|
Sept. 20.
Southampton. |
81. Jean Herault to Sec. Conway. I am afraid of returning to
a place of judicature among rich and potent enemies, unprovided of
means to keep up its dignity, or of authority to keep it from contempt.
Long details of past grievances and proceedings. All these hard
reverses proceed from the implacable hatred of Sir John Peyton.
[4 pages.] |
| Sept. 23. |
82. Statement that the Court of heritage (of Jersey) was this
day proclaimed, but could not be opened for want of a quorum,
some justices being ill and absent, and a difference existing between
Phil. Carteret and Phil. Lempriére, justices, for precedence in the
justices' seat. Yet as it was important for the Court to be held,
the bailiff's lieutenant, by advice of most of the justices, requested
Lemprière to take the place and assist; he refused, when the lieutenant-governor, considering the necessity of the service, commanded him to do it provisionally, without prejudice to his rights.
This he refused, and therefore was by the majority of justices
present sent to the castle. [¾ page, French.] |
Sept. 29.
Jersey. |
83. Sir Phil. Carteret to Sec. Conway. Two jurats being dead,
we elected others, but one, Phil. Lemprière of Dilament, refused
to act, unless he might have precedence of Phil. de Carteret of
Vinchelais; the Court decided that Carteret being long since on
the bench, should keep his place provisionally till the matter was
settled. For this Lemprière refused to act, even though Michaelmas
term came, and though I summoned him in His Majesty's name,
and he was thereupon committed to the castle. The Court had
to be dismissed, because there were not seven jurats present, at
which there was much murmuring. Such contentions injure the
King's service. |
|
There are four chief houses in the isle, St. Ouen, Rossel, Saumares,
and Trinité, which have always had the precedence; the other
gentlemen of the country are sprung from one or another of these,
and take precedence according to their nearness to the stock.
Lemprière is of the houses of Rossel and Trinité his father was a
jurat, judge delegate, and lieutenant bailiff, and the son pretends
the same place as his father in the seat of justice, as holding the
fee of Dilament, although Carteret is issued from the first house,
has long been jurat, and holds the fee of Vinchelais in capite. I
trouble you with this that justice may be done, and no public
disobedience suffered. [2 pages.] |
| Sept. 29. |
84. Copy of part of the above. [4 pages.] |
Sept. 29.
Jersey. |
85. Sir Phil. Carteret to Sec. Conway. To the same effect as
the preceding. Also, |
|
There has been a murder committed by a Norman on a Norman,
a stranger and prisoner in the castle. Justice should not be delayed
in so heinous a case, so I have asked Mr. Carteret, who was going
over to maintain his right, to stay till the Lords' pleasure be known.
Lemprière proposed to be released on bond to answer before the
Lords, and had been released, but he changed his mind and remained
in prison. [3 pages.] |
