Treasury Books and Papers: August 1739

Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 4, 1739-1741. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1901.

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'Treasury Books and Papers: August 1739', in Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 4, 1739-1741, (London, 1901) pp. 43-51. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books-papers/vol4/pp43-51 [accessed 25 April 2024]

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August 1739

August 2. 131. Two letters (1) from the Customs Commissioners, London, to the Duke of Newcastle, (2) from William Manley to John Scrope, both dated Custom House, London, and relating to his Majesty's order for the detention of 2 Spanish ships in the port of London; one the “Nuestra Señora de Begona,” Captain Paul de Igareda, master; the other “Nuestra Señora del Carmen,” Captain Francesco Valle, master; and also of another Spanish ship called the “St. Joseph,” Captain Francesco de Pumeresco, master, in the port of Exeter, notwithstanding the order for taking off the embargo from all outward bound ships. Enclose letters from the Collector and Comptroller of Exeter of the 30th ult., relating to British goods laden on board the said ship at that port, shipped by Mr. Ethelred Davy, merchant there, who desires liberty to re-land them, not being in part or whole the property of any subject of the King of Spain.
Endorsed:-My Lords are of opinion that these goods may be re-landed. 2 and 2 pages.
Appending:
-(a) Copy of a letter, from Jos. Crew and John Law, to the Customs Commissioners, dated Custom House, Exeter, 1739 July 30, containing an account of the portions of the cargo of the “St. Joseph” belonging to British subjects. 1½ pages.
(b) Same of same from same to same, of same date, concerning said Davy's shipments and affidavit as in (c) infra. 1 page.
(c) Copy of said Davy's affidavit relating to his shipments and the ownership of them, with note by the abovesaid Crew and Law thereupon. 1½ pages.
[Treasury Book Papers CCCI. No. 12.]
August 7. 132. Petition to the Treasury from Richard Creasy et al. Sets forth that they attended at the last Lent Sessions at York to give evidence against Richard Turpin without which they apprehend that notorious offender could not have been brought to justice. Pray the several rewards of 200l. and 50l. as advertised in the “London Gazette.
[Reference Book X. p. 130.]
August 7.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
133. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
Luke Allen is to succeed John Dovey, deceased, as Chamber Keeper to the Stamp Commissioners.
On reading the Taxes Commissioners' letter of the 2nd instant relating to such of the receivers for this year's land tax as stood respited, their Lordships remove all said respites: by which means commissions are to be prepared for the undernamed to be continued Receivers: Devon, George Osmond; Norfolk, Benj. Nuttall; Suffolk, Edward Clark; Sussex, William Mitford; Gloucester, William Bell; Oxford, Samuel Willimott; Surrey, Robert Corbett. “Nevertheless the Commissioners for Taxes are to let Mr. Benjamin Nuttall for Norfolk and Mr. Edward Clarke for Suffolk know that their Lordships are very much concerned to find so much of arrears in their hands and no due care taken to return the same.”
Baron D'Utterodt's memorial for importing 380 bottles of Burgundy and Champagne from Ostend read. The Customs Commissioners recommended to perform same if they have no objection “as my Lords are desirous of gratifying him who is envoy from Poland in his request.”
Mr. Ripley's memorial of the 2nd instant for repairing the roads in Hyde Park at an estimate of 230l. read and agreed to.
Resolved, that the 100l. reward, advertised 1738 Oct. 21, for the apprehension of David Roberts, lately executed for filing guineas, “be paid them [sic] by the Master of the Mint out of moneys imprested to him for the service thereof.”
Their Lordships are of opinion that Ethelred Davy, a merchant at Liverpool, ought to be permitted to re-land 27 bales of British woollen manufactures, shipped on board a Spanish vessel now lying in said port under embargo: said goods being sworn not to be in whole or part the property of any subject of the King of Spain.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of the Works of 4,947l. 3s.d., for 1739, Lady Day quarter's expense of the Office of Works as by their memorial of May 1 last.
The report of the Board of Trade of the 2nd instant read on Richard Shelton's petition for reward for his services as Secretary or Agent to the Lord Proprietors of the Bahama Islands during the negociation of the purchase thereof. Order for a warrant for 200l. [as royal] bounty to said Shelton.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Chamber for 1,000l. to enable the messengers to perform their voyages, as by the Duke of Newcastle's request of the 2nd instant.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 146–7; Letter Book XIX. p. 510.]
August 7. 134. Treasury warrant to the Excise Commissioners to demand and take sufficient security from the Agents of the various regiments subsisted by the collectors of the Excise revenue for moneys from time to time required by said agents from said collectors.
Prefixing:-Memorial to the Treasurv from said Commissioners. In several counties are under contract with remitters who have given security for the punctual payment of all such bills as shall be drawn by them. In those counties where no such contracts are existing the collectors are instructed to take good security from every person by whom they shall constantly remit in the space of 6 weeks any sum amounting to 200l. or upwards. It has been represented by some of the Agents of the troops to be subsisted that they will have occasion for 1,000l. a month, “and as we have at present only the Agent's note for the payment of the same the security of the revenue is thereby greatly affected.”
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVI. p. 227.]
August 9.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
135. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces of 187,882l. 4s. 0d. to answer the services specified in his memorial of this day, the issue to be as follows, viz.:—
£ s. d.
Money in the Exchequer of the Sinking Fund 135,723 16
Exchequer bills on malt 1739, to be dated the day the issue shall be directed 52,158 7
£187,882 4 0
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 148.]
August 9. 136. Petition to the Treasury from George, Earl of Cholmondeley. By letters patent of 1730–1, Feb. 16, petitioner's father was granted part of the old Palace of Richmond and divers messuages there for several terms to make his then interest 50 years under several rents. Several of the messuages being assigned over to sundry persons, the remainder in petitioner's own right are as follows, viz.:—part of the old Palace, a messuage late in the possession of Henry Goodrick, the stabling part of Godscall's tenement, a messuage late in possession of Anne Darley, and a little building called the Old Barge House, for all which petitioner pays several rents amounting to 34l. The Old Barge House and Goodrick's and Darley's are fallen down, and to prevent the falling of part of the old Palace numbers of workmen are now pulling down the same in order to its being rebuilt. Further, there is a small parcel of waste lying between the said land and the Thames now and anciently a footway but lately annoyed by laying timber thereon. Said waste is already in grant to petitioner but not sufficiently described. Prays extension of lease of the above without fine.
[Crown Lease Book, V. p. 169.]
August 10. 137. Certificate by Miles Greenwood, dated Salt Office [London], of the premiums paid for returns of money, i.e., of the price of mercantile bills for purposes of remittance:—
At Droitwich in Worcestershire 8s. per cent.
Grain Isle, Kent 8s. per cent.
North Shields, Northumberland 12s. per cent.
Shirleywich, Staffordshire 6s. per cent.
South Shields, Durham 12s. per cent.
“The premiums for returns of money have, ever since the commencement of the duties on salt, been allowed by order of the Commissioners on the accounts of the collectors for such collections where the Commissioners judged or found by experience returns could not be had either regularly or with safety to the revenue without paying a premium for the same.” 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCI. No. 16.]
August 10. 138. Petition to the Treasury from Isaac Hobhouse and Stephen Perry. In 1737 owned the “Olive Branch” of Bristol, James Marshal, commander, which sailed from Bristol and several ports of Spain to France, loaded soap at Marseilles, called at Gibraltar, and was stranded and lost at Tarifa in Spain. The cargo was salved, and the soap put on a vessel for Bristol, but was so much damaged and undistinguishable that it was all entered as Castile soap, petitioners not being aware that soap laden at Marseilles and carried to ports in Spain, though brought to England in the same ship, was liable to the French duty. His Majesty has lately obtained a verdict against them for 193l. 6s. 6d., being the difference in the duties on French and Spanish soap. Pray accommodation on account of the loss by salvage “which had it been on the coast of Great Britain would have been considered.”
[Reference Book X. p. 132.]
August 14.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
139. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
Solomon Merret, applying for the 5,000l. appropriated out of supplies anno 1739 for making satisfaction to him and others, owners of the ship “Santa Isabella,” their Lordships desire to see the authorisation given by the remaining owners to said Merret to receive same.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy of 30,000l. out of funds, anno 1739, for services as in his memorial of the 10th instant.
The Customs Commissioners' report read on the petition of John Burwell, who, with William James, since absconded, became bound for the value of a ship under prosecution. At the instance of gentlemen of credit, who give Burwell a good character, their Lordships agree that his part of the forfeiture be accepted in the manner proposed.
Mrs. Kerr is to be paid on her pension to midsummer last, payable by the hands of Mr. Stewart.
The managers of the Bridge Lottery are to have the lottery wheels and other materials delivered to them in the usual manner, according to their desire.
James Glen's petition for a salary as Governor in Chief of South Carolina read and respited “till my Lords are informed how his case stands with respect to Col. Oglethorpe, to whom the salary of Carolina is now paid.”
Order for the issue out of the Civil List Revenue of 6,214l. 12s. 2d. to pay sundry officers on their salaries and pensions at the Exchequer to 1739 Lady day, “as specified in a letter of the 16th instant.” (sic).
Mr. Buckley is to be paid 793l. 5s. 0d. by Mr. Lowther out of the King's money in his hands for sundry particulars furnished for His Majesty's service, as in his memorial of the 21st June last.
Mr. Lowther is to pay out of the King's money in his hands to himself, Samuel Clarke, Edmund Grantham, and James Wright, 13l. 5s. 0d. craved by them for sundry disbursements in sending to Scotland by post the land tax for the year 1738.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 149–150.]
August 14. 140. Royal sign manual, countersigned by the Lords of the Treasury directed to the Attorney and Solicitor General for the preparation of a bill for the royal signature, to pass the Great Seal of Great Britain for a grant to the Duke of Cumberland of a yearly rent or sum of 15,000l. to himself and his heirs, to take effect upon the King's demise, with power to grant, limit or appoint to the value of a third of same by way of jointure, provided his marriage be with the King's consent signified under the royal sign manual, and with certain specified power of willing, alienating, &c. To be payable out of the Post Office.
[King's Warrant Book XXXIII. pp. 339–44.]
141. Same countersigned by same to same for same of a grant of an annuity of 24,000l. to the Princesses Amalie, Caroline, Mary, and Lovisa, payable out of the hereditary excise, during their natural lives from the day of the King's demise, and with certain provisions as to marriage or death. Provided that nothing in said grant shall hinder or obstruct the payments of the weekly sum of 3,700l. or the yearly sum of 15,759l. 19s. 4d. charged by Act of Parliament upon the said excise.
[Ibid. 344–9.]
[After
August 15]
142. Memorial to Sir William Yonge, Secretary at War, from the Agents to the several regiments of Horse Dragoons and Foot in South Britain, concerning the letters as below from the Secretary to the Commissioners of Excise, requiring from said Agents a security for double the sums advanced by the Excise collectors for subsistence money to the respective regiments. The said Commissioners have already sent orders to all their collectors not to pay any more money for the subsistence of the Forces. For many years past the Army has been constantly supplied by the Excise Office, the proceeding being a convenience to the collectors for the return of public moneys. The issues are only made on an order from the Treasury, and on the back of said order the Agents oblige themselves to answer all bills drawn in pursuance thereof, and the securities given by them to their Colonels, who are themselves the trustees for the pay of their respective regiments, will surely be thought sufficient. Such a security as the Commissioners require is altogether impracticable from the uncertainty of the sums required at different times, the frequent movements of troops, and changes of Colonels and Agents.
Together with:—Copies of two letters from Bendall Martyn, Secretary to the Commissioners of Excise, dated Excise Office, London, 1739 August 14 and August 15, to Alexander Wilson, concerning the above regulation made, requiring two securities in the penalty of double the sum issued. 2 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCI. No. 18.]
August 16. 143. Petition to the Treasury from John Seyliard and Shearman Godfrey, sureties for Michael Warwick, late collector for imported liquors at the Port of London. At the late dreadful fire adjoining the Custom House, on Oct. 25 last, Warwick hastened from his dwelling house to secure his cash in the Long Room at the Custom House, and being without any proper aid amidst a vast crowd his spirits were so much overpowered in conveying his bills, money, and bank notes to a place of safety, that being not able to go any further than the Dolphin Tavern in Tower Street, he sat down and immediately dropped down dead, having only a boy of 11 years old with him, who immediately shrieking out alarmed the people at the Tavern and in the street, who broke into the room where the bags, papers, &c. lay on the table. Said bags, papers and bills were afterwards conveyed into a room behind the bar and kept there without any account for about an hour until Mr. Pratt and Mr. Palmer, chief officers for exciseable liquors at the port of London, came and secured the effects, which were found to amount to 2,647l. State their reasons for supposing that embezzlement had taken place prior to the arrival of said officers.
[Reference Book X. pp. 131–2.]
Aug. 20. 144. Memorial from the Board of Works, Whitehall, to the Treasury, concerning the final accompt of the late Hugh Howard, Esq., Paymaster of His Majesty's Works, with notes on the items of the total 2,017l. 7s.d. due to the Crown from said Howard's executor. Inter al. “That in May, 1729, upon application to your Lordships from the Board of Works you were pleased to impress to Mr. Howard the sum of 500l. to enable him to pay the labourers of the office their wages monthly, before which time their necessitous conditions obliged them to sell their wages for at least a fifth part loss.”
Endorsed:—Agreed to, 1739 August 21. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCI. No. 20.]
Aug. 21.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
145. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy out of Exchequer bills on land tax 1739, of 21,662l. for services, as in his memorial of the 20th instant.
Same for the following issues out of the Civil List funds:—
£ s. d.
To the Privy Purse 3,000 0 0
To Mr. Walton and others, specified in a letter to the Exchequer, whereof 6,000l. to the Cofferer of the Household 10,774 14 11
To Mr. Stewart, for Lord Saye and Sele, and Mr. Fisher 250 0 0
The memorial of the Board of Works of the 20th instant represents that 2,017l. 7s.d. stands charged on the executors of Hugh Howard, as a Balance due from him to the Crown on his final accompt as late Paymaster of the Works. Order for a warrant for said executors to pay said balance to the present Paymaster of the Works and for the Auditor to surcharge the present Paymaster therewith, and discharge said executors.
Mr. Finch is to be cleared on his appointments as Envoy in Sweden to midsummer last.
The memorial of the Paymaster General of the Forces of the 6th instant including Sir Joseph Eyles's proposals for remitting the subsistence money to Minorca and Gibraltar read and agreed to as follows; the rates of exchange being certified to be as usual, viz.;
17,500 dollars for Minorca, payable in gold at sight at 55d. per dollar.
18,850 dollars for Gibraltar, payable in gold at sight at 54½d. per dollar.
Order for the proper warrant for the Paymaster of the Forces to pay to the Lieutenant Governor of Minorca 757l. 10s. 0d. upon account for wood, oil and other contingencies for the garrison there as by his memorial of the 9th instant.
Mr. Lowther is to pay out of the King's money in his hands 12l. to Edward Bryant for travelling charges and attendance on Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer at Houghton in Norfolk, 1739, July 17 to 24, being 18 (sic) days at 13s. 4d. per diem.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 151–2.]
Aug. 24. 146. Sir John Eyles, Postmaster General, to the Treasury, dated General Post Office. Upon the misunderstandings with Spain in 1727, the Postmasters General were ordered by royal warrant not only to increase the force of the pacquet boats between Great Britain and Lisbon, but also to station two other pacquet boats between Lisbon and Gibraltar, which was accordingly done by hiring one vessel at Lisbon for that service, and putting one of the Groyne boats on that station. Desires a royal warrant for the same measure now, if deemed necessary.
Endorsed: 1739, August 27. Agreed to. Prepare a warrant accordingly. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCI. No. 24.]
Aug. 28.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
147. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
The memorial to the Secretary at War from the agents to the regiments is read concerning the order given to them by the Excise Commissioners for security to be given for subsistence money furnished to them by the Excise Collectors. “My Lords take further time to consider thereof.”
A memorial from the Postmaster General of the 24th instant for 2 packet boats to be stationed between Lisbon and Gibraltar read and agreed to.
Sir William Yonge's letter of the 23 instant enclosing a memorial for altering the method hitherto pursued in distributing rewards to the soldiers making [customs or excise] seizures read. Their Lordships take further time to consider thereof.
The Earl of Westmorland's petition for renewing grants of offices in Rockingham Forest read and referred to the Surveyor General [of Crown Lands.]
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy of 27,324l. out of funds anno 1739, for services as in his memorial of the 27th instant.
The Gentlemen and Grooms of the Bedchamber to be paid their annuities to Lady Day, 1739, and Earl Warwick on his to 1739, Midsummer.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 153.]
Aug. 30. 148. The Duke of Devonshire, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, to the Treasury, dated Devonshire House, for preparation of the proper instrument for the royal signature for allowing to the officers and privates of the regiments of Horse Dragoons and Foot on the establishment of Ireland a day's pay for the 29th day of February in every leap year in the same way as to the regiments in England: His Majesty having condescended to the same.
Endorsed:—Recd. 4 Sept., 1739. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCI. No. 26.]
Aug. 30. 149. Petition to the Treasury from Charles Duke of Richmond and James Brudenel, Esq. “William Radcliffe uncle of James late Earl of Derwentwater, in consideration of 3,500l. conveyed by deed signed 19th January, 1716, to Ralph Radcliffe of London, merchant, several lands of the yearly value of 250l. and an annuity of 200l. for his (William's) life out of the said Earl's estate; for which 3,500l. Ralph gave his bond to William and afterwards by a writing dated 25 June, 1719, William agreed to accept of Ralph 450l. per an. in discharge of the bond. That William went to Rome and it appears by sundry letters that, notwithstanding the above deed polls, Ralph accounted with him for the profits of the estate and the annuity of 200l., by which it is plain that the deeds were only colourable and Ralph trustee for William. That 26 October 1732 William died a bachelor at Rome and by his will gave his estate real and personal to James Radcliffe, son of William's nephew Charles Radcliffe, by the name of Lord Kinaird, and left to Ralph Radcliffe the sum of 3,500l. which he owed him and orders the said Ralph to give his heir possession of this land which he holds. That Ralph refuses to comply with the directions of the will, objecting to the manner of making it, and if the said will is not a legal one they apprehend the estate to be in the Crown as forfeited by the attainder of the said Earl of Derwentwater, who was eldest nephew of the said William. And pray for a grant of the rent and profits of the estate since the death of William Radcliffe.”
Referred to the Attorney and Solicitor General.
[Reference Book X. p. 134.]