Treasury Books and Papers: October 1743

Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 5, 1742-1745. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1903.

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'Treasury Books and Papers: October 1743', in Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 5, 1742-1745, (London, 1903) pp. 319-326. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books-papers/vol5/pp319-326 [accessed 24 April 2024]

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October 1743

Oct. 5. 174. Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners, to comply with an Order in Council, prefixed in extenso, dated Whitehall, 1743, Sept. 29, approving of the erecting of sheds or lazarets for the opening or airing of goods after quarantine performed; and proper houses and sentinel boxes for the persons attending the opening, airing, and re-packing the goods: all as desired by said Commissioners in their memorial to the Treasury of 1743, Sept. 27.
[Customs Book XV. p. 359.]
Oct. 5.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
175. Present: Mr. Pelham, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Compton, Mr. Gybbon.
“Mr. Drisdale, partner to Mr. Guernier, the Apothecary General [to the Army], is called in; and my Lords tell him they have looked over the apothecary's bills and the invoice of medicines wanted for the British hospital in Germany, and would have the materials mentioned in the invoice sent immediately to the army. And their Lordships refer the bills to the Comptrollers of Army Accounts for them to examine into the reasonableness of the prices, and to report with all speed, requiring first a certificate of delivery.”
A memorial read from Nevill Buchanan, esqr., on behalf of the common brewers at Glasgow with respect to the small beer duty. Referred to the Excise Commissioners, Scotland, to examine and report with all expedition.
An Order of Council read approving the building of sheds and lazarets for opening goods from ships under quarantine.
The Auditor of the Receipt's certificate read of the deficiency at Michaelmas, 1743, of the land tax, 1741, amounting to 121,100l.
Same from same read of the amount due (viz., 21,000l.) for interest on the 1,200,000l. loans on salt, anno 1741. The usual warrant ordered.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:—
£ s. d.
To the Board of Works 6,312 15 6
To the Treasurer of the Chamber's establishment 5,802 17 10
To the same for bills 3,710 4 4
To the foreign ministers 8,647 1 10
To the sheriffs 500 0 0
Order for the issue to Mr. Corbett for the Navy of 9,160l. 2s. 6d. for services as in his memorial of the 4th inst.
Same for same to the Treasurer of the Ordnance of 60,000l., half for sea and half for land services.
A letter to the Treasury signed C. D. complaining of frauds committed in the Navy Office (in some of His Majesty's yards), to be sent to Mr. Corbett, Secretary to the Admiralty Lords.
A memorial read from the Trustees for Georgia for the 12,000l. granted them last session. “Write the letter,” A memorial read from the Customs Commissioners for setting out new quays at Liverpool, with the draft of a Commission. Warrant ordered.
A report read from same with the prime cost of velvet in the ship “Lorain,” ordered by the Privy Council to he destroyed. To be sent to the Clerk of the Council in waiting.
Same from same read on the petition of Henry How, concerning his composition. Agreed to.
A second report from the Excise Commissioners read on a second petition of Richard Cross, concerning duty on brandy staved in and lost. The cases alleged are not similar to his. No allowance to be made.
Mr. Gough to be recommended to the Excise Commissioners to succeed Mr. Robinson as Inspector General of inland duties on coffee, tea, and chocolate; John Erskine, tidesman at Kirkcaldy, loco George Maxwell; David Wylie, tidesman at Alloa, loco James Duncan, deceased; Charles Kinross, land carriage waiter at Edinburgh, loco — Chisholm; James Ford (Fead), tidesman, Inverness, loco William Munro, dismised; Richard Mitchell, Thomas Gordon, and John Wallace, tidesmen at Leith, locis Geo. Baillie, Rodrick Pringle, and John McKowan (Kewan).
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 334–6; North Britain Book XIII. p. 472; Letter Book XX. p. 109.]
Oct. 6. 176. J. Scrope to Mr. Drisdale. The Treasury having yesterday considered the invoice transmitted from the Secretary at War of medicines, &c., instruments, &c., wanted for the use of the British hospital in Germany, are pleased to direct same to be immediately prepared and sent.
Appending:—Copy of said invoice.
[Letter Book XX. pp. 109, 110–3.]
Oct. 6. 177. Petition to the Treasury from Neill Buchanan on behalf of the common brewers of the city of Glasgow. Said brewers have from the time of the Union to 1741 paid a duty of 16s. a barrel only for small beer. In November, 1741, the Excise officers charged them with an additional duty of 2s. per barrel for certain quantities of such beer. As payment of this was refused informations were exhibited before the Justices of Peace of that county, who adjudged that the brewers should pay no more duty than was paid at the Union. Previous to this adjudication the Barons of the Exchequer, Scotland, prohibited said justices proceeding any further upon the said informations. Several bills in equity have been exhibited against them by the Lord Advocate for contempt of the order of said Barons. Apprehends that the Justices of the Peace alone have a power by law to determine matters of this nature. Therefore prays stay of proceedings against said brewers and justices, and that no other duty may for the future be imposed on the said brewers but such as is directed by law. Referred:—To the Excise Commissioners, Scotland.
[North Britain Book XIII. p. 472.]
Oct. 11. 178. Warrant by the Lords Justices, countersigned by their command by Sir William Yonge, Secretary at War, to Henry Pelham, Paymaster General of the Forces, for the making out of debentures for the pay of the 5 regiments of foot, viz.: those under Lieut. Gen. Henry Harrison, Maj. Gens. Thomas Wentworth, James St. Clair, John Guise, and Brig. Gen. William Blakeney, and the regiment raised in America under Col. William Gooch, which were employed in the late expedition to the West Indies: it not being possible to have regular muster rolls of said regiments by reason of their being dispersed and intermixed in transports, hospital ships and distant places. The reduction of the American regiment took place, 1742, Oct. 25, two months before their establishment expired, and the total savings thereby, and by death, &c., amounted in 1741 to 11,193l. 0s. 8d., and in 1742 to 31,037l. 16s. 10d. 2 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXII. No. 20.]
Oct. 12.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
179. Present: Mr. Pelham, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
A petition read from Richard Wingfield, fisherman of Hastings, concerning the seizure of his vessel for having brandy and tea on board. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
Order for the same to Mr. Corbett, for the Navy, of 100,000l. for services as in his memorial of this day.
A memorial read from the Deputy Cofferer of the Household for 4,000l. to pay bills of exchange for the Greencloth abroad. Ordered 2,000l.
Same from Mr. Sharpe read for 1,500l. for law causes. Warrant ordered.
A letter of the 7th instant read from Mr. Herbert, Deputy Paymaster of Marines, in answer to Scrope's letter to the Paymaster [of Marines] for an account of money in his hands arisen by respites on the regiments under his care of payment in the American expedition, “in which he informs my Lords that the money arising by respitts being always computed by the muster rolls, and muster rolls having been delivered into that office no further than Christmas, 1740, he hath deducted upon that head only 7l. 14s. 0d.
The Customs Commissioners' report read on the petition of Messrs. Drake and Long concerned a cargo taken by privateers, and ransomed by them. Warrant ordered.
A memorial read from the Trustees for Georgia for their 12,000l. to be exempted from the deduction of 6d. per £. Agreed.
A petition read from Edward Moore concerning the profits of the mines in Yorkshire lately leased to Reginald Marriot, and now to petitioner, praying leave to pay a certain rent instead of the eighth part of the profits, the method of accompting yearly in the Exchequer being very troublesome and attended with great discouragement and expense. Referred to the Surveyor General of Lands.
A report read from the Customs Commissioners on Edward Bage's petition. Agreed that he be not admitted to any composition for his smuggling.
A report read from Mr. Sharpe on the gaoler of Gravesend's demand of 191l. 5s. 3d. for keeping prisoners. A warrant ordered for the issue of that sum “to be disposed as the Corporation shall direct, as His Majesty s royal bounty, that it may not be drawn into a precedent for other gaolers.”
Same read from the Customs Commissioners against employing Lawrence Hall, one of their officers, whom they had dismissed.
“Read Mr. Basket's letter and account of the charge of 500 Books of Exercise delivered into the War Office by the desire of the Secretary at War; and my Lords are of opinion thereupon that as these expenses relate to the Army they should be paid out of the contingencies thereof.”
Warrant ordered for 100l. royal bounty to Arthur Collins.
A report from the Customs Commissioners on the petition of Margaret Jacobs et al. for reward for the taking of Hatch, the smuggler, read and agreed to.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:—
To the Cofferer of the Household for bills of exchange 2,000 0 0
To the late Queen's servants 3,952 17 7
For Richmond Lodge 808 6 7
To the Privy Purse 3,000 0 0
To the Board of Trade 2,000 0 0
To the Secretary and clerks [of the said Board] 546 10 0
Joseph Pratt to be a watchman, London port, loco Richard Daling, deceased; Edward Lewis, a boatman, Brightlingsea, Colchester port, loco Joseph Sheed, dismissed.
“Mr. Corbett is called in, and my Lords take notice that from accounts transmitted from the Commissioners of the Navy to the end of August last there appears to be in the hands of late Treasurers [of the Navy] and of himself upwards of 171,000l. And their Lordships very earnestly recommend that the Comrs. of the Navy should take care to prevent such great sum being unimployed for the publick service at a time when the utmost economy is necessary.”
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 337–9; Reference Book X. p. 241; Crown Lease Book VI. p. 355; Customs Book XV. p. 365.]
Oct. 12. 180. Copy of the dormant warrant for paying Mr. Couraud and Mr. Ramsden their salary as transmitter of papers to the Paper Office. A paper forming part of a series of enclosures, and lacking the covering document.pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXII. No. 21.]
Oct. 12. 181. Treasury warrant to the King's Remembrancer in the Exchequer or his deputy, for the preparation of a commission to pass the Seal of the Exchequer Court for the setting out of new quays in the port of Liverpool.
Prefixing:—Draft of said commission reciting that the present quays there having become too small and incommodious in consequence of the increase of trade. The certificate of the proceedings of the commission in the said setting-out and settling the extents, bounds and limits of all places, quays and wharves within said port, &c., to be returned to the Barons of the Exchequer at Westminster as soon as may be.
[Customs Book XV. pp. 362–5.]
Oct. 18. 182. J. Scrope to the Excise Commissioners, Scotland. From the abbreviate of the receipts and payments of the Excise revenue, Scotland, for Michaelmas quarter last, the sum of 15,035l. 1s.d., appears as remaining in the hands of the Cashier of the Excise for the duties on malt from 1726 to 1743; and similarly 1,145l. 16s.d. for the duty on silver plate. The Receiver General is to immediately remit the said sums to London, or to acquaint the Treasury with the reasons why such large sums remain in the hands of the Receiver General, at the same time that the public is paying interest for money borrowed on those funds.
[North Britain Book XIII. p. 489.]
Oct. 18
and 19.
183. Same to the Paymaster General of the Forces for the transmission to the Treasury of the estimates for the service of 1744, proper to be laid before the House of Commons in the ensuing session.
The like to the Master General of the Ordnance, the Secretary at War, and Thomas Corbet (for the Navy).
[Letter Book XX. pp. 114–5.]
Oct. 19.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
184. Present: Mr. Pelham, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:—
£ s. d.
To the Cofferer of the Household for bills of exchange 2,000 0 0
To Mr. Lowther for Thompson's bill of exchange 125 9 0
To the sheriffs 500 0 0
To Arthur Collins 100 0 0
Mr. Waite to be paid what is due on his pension to 1743, Midsummer.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces of 130,641l. 11s. 3d. for services as in his deputy's memorial of the 18th instant.
A memorial read from the Duke of Marlborough for a lease of some waste ground at Datchet near Windsor, known by the name of “Thirty one acres,” where the inhabitants of Datchet and Windsor, &c., cut turf and dig pits without paying anything to the Crown, and to the danger of passengers, one of whom lately fell into one such pit and lost his life. Referred to the Surveyor General of Lands.
Charles Powell to be Surveyor [? of houses] of the port [sic, ? for county] of Salop, loco John Edwards, superseded.
A petition read from Daniel Quare, late Virginia merchant in London, for a remission of interest on his debt of 1,374l. 10s. 6d. to the Crown. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
Mr. Lowther to pay out of the King's money in his hands 5l. 17s. 6d. to Mr. Vanderesch for printing work done for the Treasury Lords.
Mr. Revell's memorial for 1,136l. 5s. 0d. for victualling Oglethorpe's regiment in Georgia, 1742–3, March 8, to 1743, Sept. 7, referred to the Comptroller of Army Accounts.
Mr. Sharpe's memorial read concerning the charges of the prosecution directed by the Treasury against James Dougan and concerning the case of Richard Shuttle worth with respect to a plea put in to a certificate of the Commissioners of Forfeited Estates. Sharpe to defray said charges out of moneys in his hands for law charges.
A petition from Richard Owen for a new lease of some houses in St. James's Market referred to the Surveyor General of Lands.
Richard Cox, a waterman at Gravesend, to be a same, London port, loco Mathew Yeates, deceased; George Harrison to succeed him at Gravesend.
Write to the several public offices for the estimates for the year 1744.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 340–1; Customs Book XV. p. 365; Crown Lease Book VI. p. 357; Reference Book X. p. 242.]
Oct. 21. 185. J. Scrope to the Barons of the Exchequer, Scotland, The Treasury Lords, being informed that the revenues appointed to defray the civil and other expenses in Scotland have for some time fallen short of answering and paying the same, desire an account to be forthwith made up and transmitted to them of the several sums now due and owing from the several collectors and receivers on the foot of their respective accounts, and also to what time the said accounts have been passed, and whether any, and when, process has been issued to compel the payment thereof.
North Britain Book XIII. p. 498.]
Oct. 26. 186. Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners in England and Scotland severally to observe an Order of Council, dated Whitehall, 1743, Oct. 25, prefixed in extenso, requiring ships from Smyrna and other places where the plague has since broken out to perform 40 days' quarantine.
[Customs Book XV. pp. 371–2.]
Oct. 26. 187. Memorial to the Treasury from J. Gore and Son concerning the exchange rate for bills on Genoa. For the 100,000l. issued to Mr. Gore, senior, by warrants of June 9 and July 15 last, said Gore gave his bills on Genoa at 56½ pence per dollar. For the 50,000l. to be now paid him proposes the same rate at such short terms as shall be agreeable to the Court of Turin. This price is low considering the nominal exchange, which is about 55 pence. “By the great interruption of trade in the Mediterranean by the war and by the plague there is no possibility of procuring bills here to any considerable amount at that or almost any price: they are forced to have recourse to their correspondents at Lisbon, Amsterdam, and other places, and to several other methods of supplying the value of their bills of exchange; which renders it impracticable to afford them at a, lower rate, especially as they are furnished at much shorter terms than the common way.”
Minuted:—ut infra p. 325. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXII. No. 24.
Oct. 26.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
188.Present: Mr. Pelham, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
A memorial read from John Gore and Son, ut supra p. 324, concerning remittances to Italy. My Lords agree to this proposal upon consideration of the allegations within mentioned, viz.: the war and the plague, and the convenience arising to the Prince concerned by the short terms of payment of the bills.
A report read from the Surveyor General of Lands on Lord Sidney Beauclerk's petition for a lease of a house between Windsor Little Park and the Thames at Datchet, in the possession of John Herring, a brewer, of New Windsor, and built by said Herring in defiance of the Crown rights. Also same read from same on the Duke of Marlborough's memorial for a lease of the said house and of a parcel of waste land near Datchet Bridge. My Lords agree to a lease of both house and land to the said Duke.
Order for the issue to Mr. Corbett, for the Navy, of 146,722l. 18s. 3d. for services as in his memorial of the 25th inst.
Francis Davies to be collector at Chepstow, loco Francis Morgan, deceased, at 30l. per an. from the Crown, and 20l. from the Customer for acting as his deputy, or to have the fees of the port.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of Marines of 24,816l. 16s. 8d. for 2 months' subsistence to the 24th inst., as by his memorial of the 26th instant.
Warrant ordered for a further stay of process against Mr. Elliott.
A petition from Patrick Hewett, innkeeper of Morpeth, concerning his bond for uncustomed goods found in his house, referred to the Customs Commissioners.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces of 50,000l. in further part of the 500,000l. granted last session for the support of the House of Austria.
A memorial read from the Excise Commissioners for a reward for discovery of the persons concerned in the rescue of Thomas Skinner, taken up by John Bugg, one of their supervisors.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Chambers of 1,000l. for messengers as by the Duke of Newcastle's letter.
Same for the following out of the Civil List revenues:—
£ s. d.
To several sheriffs 500 0 0
To Mr. Sharpe for law charges 1,500 0 0
To the Treasurer of the Chamber for messengers 1,000 0 0
To the Cofferer for bills of exchange 2,000 0 0
To Mr. Compton 905 0 0
To Mr. Scrope for Secret Service 4,500 0 0
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 342–4; Customs Book XV. p. 365; Crown Lease Book VI. p. 357; Reference Book X. p. 242.]
Oct. 28. 189. Report to the Customs Commissioners from Richard Swainston, their solicitor, concerning the further steps taken in the matter of Deacon's frauds on the coal duties. As to the several crimps who are bound in the coal bonds, finds on inquiry that many of them are dead, insolvent, others are not to be found, and those who are in good circumstances have in a great measure shown that they have paid the money to the collector for which their bonds were given, though their bonds are now standing out against them. Details the names and circumstances of each of the said crimps (22 in all). With regard to the masters of the ships concerned, forwards list as in (a) infra, drawn up according to the various replies to letters sent out to said ships' masters [from the said Customs Solicitor]. 5¼ pages.
Appending
:—(a) Said lists of ships masters, viz., (1) those who have sent crimps' bills and letters, (2) those who sent bills and no letters, (3) those who sent letters and no bills, (4) those who sent no answer at all. 9 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXII. No. 25.]