Treasury Books and Papers: February 1741

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

'Treasury Books and Papers: February 1741', in Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 4, 1739-1741, (London, 1901) pp. 441-448. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books-papers/vol4/pp441-448 [accessed 23 April 2024]

February 1741


		£	s.	d.

Feb. 2.	19. Warrant under the royal sign manual countersigned by the Lords of the Treasury to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for an increased additional pay to the horse, dragoons and foot serving on duty in Dublin from and after 1739, Dec. 31, viz. from 9l. 2s. 4½d. per diem being the increased additional allowance as by establishment of 1728, Oct. 28, to 11l. 2s. 7½d. per diem to the said forces as they stand augmented according to a computation detailed: further allowing that whenever it shall be judged necessary for a greater number of the said forces to be commanded on duty in Dublin than is computed for by the establishment thus detailed the said greater number shall be allowed additional pay according to the rates of the said establishment, his Majesty being informed that his service may sometimes require such additional force to be on duty in Dublin. Appending:—Copy of a report made to the Lords Justices General of Ireland by the Board of General Officers there in relation to the said additional pay. [Irish Book IX. pp. 214–8.]
Feb. 2.	20. Same countersigned by same to Henry Pelham, Paymaster General of the Forces, to pay to Col. Henry de Grangues 1,400l. without deduction for levy money for a regiment to be raised under his command to consist of ten companies, each company to be of 3 sergeants, 3 corporals, 2 drummers and 70 privates besides commission officers. [King's Warrant Book XXXIV. p. 175.]
Feb. 2.	21. Same countersigned by same to same to pay severally to Major Gen. James Campbell 679l. 9s. 3d. to make good the deficiency of grass money for 330 men belonging to the Royal Regiment of North British Dragoons under his command during their late encampment at Datchet 1740, June 30 to Oct. 15; and 350l. 14s. 7d. to Sir Robert Rich for 329 men belonging to his regiment of Dragoons during their encampment at Cricket Hill 1740, June 23 to Oct. 20; and 654l. 16s. 9d. to Lieut. Gen. Honeywood for 330 men belonging to his regiment of Dragoons during his encampment 1740, June 28 to Oct. 12; and 318l. 16s. 10d. to Major Gen. Henry Hawley for 330 men of his Regiment of Dragoons during their encampment near Devizes from 1740, June 24 to Oct. 6. Appending in each case a statement of the grass account of the said several regiments. [Ibid. pp. 176–8.]
Feb. 3. Whitehall, Treasury Chambers.	22. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Earle, Mr. Treby. Order for the following issues out of the Civil List funds:
	To George Campbell	2,231	4	6
	To Miles Cook	400	0	0
	To John Selwyn for Richmond Lodge	763	15	8
	Same for same out of Exchequer bills on malt, 1740, of 3,000l. to the Treasurer of the Navy for services as in his memorial of the 2nd instant. Same for a warrant for taking in 500,000l. in 3% loans on land tax, 1741, payable after 500,000l. in Exchequer bills [thereon]. “Look out the memorial from the Board of Works about building a wall in some place of the King's garden at Richmond; and let a warrant be prepared for performing the same.” [Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 290.]
Feb. 4.	23. Entry of Treasury approval of representation as below and of the table of prices thereunto annexed. Prefixing:—Representation to the Treasury from the Stamp Commissioners, dated Stamp Office, Lincolns Inn, 1740–1, January 24. In accordance with the acts of Parliament requiring the Treasury once a year to set the prices on stamped vellum, &c. have made enquiry and find the retail rates of parchment and paper to agree with last year's table of prices, “and the stationers supplying the office at the said rates shall allow the same discount as was allowed the last year, viz., 16 per cent. on parchment, 9 per cent. on writing paper, 34 per cent. on printing paper with blanks and 19 per cent. on printing paper, being the differences between the wholesale and retail stationers whom we are obliged not to undersell.” [Warrants not relating to Money XXVI. p. 376.]
[After Feb. 6.]	24. An [incomplete ?] account of Exchequer bills [? made out] on land tax and house duties for the week from 1740–1 January 29 to Feb. 6 [? or an account of payments into the Exchequer on account of said land tax and house duties in view of either the cancellation or issue of Exchequer bills]. 1 page. [Treasury Board Papers CCCV. No. 10.]
Feb. 10.	25. Report from the Lords of the Treasury to the Lords of the Privy Council on the order from a committee of said Council of Dec. 5 last, referring to the consideration of the Treasury a report from the officers of the Mint for ascertaining the rates and proportions at which all foreign gold coins shall be accompted, received, taken or paid in any of his Majesty's Colonies or Plantations in America. Have considered said report and also consulted the Master and Worker of the Mint thereupon and have no objection to what is thereby proposed. Appending:—(1) Copy of the abovesaid order of reference of date 1740, Dec. 5, from the Committee of Privy Council to the Treasury of the report as in (3) infra. (2) Copy of a resolution [of the Council] of date 1740, April 25, for an address to the King to issue his royal proclamation to settle and ascertain the rates and proportions at which all foreign gold coins shall be accounted in his Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America. (3) Copy of the abovesaid report to the Duke of Newcastle from R. Arundell, Master and Worker, Rich. Morgan, Deputy Warden, and Chas. Smyth, Deputy Comptroller of the Mint, dated Mint Office, 1740, November 19. Have made the best enquiry possible what gold pieces are current in the said places, and have used the utmost endeavours to procure pieces of those several species. Have weighed and assayed same in the most exact manner and find that pieces of the same denomination and kind do differ much from one another both in weight and fineness. Have therefore taken the average of all the weights and finenesses and valued them according to the price given for gold of that weight and fineness at the Mint. In order to ascertain the rate at which they shall be accounted in the said Colonies, &c. as above have made the Act of 6 Queen Anne for ascertaining the rates of foreign silver coins there the rule, and therefore propose that the current value of foreign gold coins in America shall be raised one third part above the true value or mint price given for them here. By reason of the great uncertainty both in weight and fineness of the foreign gold coins upon the pieces more especially the Spanish ones, apprehend that it would be beneficial to his Majesty's subjects in America to receive and pay them by the ounce. Have therefore added the true and also the proposed current value thereof as well upon the ounce as upon the piece. Have not examined into the weights and value of the gold coins of Germany and Italy “because we do not learn that any of them are current in America. But if those or any other foreign gold coins not enumerated should become so it will be proper to subject them to the same examination.” (4) A table showing the assay or fineness, weight, sterling value and currency value at which it is proposed to fix the rates and proportion that foreign gold coins shall be received and paid either by tale or per oz. in his Majesty's Colonies in America, as follows (see over):


Denomination of Coins.		Assay or fineness [W.-worse than fine; B.-better than fine.]		Weight per piece		Sterling value per piece.			Currency value per piece.			Sterling value per ounce.			Currency value per ounce.
			Gra.	dwt.	gr.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.	£	s.	d.
French gold coins.	Louis d'or -	W.	1¾	5	6	1	0	042/100	1	6	855/100	3	16	4	5	1	9
French gold coins.	Old French guinea or Sun Louis.	W.	1	5	5	1	0	059/100	1	6	878/100	3	17	0	5	2	8
French gold coins.	Louis, of 1725, called Merliton.	W.	1½	4	4	0	15	1136/100	1	1	314/100	3	16	6½	5	2	0¾
French gold coins.	French pistole -	W.	½	4	7	0	16	738/100	1	2	184/100	3	17	5	5	3	3
French gold coins.	Louis do Malt -	W.	15/8	6	6	1	3	1060/100	1	11	1013/100	3	16	5¼	5	1	11
Portugal gold coins.	Johannes of Portugal.	W.	¹/8	9	4	1	15	770/100	2	7	625/100	3	17	9	5	3	8
Portugal gold coins.	Moidore - -	W.	3/8	6	17	1	6	011/100	1	14	815/100	3	17	6½	5	3	4½
Spanish gold coins.	Spanish double doubloon mill'd	W.	½	17	9	3	7	320/100	4	9	826/100	3	17	5	5	3	3
Spanish gold coins.	Spanish pistole mill'd.	W.	½	4	8½	0	16	1029/100	1	2	572/100	3	17	5	5	3	3
Spanish gold coins.	Spanish double doubloon hammered.	W.	25/8	17	6	3	5	194/100	4	6	1059/100	3	15	6½	5	0	9
Spanish gold coins.	Spanish pistole hammered.	W.	3/8	4	8½	0	16	1056/100	1	2	68/100	3	17	6½	5	3	4½
Spanish gold coins.	Spanish pistole hammered.	B.	13/8	4	8	0	17	163/100	1	2	1017/100	3	19	1	5	5	5¼
	Barbary Ducat or Chequin.	W.	1	2	3	0	7	1077/100	0	10	636/100	3	14	4	4	19	1¼
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVI. pp. 386–9.]


		£	s.	d.
Feb. 10.	26. P. Burrell and Jno. Bristow to John Scrope, dated London, in reply to John Scrope's letter of the 5th instant. In pursuance of their contract for furnishing subsistence money for the forces in America under Lord Cathcart have sent by Sir Chaloner Ogle's fleet the proper orders and necessary supplies to their agents in Jamaica. A copy of said orders had reached the agents' hands by a merchant ship. The agents did not think themselves empowered thereby to answer the demand made upon them by Col. Blakeney for the pay of the American regiment but at the same time send advice that endeavours were using to raise the money necessary for that immediate service. Have no doubt this will be attended with success and from the arrival of Sir Chaloner Ogle's fleet at Jamaica the Treasury may rely upon effectual supply of money to all the forces in America under Lord Cathcart. Endorsed: 1740–1 Feb. 16. Copy sent to Duke of Newcastle in Mr. Scrope's letter to Mr. Stone. 2½ pages. [Treasury BoardPapers CCCV. No. 11.]
Feb. 11. Whitehall, Treasury Chambers.	27. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle, Mr. Treby. Order for a warrant for taking in 200,000l. in 3% loans on land tax 1741 payable after 1,000,000l. [in loans and Exchequer bills] already thereon. Same for the issue, out of Exchequer bills on malt 1740, of 8,084l. 15s. 1d. to the Treasurer of the Navy for services as in his memorial of the 9th instant. Same for the following issues out of the Civil List funds:
	To the Cofferer of the Household in part of 21,700l. for Midsummer quarter	5,000	0	0
	To the two Secretaries of State, each 750l. for secret service, 1740, Xmas quarter	1,500	0	0
	To same, on their patent salaries 100l. each	200	0	0
	To Mr. Lowther to reimburse expenses	1,000	0	0
	[Treasury Minute Book. XXVIII. p. 291.]
Feb. 13.	28. Petition to the Treasury from John Cochran of Waterside. Has been at a considerable charge in carrying on a linen manufactory in the West of Scotland and has brought it to a very great length. Finds by experience that Glasgow is the best place for carrying on such undertaking. Therefore prays a lease of an old uninhabited house and yard there, formerly belonging to the Archbishop of Glasgow [the Archbishop's Palace]. Referred:—To the Barons of the Exchequer, Scotland. [North Britain Book XIII. p. 117.]
Feb. 16.	29. Same to same from Ralph Allen. Sets forth that in 1719 he formed a plan and in 1720 contracted with the Postmaster General for the improvement of the revenue by byeway and cross road letters. That upon the Treasury order of 1733–4, March 22, the Postmaster General was empowered to grant him a third term for 7 years on condition the petitioner, among other new covenants, should oblige himself to support the improvements he made on the country letters, a branch that greatly interferes with the bye and cross road letters, and which before his first contract was much lessened and in danger of being lost. That during this term, which expires at midsummer next, his Majesty's warrant was declared to be the rule to distinguish letters to be taxed from such as were to be sent in the bye and cross road bags free of postage. But in 1735 the House of Commons came to resolutions relating to frank letters which petitioner apprehends materially alter this rule and sensibly affect his contract. In the execution of his contract has not only augmented the revenue, but greatly quickened and improved correspondence, the life of trade. His officers have in many instances been serviceable to the Postmaster General without any expense to the revenue. The chief produce of the byeways and cross road letters arise from correspondence between trading towns in distant parts of the kingdom, which causes the direction of this concern to be intricate in itself and distinct from the management of the General Post Office. Therefore prays a further term in his contract, and freed from the danger he apprehends from the great increase of frank letters. Referred:—To the Postmaster General. [Reference Book X. p. 175.]
Feb. 19. Whitehall, Treasury Chambers.	30. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle, Mr. Treby. Order for the issue, out of loans on land tax 1741, of 224,866l. to the Paymaster of the Forces to answer services as in his memorial of the 18th instant. Same for same as follow, out of the Civil List funds:
		£	s.	d.
	To the Privy Purse	3,000	0	0
	To the Speaker of the House of Commons	500	0	0
	To Jno. Shepherd on foreign bills of exchange	1,059	7	0
	“Let the commissions and instructions to any of the Receivers of the Crown Revenues in the Plantations be inspected by Mr. Leheup, who is to observe what directions have been given such Receivers, thereby, to transmit accounts of their receipts and payments from time to time to the Lords of the Treasury here, and how those directions have been complyed with; so as more strict orders may be sent to them about the same, in case it shall appear that those they are already under have been disobeyed or neglected; and to lay before my Lords the names of the said Receivers and their districts, distinguishing those who have complyed with their instructions from those who have failed therein.” [Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 292.]
Feb. 19.	31. Royal warrants countersigned by the Treasury Lords to the Paymaster General of the Forces to pay 1,400l. each to the following colonels for the levy money of regiments to be raised by them, each regiment to consist of 10 companies, each company of 3 sergeants, 3 corporals, 2 drummers and 70 effective privates, besides commission officers, viz.: to Cols. James Long, John Price, John Mordaunt, Daniel Haughton, Thomas Fowke, James Cholmondeley. [King's Warrant Book XXXIV. p. 175.]
Feb. 21.	32. Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to observe and comply with Order in Council as below. Prefixing:—Order in Council dated Whitehall, 1740–1, Feb. 19, made at the petition of the agents of His Majesty's Sugar Islands in America and of the planters and merchants thereto subscribed, said petition setting forth the dependence of said Islands on Great Britain and Ireland and America for supplies and the danger arising to them from the victualling embargo. “It is thereupon ordered in Council that all ships and vessels bound from any port of Great Britain to the Sugar Islands in America be permitted to export biscuit, beans and oats for the use and service of his Majesty's said Sugar Islands” on proper securities and declarations specified. [Customs Book XV. pp. 78–9.]
Feb. 23.	33. Horatio Walpole to the Treasury, transmitting an accompt of the quit rents in South Carolina and of the application of same from the purchase thereof by the Crown to 1740–1, March 25, stated from the original rent rolls and accompts in said Walpole's custody, transmitted to him from his deputy there. Is not at present able to forward the like accompt of the quit rents in North Carolina, of which Eleazar Allen, esq., one of the Council there, has been appointed Receiver by commission from the Governor there. 1 page. [Treasury Board Papers CCCV. No. 14.]
Feb. 26.	34. J. Scrope to the Customs Commissioners forwarding from the Treasury, for their compliance therewith, copy of an Order in Council as below. Appending:—Copy of said Order in Council dated Whitehall, 1740–1, Feb. 19, for preventing the exportation of corn and grain and other provisions of victuals (except rice and fish) from his Majesty's Sugar Islands in America except to such islands or colonies as belong to the Crown of Great Britain and then only under certain declarations and securities laid down in detail. [Customs Book XV. pp. 81–2.]
Feb. 26. Whitehall, Treasury Chambers.	35. Present: Sir Robert Walpole, Mr. Earle, Mr. Treby. Order for the issue, out of funds anno 1740, of 118,333l. 8s. 1d. to the Treasurer of the Navy for services as in his memorial of the 23rd instant. Same for same of the following, out of the Civil List funds:
		£	s.	d.
	To the late Queen's servants, 1740, Midsummer quarter	4,699	14	2½
	To the Cofferer of the Household in further part of same quarter	6,750	0	0
	To Mr. Lowther	1,500	0	0
	To the Band of Gentlemen Pensioners	1,500	0	0
	Mr. Lowther is to pay to Mr. Stephen Whatley 50l. out of the King's money in his hands. Mr. Verelst is to attend the Treasury on Tuesday next with the letter of attorney or other powers given him by General Oglethorpe to receive moneys here for his accompt. Mr. Paxton's report of the 4th Dec. last read on the petition of Thomas World and Joseph Kell, relating to the estates mortgaged to them by Francis Negus, esq. As his Majesty is disposed to release to the said mortgagees his right to the said estates, the Attorney General is to be advised about the method of doing same, and a proper warrant to be prepared and approved by him for that purpose. The Salt Commissioners' report of 1740, April 11 read, on the petition for Robert Lang and Co., merchants in Glasgow, concerning the importation of rock salt from England to salt works at Glasgow. “My Lords apprehend the revenues here will be greatly affected by such permission and postpone the consideration thereof to a further opportunity.” Order for a warrant for paying the Earl of Hyndford his allowance at the Exchequer as one of the Commissioners of Police to Xmas last. [Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 293–4; Letter Book XIX. p. 567.]