Journal of the Proceedings of the West India Dock Company

The Journal entries are identical to those in the company's Minute Book 1.
The Minute books of the West India Dock Company begin very quickly after the formation of the Company, with the first meeting being held on 8 August 1799. The Court was formed of 21 elected Directors, of whom 4 were Aldermen of the City of London, 4 were Common Councilmen of the City of London and the remaining 13 were Company Stock-holders. The Act of Parliament ordained that 5 Directors should stand down every year and new ones be elected in the same proportions. The chairman and deputy chairman were elected by their fellow directors and held their posts for one year following election, although there seems to have been no prohibition upon their being re-elected year on year. Although the Court consisted of 21 members it is rare to find all of them present at meetings: as early as 1800 attendance settled at around 10 - 12 Directors; there does not appear to have been a minimum quorum. Initially meetings were held weekly on a Friday at the home of Alderman Hibbert, the first Chairman. During the years when the West India Docks were being constructed the minute books also record meetings of sub-committees of the Court, in particular meetings of the Deputation to the committee for the Improvement of the Port of London. In addition to the mundane business of the Company, the Minutes also show reaction to external events, for example the Minutes for 1821 document arrangements for marking the Coronation of George IV. (vol 28, PLA/WIDC/1/1/1/46). The Minute Book for the period June - December 1810 is missing.