Colonial Office and predecessors: Barbados, Sessional Papers
Item
Country
GB
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
eng
Contact information: postal address
Kew, Richmond TW9 4DU London
Contact information: phone number
0044 020 8876 3444
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
Reference number
CO 31
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (official language of the state)
Colonial Office and predecessors: Barbados, Sessional Papers
Language of title
eng
Creator / accumulator
Board of Trade
Secretaries of State
Colonial Office
Date(s)
1660/1965
Language(s)
eng
Extent
156 volumes
Type of material
Textual Material
Scope and content
This collection is part of the subdivision of the Colonial Office fonds that comprises sessional papers from colonial governments relating to legislative and administrative business undertaken within colonies. Sessional papers tend to be of three types: 1) records of the Legislative Council, which are bound volumes of agenda and minutes of meetings; 2) records of the Executive Council, which also contain transcripts of letters received and details of subsequent actions, proclamations, drafts of proposed ordinances and approval of various estimates and contracts; and 3) the administration reports of the local government departments, which provide detailed descriptive and statistical information on almost every aspect of colonial rule.
The sessional papers related to Barbados contain some information on the dynamic Sephardic community settled on this island. For instance, CO 31/6 (p. 402) includes a petition of Isaac Dias, David Namias, and Jacob Nimes, wardens of the Jewish Nation, dated March 18, 1701, complaining that they are overtaxed for Church and Parish dues, heard, and argued by Council.
The sessional papers related to Barbados contain some information on the dynamic Sephardic community settled on this island. For instance, CO 31/6 (p. 402) includes a petition of Isaac Dias, David Namias, and Jacob Nimes, wardens of the Jewish Nation, dated March 18, 1701, complaining that they are overtaxed for Church and Parish dues, heard, and argued by Council.
Archival history
Sessional papers were produced by most colonial governments. Under colonial regulations instituted in 1837, the proceedings of the houses of assembly and legislative councils, with copies of acts passed and lists of members, were sent twice a year to the Colonial Office in London. The regulations clarified the procedure, but some sessional papers had been produced before this date.
Administrative / Biographical history
The Colonial Office was established as a separate body headed by a Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1854.
It was preceded by the Board of Trade, or Lords of Trade and Plantations, which was founded in 1696 and continued until 1782. Although from 1675, the secretaries of state were always lords of trade, their involvement in colonial affairs was at first slight and only developed in the 18th century. At first, either secretary might be concerned, but eventually, it became established that the colonies were the responsibility of the secretary of state for the Southern Department. He was the channel of communication between the Crown and the Board of Trade but depended on the board for effective action in many fields of colonial affairs. In 1768, a third secretary of state, the colonial or American secretary, was appointed, and the colonial functions of the southern secretary were transferred to him. From 1769 to 1779, he was also president of the Board of Trade. With the loss of the American colonies, the Board of Trade and colonial secretaryship were abolished by an act of 1782.
Until 1801, colonial affairs were in the hands of the Home Secretary. In 1801, he became Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. The restoration of peace in 1815 and the increased demands that the acquisition of new colonies during the war had imposed meant that his colonial responsibilities then became paramount, and by 1822 the office included four Geographical Departments dealing with colonies in different areas of the world.
In 1854, the Colonial Office, headed by a Secretary of State for the Colonies, was established. The division of the office into geographical departments continued, general business being entrusted to the chief clerk. In 1870 a General Department took some of the work of the chief clerk, an Accounts Branch was set up in 1869, and there was a separate Emigration Department from 1878 to 1894. In 1907, a Dominions Division was set up; in 1925, this became the separate Dominions Office, though the offices of Secretary of State for the Colonies and Secretary of State for Dominions Affairs were sometimes held by the same person. The remaining geographical departments were grouped in a Crown Colonies Division. The territories mandated to Britain following the First World War were also administered by the Colonial Office. From 1907 to 1925, it was responsible for the work of the Imperial Institute.
From 1930 the number of subject departments increased considerably, a trend which was accentuated during World War II. The granting of independence to growing numbers of colonies in the post-war period and the termination of mandates led to a decrease in the responsibilities of the Colonial Office. Relations with the former colonies became the concern of the Commonwealth Relations Office and other newly created offices. In 1966, the Colonial Office was merged with the Commonwealth Relations Office to form the Commonwealth Office.
It was preceded by the Board of Trade, or Lords of Trade and Plantations, which was founded in 1696 and continued until 1782. Although from 1675, the secretaries of state were always lords of trade, their involvement in colonial affairs was at first slight and only developed in the 18th century. At first, either secretary might be concerned, but eventually, it became established that the colonies were the responsibility of the secretary of state for the Southern Department. He was the channel of communication between the Crown and the Board of Trade but depended on the board for effective action in many fields of colonial affairs. In 1768, a third secretary of state, the colonial or American secretary, was appointed, and the colonial functions of the southern secretary were transferred to him. From 1769 to 1779, he was also president of the Board of Trade. With the loss of the American colonies, the Board of Trade and colonial secretaryship were abolished by an act of 1782.
Until 1801, colonial affairs were in the hands of the Home Secretary. In 1801, he became Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. The restoration of peace in 1815 and the increased demands that the acquisition of new colonies during the war had imposed meant that his colonial responsibilities then became paramount, and by 1822 the office included four Geographical Departments dealing with colonies in different areas of the world.
In 1854, the Colonial Office, headed by a Secretary of State for the Colonies, was established. The division of the office into geographical departments continued, general business being entrusted to the chief clerk. In 1870 a General Department took some of the work of the chief clerk, an Accounts Branch was set up in 1869, and there was a separate Emigration Department from 1878 to 1894. In 1907, a Dominions Division was set up; in 1925, this became the separate Dominions Office, though the offices of Secretary of State for the Colonies and Secretary of State for Dominions Affairs were sometimes held by the same person. The remaining geographical departments were grouped in a Crown Colonies Division. The territories mandated to Britain following the First World War were also administered by the Colonial Office. From 1907 to 1925, it was responsible for the work of the Imperial Institute.
From 1930 the number of subject departments increased considerably, a trend which was accentuated during World War II. The granting of independence to growing numbers of colonies in the post-war period and the termination of mandates led to a decrease in the responsibilities of the Colonial Office. Relations with the former colonies became the concern of the Commonwealth Relations Office and other newly created offices. In 1966, the Colonial Office was merged with the Commonwealth Relations Office to form the Commonwealth Office.
Sources:
Access points: locations
Access points: corporate bodies
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
Records are organised by institutions (Assembly, Council, etc.) and chronologically.
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Carla Vieira, 2023
Linked resources
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