enterprise in which Robert & Thomas Hubbert of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Jamaica</st1:country-region></st1:place> were the likely purchasers
of the human cargo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Barber
died, an exile from debt, at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Le Havre</st1:city></st1:place>
during 1795 from ”an apoplectic fit,” aged 72.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Yet
the family interest probably continued. A French ship carrying 200 slaves was
captured off the African coast in July 1793 – her commander was listed as M.
Barber junior by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lloyds</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">André Limozin</span></b><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> of <st1:city w:st="on">Le Havre</st1:city> was a substantial trader too
with customers and connections all over Europe and the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Americas</st1:country-region></st1:place>. He was well placed to
provide support to the slave traders or others alongside his own grain, fabrics
and other related merchandising activities. During the war he had enjoyed the
American tobacco monopoly, supporting the rebels in every way possible. He and
the Le Mesuriers were working together soon after the declaration of peace.
They possibly colluded during the war too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Liverpool was the
dominant British home-port in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Guinea</st1:place></st1:country-region> trade after the American war
so that was the place to go for expertise and African contacts. The old Royal
Africa Company (of which the De Carterets of Jersey were founder members) had
ceased trading in 1750 - although the Africa Company still operated out of
London’s Mark Lane, under long-term Secretary, John Shoolbred.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Shoolbred
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>owned<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>a fleet of about<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ten armed
vessels commissioned as LOM's from 1777 to 1782 all registered in London and
from 100 to 400 tons and evidently engaged in the slave-trade. His <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bonaventure</i> of 250 tons curiously
employed Philip Journeaux as commander in 1778 but she probably never traded as
the commission was cancelled after six months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Furthermore, there
were some very rich and powerful individuals or families to call upon. Philip
Sanson, <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> banker at <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">65 Lombard Street</st1:address></st1:street>, President of the
Committee of American Merchants of London, was just such a person trading too
out of <st1:city w:st="on">Le Havre</st1:city> (and appeared as a Proprietor of
the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Sierra Leone</st1:place></st1:country-region>
project).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">There
were about 500 slaving voyages from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>
during the years 1776 to 1807. From Liverpool there were almost 2,500 whilst <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bristol</st1:place></st1:city>’s share had
decreased to “only” 261.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The international
banking network was an essential part of the slaving business just as it was
the enabler of so much regional and cross-continent smuggling. Access to credit
or the funding of speculative ventures would have been impossible without the
networks of financiers who often operated out of the prestigious trading
centres in <st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>,
<st1:city w:st="on">Rotterdam</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Geneva</st1:city>,
or <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Hamburg</st1:state></st1:place>.
The old Huguenot Protestant families seemed to have a particularly far reaching
banking “empire.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">There were other very
practical dimensions too, such as the Swiss manufactured fabrics which were of
good quality and undercut French produced materials. These were an essential
part of the trading/ bartering process that accompanied the human trafficking.
Several Swiss manufacturers were also bankers or closely associated with
financiers, usually with Huguenot origins. Mallett Frères, the <st1:place w:st="on">Paris</st1:place> bankers was just such a business linked through
marriage with the extensive Oberkampt Swiss banking and fabrics manufacturing
enterprise. Another was the Prevost banking family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Limozin traded
extensively in fabrics through Le Havre. His many correspondents included
Herries the Bankers in London, Barcelona and elsewhere, Theophilus Daubuz the
Huguenot merchant of London and Cornwall, Mallett Brothers of Jersey, Isaac Dobrée
of Guernsey, John & Henry Le Mesurier of London, Paul Le Mesurier & Co
and Havilland Le Mesurier & Co through Jacques Mauger at Cherbourg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Paul & Havilland
Le Mesurier were also negotiating with John Tarleton of Liverpool in April 1790
regarding a "joint adventure" with St. Domingo from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Le Havre</st1:city></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The French bounties
and the "uncommon demand for Negroes would I am persuaded turn out a most
lucrative one and far superior in every manner to what we can possibly expect
in any of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">English</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Islands</st1:placetype></st1:place>" John
Tarleton wrote to his brother Clayton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">(Tarleton
papers <st1:place w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:place> PRO)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The Tarleton -
Backhouse partnership already enjoyed a huge, long established slave trading
business out of <st1:place w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:place> but clearly wanted
more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Two years later
Clayton wrote to John when the abolitionist campaign was gaining
support..."there is still no certainty in the Africa Trade."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">He saw that <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region> was the place to build up a standby
business base especially since the recent English imposition of a two slaves
maximum per ton would encourage a removal to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></st1:place>. He noted that <st1:city w:st="on">Bristol</st1:city> and other Liverpool ships were already<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>being fitted out for the French trade and
that the French and Spanish were recruiting <st1:place w:st="on">Liverpool</st1:place>
captains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-88206025172397613632020-03-24T10:01:00.000-07:002020-03-24T10:01:23.853-07:00Coronavirus debate - States of Jersey Assembly - 24 March 2020 at Fort Regent Social Security Minister Q and AThese videos are extracted from the official States Webcast which seems to have some gremlins in it.<br />
Look at States Assembly site for the full version.<br />
<br />
This extract - in 3 parts - concentrates on the Q and A session with the Social Security Minister Deputy Judy Martin.<br />
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Number 1 above but the order for viewing is not important<br />
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Number 2<br />
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Number 3Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-53535845475083524342020-01-27T12:58:00.000-08:002020-01-27T12:58:27.110-08:00Jersey Holocaust Day 2020 - and Human RightsOn 27 January 2020 the annual Jersey Holocaust Memorial remembered that Auschwitz camp was "liberated" 75 years ago.<br />
It is also 75 years ago that Jersey was "liberated" from Occupation<br />
Below are video recordings of the two main speakers at the 2020 Holocaust Memorial ; <br />
Jersey Bailiff Tim Le Cocq and Dean of Jersey Mike Keirle.<br />
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Bailiff Tim Le Cocq (above)<br />
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<br />
Dean of Jersey Mike Keirle (above<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Later this year, after the official "Liberation 75" celebrations on and around 9 May, I am organising a Human Rights Conference/Seminar on 27 and 28 May (tentative dates) at the Jersey Institute of Law (Highlands College).<br />
This is still being planned but it is proposed that expert Human Rights lawyers and academics - some of whom spoke in Jersey 25 years ago at my "Liberation 50" Human Rights series - will return to give a progress report on world-wide achievements and Human Rights failings.<br />
<br />
The public will enjoy free entry to the conference and will be encouraged to discuss Human Rights issues.<br />
Local experts will also be speaking at this conference to ensure that the discussions are relevant to residents of the Channel Islands.<br />
<br />
Of course I cannot organise and fund this project on my own.<br />
I need sponsors and active helpers and volunteers to make this a successful event.<br />
<br />
Today about 100 people attended the Holocaust Memorial Day event.<br />
Jersey has a population of over 106,000<br />
I think that Human Rights needs a much higher profile and better public understanding.<br />
It is a matter that affects us 365 days per annum - so a couple of hours on one day per year is not enough. We must build on the Holocaust Memorial and Liberation Day celebrations to embrace human rights standards in Jersey.<br />
If you agree - please make contact with me on 01534 862929 or PM me Mike Dun on Facebook <br />
or email mikedunjersey(@)gmail.com<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-14262465206400661642020-01-22T09:14:00.000-08:002020-01-22T09:14:54.595-08:00Blue Monday and Wednesday - The Fury at Sand Street car park continued....I posted about the problems with paying for car parking at Sand Street - St Helier on "Blue Monday" when I was threatened with a parking ticket for stopping to ask for guidance.<br />
<br />
That parking ticket arrived in the post on "Blue Wednesday" so I have updated my blog to include the latest information.<br />
<br />
For clarity all the events here were taking place and recorded on Monday and Wednesday - I refer to "yesterday" a couple of times in error....<br />
and on Monday the 2 Parking Control Officers supposedly posted to give help to the public were standing alongside the entrance - not in a car as my voice-over suggests in error. I was in the car but got out to speak with them.<br />
<br />
I must now waste everybody's time by challenging the £100 parking ticket by email and shall be attaching this Blog to that<br />
<br />
PART ONE - MONDAY<br />
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PART TWO - WEDNESDAY<br />
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I hope that there will not be a part three....Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-78609516078789662632020-01-19T07:15:00.000-08:002020-01-19T07:15:23.351-08:00Liberation 75 and Human Rights in Jersey 2020 - Disability Discrimination and Gill Curtis MBEI bumped into Gill Curtis today.<br />
That's not unusual because I see her and hear her words all the time - although she died in 2008.<br />
<br />
Gill was of course an artist with vision who worked for the Jersey Pottery for years - but I knew her mostly because of her campaigning for equality and how she saw the unfairnesses of discrimination - most especially from the perspective of disability.<br />
Sadly, I have no recording of her speaking although I would expect the BBC or CTV to have something in their archives but I am provoked by her memory into action whenever I encounter "poor design."<br />
<br />
So today I encountered some aspects of poor design that she would have campaigned against - yet they are still commonplace today.<br />
<br />
Many people will dismiss these observations as trivial but I try to remind people that we all start life as helpless babies needing everything to be done for us and many of us experience vulnerability again - personally or otherwise - as we make this curious journey towards mortality.<br />
<br />
Gill helped me with the Liberation 50 Human Rights seminars 25 years ago and its so sad that she is not here today to help organise something similar for Liberation 75. <br />
Maybe this will provoke others to volunteer.<br />
<br />
Here follows a few words about Gill Curtis and her major work in Jersey which sadly remains unfinished.<br />
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Anybody who would like to record a video interview or wants more information about a possible Liberation 75 Human Rights Project can contact me Mike Dun by PM on Facebook or tel Jersey 862929Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-19908378937588597372019-12-18T06:48:00.000-08:002019-12-18T06:50:54.888-08:00Population Control in Jersey and other games....Every few years the States - now known as "government of Jersey" in some quarters dusts off the "population control" game aka "the obstacles to immigrants" challenge.<br />
<br />
There is an urgency to this game now because that other seasonal game - the "10 Years Island Plan" - has also to be designed and sold to the ever gullible public PDQ. Some call it the "Decimation Game".<br />
<br />
For those interested in Jersey's post Occupation political history I have scanned a couple of images and post them below.<br />
These are from previous attempts - 1979 and 1995/6 - to devise "population and immigration" policies for Jersey and of course they failed miserably.<br />
<br />
What I find especially interesting is that I made submissions in both 1979 and 1995 and I am still wasting my time and energies in trying to influence the decision making process - or even ( I must be deluded) to influence the outcomes.<br />
<br />
What is also interesting is to note how few others have stayed the course but a few very significant names are still evident in 2019!<br />
<br />
I note that John Young (now President of the Environment aka Planning Department) was in 1996 the COE of that organisation (although it has changed its name and address since then) and John has been knocking Alderney into a different shape too.<br />
Also I note that Mark Boleat chaired the 1995/6 Working Party and he has been Knighted ( I do not know what for) and as Sir Mark Boleat has just been appointed to head up Andium Homes.<br />
It may or may not be relevant that he was one of Charlie's Chums at Westminster.<br />
<br />
Who else might have survived the ravages of time I know not but it is the old ideas legacy that concern me mostly.<br />
Of course my political aims and objectives remain remarkably similar to those I gained from my mother's breast ( it was acceptable in those enlightened Socialist days) - whereas I fear that those now entrusted with producing the latest population and immigration policies are also still entrenched in their old discrimination based solutions.<br />
<br />
Alas, I include the latest crop of "planners" too because they have a traditional reliance upon creating zones for anything that does not move and a belief that all land must have some sort of "farming" use priority even when there are no farmers to work it or realistic crops to produce. Thus "call it green" is their mantra and there is no more to be said or done....<br />
<br />
So to cut a long diatribe short - we are inevitably going to come up with similarly flawed policies and plans - if they can be agreed at all.<br />
If you can try to look at the 1979 and 1996 Reports - they are almost as funny as the Beano Yearbook - so ideal Xmas reading.<br />
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<br />Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-78046188809722209552019-10-28T16:16:00.002-07:002019-11-12T08:03:25.876-08:00Does St Helier have a "character" in 2019?Following the workshop on 25 October 2019 - I went an a search around St Helier trying to identify if St Helier has a "character".<br />
<br />
I presume that the Willie Miller organised discussion was more about current appearance than past history but I find it difficult to separate these matters.<br />
<br />
My first video below arose from an entirely chance encounter with Mick Millar whose family were the founders of John Terry Ltd in the mid 19th century.<br />
The original John Terry was from Yorkshire and he built up one of the major agricultural merchant's businesses in St Helier which survived into the 1970s. <br />
Mick Millar kindly showed me around his building which has long diversified into other uses but retains so many traditional features. It describes - with Mick Millar's help - precisely what I want to say and much more.<br />
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<br />
<br />
There were many such businesses in St Helier and this is the central theme of my observation that growing potatoes, tomatoes and flowers etc was not solely a countryside activity. It was integrally linked to the merchants in St Helier and the buildings of the town were inevitably an integral part too.<br />
Thus there were many dozens of granite merchants' stores and they were critical ingredients of the character of St Helier and the commercial and social life of the whole Island.<br />
<br />
Through the merchants' activities the agriculture of the country was brought into the town. <br />
Unlike today where agriculture is a country matter, in the past it was an essential part of the whole of Island life.<br />
The merchants were active all the year round. They employed workers who lived in St Helier, drank in the pubs and spent their wages in local shops. There was no agriculture / town divide as exists today. Working clothes were not banned in workers pubs. To a large extent the merchants buildings and their activities created the "character" of St Helier.<br />
<br />
This no longer exists today. <br />
St Helier has no unifying purpose now. No traditional merchants stores survive providing their traditional purpose. Some have been "converted" into other commercial uses and a few serve as facades only to banking or finance sector activities. There is a curious need for the "planners" to preserve the illusion of the historic and traditional uses and the John Terry buildings will it seems follow suit soon. Some traditional features only will survive when it is inevitably redeveloped.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile Jersey still retains a diminishing "agri" sector which still sets the "character" standard for the country parishes of brown cows in green fields and potato growing.<br />
Although there is a desperate shortage of land for building houses across the Island - the agri lobby resists the release of any land for this purpose. Yet it is also evident that many landowners would be pleased to develop some land and the agri sector faces a doubtful future.<br />
At the same time the "planners" insist on cramming housing accommodation into St Helier or other "built-up areas" and maintain an obsession with creating "zones" so that housing and commercial or entertainment activities are kept apart - and often sterile - whilst the Finance Sector (now the major source of wealth for the Island) has some special status that demands isolation and an architectural banality all of its own. It has not become an integral part of St Helier and its "character" - on the contrary its activities are largely remote and secret and it shows.<br />
<br />
My second video looks at some of these aspects of St Helier where "character" has become the servant of the motor vehicle.<br />
It is appropriate that the sound on my recording is almost inaudible due to the overbearing "traffic noise" and I make no attempt to remedy this<br />
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Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-89385109894434835072019-10-27T10:04:00.000-07:002019-10-27T10:04:06.749-07:00Audrey Murphy Chief Inspector at Jersey Care Commission speaking on 16 October 2019<br />
Audrey Murphy is a former social worker who was appointed as Chief Inspector of the Jersey Care Commission effective from 2 September 2019. Her salary is not known.<br />
<br />
This video of her speaking at the Jersey Disability Partnership meeting was recorded on 16 October 2019.<br />
<br />
The sound quality is very poor.<br />
The Disability Partnership provided no sound system.<br />
It is especially difficult to hear some of the questions asked by the audience.<br />
<br />
If anybody knows how to add sub-titles or captions to this video please make yourself known.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Contact Mike Dun by PM if you have any queries or want to record a video on disability or other matters.Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8055484451266400578.post-63453230630338537312019-10-26T17:59:00.000-07:002019-10-26T17:59:08.519-07:00St Helier Jersey - Urban Character workshop - Willie Miller consultant - 25 October 2019<br />
If you have difficulty sleeping this blog might help.<br />
Planners and designers are especially boring talking about their work and here is a video extract from the discussion on St Helier Jersey's future in conjunction with the latest Island Plan now being produced.<br />
<br />
This video extract lasts about 34 minutes in total.<br />
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<br />
<br />
It was taken from the second part of the "urban character" discussion open to the general public. It lasted about 2 hours.<br />
The first part was with civil servants and States Members the same day .<br />
<br />
Willie Miller Urban Design from Glasgow have visited Jersey before (eg 2005) and seem to specialise in organising such events.<br />
<br />
I asked to video record the proceedings and this was agreed but some members of the public did not want to appear. <br />
I offered to supply paper bags to put on their heads but this was declined. So this shortened recording of the proceedings does not include images of the 18 or so public participants.<br />
Hopefully it might be of some interest to the 106,000 residents of Jersey who did not attend the discussions - but I doubt it.<br />
<br />
The discussion was based upon the premise that St Helier has an "urban character" at all but this was not really discussed . It was one of several unsubstantiated "givens" such as the inevitability of population growth in Jersey over the next 10 years or so and the presumption that new housing stock will have to be built and that a major part will have to be built in St Helier.<br />
<br />
There was no analysis of the economic drivers that might give rise to further population growth or decline. <br />
It seems that past growth is accepted as inevitable in the future too although the likely further decline of tourism and agriculture was not discussed nor how much land in other parishes might thereby become available for development or other uses.<br />
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There was no discussion of Brexit or Climate Change or the Finance Sector.<br />
There was no mention of the 360 or so International Conventions, Treaties or Obligations that Jersey has signed up to according to the current Island Plan nor how these might relate to St Helier or the whole Island over the next 10 years.<br />
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This is especially odd since discriminatory policies already apply to the enjoyment of housing accommodation and employment and it is currently proposed to introduce even more restrictive regulations to discourage immigration and restrict population growth. This "hostile environment" policy appears to be embraced for the future without challenge.<br />
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Although Jersey currently has 20,000 residents who are required to apply for "settled status" as nationals of EU countries only 7,000 have to date done so. According to the law those who do not apply before the end of 2020 will be liable to deportation.<br />
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Such factors can have a substantial impact on the "character" of St Helier and the whole Island. <br />
It seems that many of the issues that relate to the future planning of Jersey remain unresolved or researched just as they were 10 years ago. <br />
This workshop might appear to be based upon superficial economic and population predictions that have not been adequately researched or challenged.Tom Gruchyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01384387998228996741noreply@blogger.com0