Treasury Books and Papers: April 1744

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: April 1744', in Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 5, 1742-1745, (London, 1903) pp. 467-475. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books-papers/vol5/pp467-475 [accessed 19 March 2024]

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April 1744

April 3. 59. Same to the Customs Commissioners, England and Scotland, to observe an Order of the King in Council, as follows.
Prefixing: —Said Order, dated St. James's, 1743–4, March 24, enjoining, in consequence of the notification of the French King's intention to declare war, an embargo or stop to be made of all French ships or vessels whatsoever, now within or which hereafter shall come into any of the ports, harbours, or roads of the kingdom of Great Britain, together with all persons and effects on board the said ships until further order.
[Customs Book XV. p. 410.]
1744.
April 3.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
60. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Mr. Gybbon, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Fox.
A petition read from David (Daniel) Macnamara, of London, merchant, concerning olive oil seized on the “Nancy,” from Rotterdam, under the Navigation Act. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
A memorial read from the Earl of Stair desiring that all letters and packets coming to or from him, as Commander of the Forces, may pass postage free. Write to the Paymaster General signifying my Lords' consent thereto, during the time said Earl shall continue Commander in Chief here accordingly.
A letter read from the General of the Dutch troops here praying the delivery of some wines imported for his own use in the ship “Foster,” William Foster, master. To be sent to the Customs Commissioners.
A memorial read from the Commissioners of the Navy for 6,000l., to pay the transports, &c., for the Dutch troops. General Wentworth with Mr. Harvey (who was directed to be here on that affair) attending are called in, and after talking with said General thereupon my Lords desire him to settle this account with the Navy Commissioners in order to prevent any confusion in the accounts of this service.
Mr. Bowles, Mr. Lambton, and 2 other gentlemen attend with a petition of the coal fitters of Sunderland port, for stay of the fieri facias against them, as they are endeavouring to raise money to pay off their coast bonds. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer, on his memorial of this day of 2,000l., which, with the 6,000l. issued for freight of transports for bringing over the Dutch troops, &c., but now directed to be applied to the head of wear and tear, makes up the 8,000l. desired by said memorial.
Same for same to same of 15,000l. on the head of victualling to pay imprests and bills of exchange.
A memorial read from Viscount Cornbury, Warden of Wychwood Forest, for repairs there, and for building a ranger's lodge. Referred to the Surveyor of Woods.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces of 112,509l., for 6 months' pay and subsist of the forces in Gibraltar, Minorca, and the Plantations, to 1744, June 24, according to his memorial of the 29th ult.
Same for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:—
£ s. d.
To the Cofferer of the Household for purveyors for the month of April 2,000 0 0
To Mr. Ranby 533 14 0
To city impost, one year to 1742, Xmas 98 14 0
To the Attorney and Solicitor General 231 0 0
To the Usher of the Exchequer 1,101 16
To Blackerby's executors 7 10 6
To the Privy Purse 3,000 0 0
To Mr. Janssen 290 4 0
To the underclerks of the Council 300 0 0
To Sir Clement Cotterell 1,082 14 6
To the Duke of St. Albans 20 0 0
A memorial read from the Principal Officers of Dean Forest about destruction of timber there by Viscount Gage's agents. Mr. Sharpe to attend the Attorney General herewith.
Mr. Lowther to pay out of the King's money in his hands 2l. 5s. 0d. to William Hodges for smith's work at the Treasury, from 1739–40, Jan. 11, to 1744, April.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 2–4; Letter Book XX. p. 130; Reference Book X. pp. 251, 252; Customs Book XV. p. 410.]
April 4. 61. Treasury order for the execution of a Lord Chamberlain's warrant to the Duke of Montagu, of date 1742, Dec. 24, for the provision of furniture, detailed, for His Majesty's use at St. James's: to an estimate of 460l.: including, inter al., items for Mr. Longuest the Duke of Cumberland's page, Mrs. Blondeau, the Countess of Yarmouth, Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Swinton, Mrs. Dearing, Mrs. Boatson, the Duke and Princesses, to mend the seats in the House of Commons and woolpacks in the House of Lords, and to make a small addition to the green damask awning to the “Georgia” boat at Kew.
[Lord Chamberlain's Warrant Book II. pp. 207–8.]
April 5.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
62. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Mr. Gybbon, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Fox.
A memorial read from the Earl of Arran for payment of the arrears of the Prizage and Butlerage of wines: and that he may be paid at that rate until the Government shall determine further therein. Order for a warrant accordingly. Write to the Revenue Commissioners, Ireland, to make a return to the reference of this affair in July last, or if they have reported thereon, then to send a copy.
The Paymaster of the Forces' memorial of the 31st ult. transmitting Messrs. Burrell and Bristow's proposal for furnishing subsistence money for the troops in Minorca and Gibraltar, 1744, April 25 to June 24 read and agreed to as follows, viz.: 35,500 dollars for Minorca at 55d. per dollar, 25,600 dollars for Gibraltar at 54½d. per dollar.
A petition read from George and William Hawes, merchants, concerning their debt to the Crown for tobacco bonds. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
“My Lords this day order that no officer of the Customs shall have leave of absence for more than 3 months.”
Memorials read from General Frampton and Col. Richbell for leave to import from Ireland, duty free, the clothing of their regiments, having been bespoke before their regiments were ordered thence. My Lords think it reasonable, the said regiments continuing in the pay of Ireland.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 5–6; Reference Book X. p. 252.]
[After
April 8.]
63. An abstract of the produce of the wool licences to the Duke of Devonshire, as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, for 1 year from 1743, April 9. (Total produce, 1,635l. 8s. 4d., leaving a deficiency of 2,364l. 11s. 8d. in order to make up the 4,000l. per an. due thereout to said Lord Lieutenant.) 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXIII. No. 30.]
April 9. 64. Royal warrant, countersigned by the Treasury Lords, for an imprest of 544,982l. 12s.d. to the Paymaster of the Forces for extraordinaries of the forces for the years 1742 and 1743, and for same to be allowed on his account.
Appending:—Statement of account of said extraordinaries (viz., for the British troops, 281,132l. 3s. 10d., for the Hanoverian troops, 214,973l. 10s. 7d., and for the Hessian troops, 28,064l. 19s. 8d., and for the forces in the Plantations, Minorca and Gibraltar, 20,959l. 4s.d.).
[King's Warrant Book XXXV. pp. 398–402.]
April 10.
[Entry in
King's Warrant
Book
dated
April
30.]
65. Same countersigned only by the Secretary at War, to Thomas Winnington, Paymaster General of the Forces to pay to the several colonels of horse and dragoons as below various sums, detailed (5,460l. in all), to enable them to replace 331 horses and accoutrements which were lost at the battle of Dettingen: same being at the rate of 20l. for each horse and accoutrement belonging to the Guards, and 15l. for same belonging to the Dragoons, viz.:—
Horses. £
Horse Earl of Albemarle 6 120
John, Earl of Crawford 14 280
James, Lord Tyrawley 3 60
Algernon, Earl of Hertford 27 540
Sir Philip Honywood 24 480
Sir John Ligoniere 25 500
Dragoons. Lieut. Gen. Henry Hawley 6 90
Sir James Campbell 5 75
Brig. Gen. Humphry Bland 145 2,175
Sir Robert Rich 39 585
Field Marshal Earl of Stair 20 300
Sir John Cope 17 255
2 pages.
Appending
:—(a) An account of the number of horses lost at the battle of Dettingen, together with an estimate of the charge thereof. In triplicate. 1 and 1 and 1 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXIII. No. 32; King's Warrant Book XXXV. pp. 416–7.]
April 10.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
66. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Mr. Gybbon, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Fox.
Order for the issue out of funds, anno 1744, of 80,000l. to the Treasurer of the Ordnance, half for land and half for sea services.
Same for a sign manual for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces of 100,000l. in further part of 300,000l. for the Queen of Hungary, and 50,000l. in part of 200,000l. for the King of Sardinia as desired in said Paymaster's memorials of the 9th inst.
A petition read from Gibbon Hawker, of Sittingbourne, Kent, concerning his expenses in defending suits concerning 614 pieces of broad gold as treasure trove found by Thomas Love et al. in Decr., 1737, in a shave of wood in the manor of Tunstall, Kent, belonging to Sir John Hales, deceased, he being ready to pay same to the Crown. Referred to Mr. Sharpe.
A letter read from Mr. Revell praying the Treasury's interposition with the Admiralty for a 20 gun frigate to convoy the “Argyle” with provisions for Gibraltar. An extract to be sent to Mr. Corbett to be laid before the Admiralty.
Leave of absence to Richard Kingdom (Kingdon), tidesman, London port.
A letter read from William Pettycrew, deputy Consul at Tetuan, with a bill of exchange drawn by him on the Treasury for 192l. To be sent to Mr. Latton, the Consul.
Leave of absence to Richard Righton for 2 months only, and then to be superseded if not returned.
Letters read from the Duke of Grafton for 250l. for the King's present to Madm. Wassenberg, and 300l. for same to Signor Grossa Testa, minister from Modena.
The Customs Commissioners' report read on the petition of Capt. Lovell and Capt. Clies, of the two Lisbon packets. A copy to be sent to the Postmaster General.
A letter read from the Duke of Newcastle transmitting a bill amounting to 137l. 6s. 4d. of expenses defrayed by Mr. Russell on account of the Tripoli Ambassadors, whom he was directed by the Lords Justices in Mr. Stone's letter of the 13 Oct. last to receive on arrival. See if no part of this has been paid.
Same from same read enclosing a bill of expenses by Mr. Parker amounting to 387l. Warrant ordered.
A presentment from the Customs Commissioners read for paying Thomas Mears, one of their officers, the moiety of 34l. 11s. 0d., being coin seized by him on board the ship “Willingmind,” on exportation. Warrant ordered.
The Duke of Bolton's memorial read praying as Governor of the Isle of Wight and Vice-Admiral of Hants the delivery to him of several goods saved out of a wreck in Sandown Bay on the coast of the Isle of Wight, in February last. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
A memorial from Mr. Jennison read for 140l. for 1 year to 1743, Xmas, for tilling the ground at Swinley for preservation of the game, &c. To be paid by the Surveyor of Woods.
A same from Mr. Jackson, deputy Ranger of Richmond Park, for repairs there, read and referred to same Surveyor.
A report from same Surveyor read on the memorial from Viscount Cornbury for repairs, &c., at Wychwood Forest, amounting to 712l. 17s. 0d. Warrant ordered.
A memorial read from George Jennings for 27l. for fodder for the deer in Greenwich Park. Referred to the Surveyor of Woods.
Enquire into the appointment of the housekeeper and steward of Greenwich to know if they were in two persons or in one.
A memorial read from Mr. Mordaunt, Ranger of Alice Holt forest, for repairs there. Referred to the Surveyor of Woods.
A report from the Customs Commissioners read on the petition of Mr. Warren, agent for several merchants of Hull concerning seizures of Levant wines. Two of said Commissioners to attend the Treasury Thursday next.
“A warrant signed by His Majesty, and countersigned by the Secretary at War, is this day countersigned by the Lords of the Treasury for paying out of contingencies to Mr. Hayes, Lieutenant Governor of Landguard Fort, 6s. a day from the 25th Dec., 1742, till he shall be otherwise provided for.”
Order for the issue of 6,733l. 16s. 8d. to the judges for 1743, Trinity term.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 7–10; Letter Book XX. p. 131; Reference Book X. pp. 252, 253; Customs Book XV. pp. 418, 419.]
April 12.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
67. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Mr. Gybbon, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Fox.
Two of the Customs Commissioners attending are called in, and a clause was read, proposed by the Customs Board, for giving ease to the merchants in relation to the 8th clause in the Act of Navigation of 12 Car. II. during the present war. Directed to attend the Treasury on Tuesday next with the draft of a bill for that purpose, which is also to contain a retrospection with regard to the merchants who are at present under difficulties on that account.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. p. 11.]
April 17. 68. Articles of agreement made between the Treasury of the one part and Chauncey Townsend, of London, merchant, of the other for the provisioning of the detachment of forces which His Majesty thinks fit to direct to remain constantly in garrison in the island of Ruatan, reckoning the same at 456 men and officers and 50 men of the Ordnance.
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVII. pp. 227–8.]
April 17.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
69. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Gybbon, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Fox.
Mr. Villettes' bill on Mr. Lowther for 225l. 11s. 10d., produced to my Lords. Enquire of Mr. Stone if he has any account of it.
Order for a warrant for Mr. Bennet's lease of Tiptree Heath.
A memorial read from the late Paymaster General of the Forces for extraordinary services incurred abroad in 1742 and 1743, and at home in 1743. Order for the issue of 150,000l.
A petition read from William Glegg for a reversionary lease of some mines in co. Flint. Referred to the Surveyor General of Crown Lands.
Order for the issue of 35,200l. to the Navy Treasurer for services as in his memorial of the 12th inst.
The Customs Commissioners attend and present a draft of a bill mentioned in the minutes of the last Board, relating to the Act of Navigation, which is read: as is also a clause presented by them relating to the aliens duties.
Mr. Chitty's petition read (Sir John Evelyn and Mr. Hotham, Customs Commissioners, being present) praying to be recommended to Parliament for some recompence for accidental loss from enforced quarantine. Upon consideration of same said Commissioners are of opinion his case cannot be distinguished from those of others, and say it has been the constant practice to pay for no goods but what have been directed to be actually destroyed. Wherefore my Lords say what he desires cannot be granted.
“My Lords are of opinion that such smugglers in prison on prosecutions by the Crown as are willing to enlist themselves on board His Majesty's ships of war, or in the land service in the West Indies, have liberty so to do, and be thereupon discharged from prison, as far as relates to the Crown, upon proper application to the Treasury, and representation of their cases by the Commissioners of the Customs.”
Order for the issue of 1,000l. to Mr. Lowther, and 225l. to Mr. Compton.
A contract signed with Mr. Townshend for furnishing provisions for the forces at Ruatan.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 11, 10; Crown Lease Book VI. p. 393.]
April 19. 70. Petition to the Treasury from John Simpson on behalf of Thomas and John Simpson and Joseph Browning, contractors for furnishing slop cloths to the seamen of the Navy. Have long been contractors for this service at the lowest prices usually paid in times of peace. Since the war, the id of slops outstanding being greatly increased, an advance of 25,000l. was made to enable petitioners to go on with their contract. Since that time the value of slops outstanding either on ships abroad or in the Navy magazines at home is increased to 121,280l. 12s. 5d., no part whereof can be repaid till the ships are cleared. Cannot proceed further in their contract without a proportionate advance. Referred to the principal officers and Commissioners of the Navy.
[Reference Book X. p. 253.]
April 19.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
71. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Gybbon, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Fox.
A memorial read from John Simpson on behalf of himself et al. concerning slop cloths, ut supra. Referred to the Navy Commissioners to make a report and to attend with it.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces of 80,396l. for 2 months' subsist and pay of the forces in Great Britain to 1744, June 24, as by his memorial of the 29 ult.
Same for same of 49,226l. 16s. 8d. to the Paymaster of Marines for 4 months' subsist to the 4th inst., as by his memorial of this day.
Same for same of 10,000l. to the Treasurer of the Navy, as by his same of this day.
The Paymaster of the Marine's memorial read for an allowance from 1740, June 1, of 3l. a day to a deputy and of 10s. a day to an assistant appointed by him to pay the marines in the West Indies. Order for a warrant for same out of poundage.
Order for the issue of 800l. to the Cofferer of the Household to be advanced to the linen drapers, same to be towards the expense of their service of linen for this year, as by his memorial of the 18th inst.
A petition read from John Merril and Francis Killigrew for renewing with the Crown a lease of Pendennis Castle. Referred to the Surveyor General of Lands.
A report read from the Customs Commissioners on a petition of John Whitfield et al., creditors of John Cleret, concerning the overplus of the duties of goods sold out of the ship “Nicholas,” of Barfleur. Agreed to.
A memorial read from Mr. Woodford, contractor for victualling Placentia, for convoy for provisions sending thither.
A report read from the Surveyor General of Lands on a petition of Francis Dickens for a reversionary lease of a tenement called Pondhead and other premises in New Forest. Agreed to. [Entry struck through.]
Same from same read on a same of Johanna Clark, junr., for a reversionary lease of several messuages in Jermyn Street and Market Lane, St. James's. Agreed to.
Same from same read and abstracted on a same of Francis Paddy for a lease of lands and mines in the manors of Middleham and Richmond, co. York.
Mr. Lowther to pay Mrs. Clay 4l. for a year's looking after the clock in the [Treasury] Lords' room, due 1744, Lady Day.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 12–14.]
April 26. 72. J. Scrope to the Board of Ordnance, informing them that the Treasury has entered into a contract with Chauncey Townsend, of London, merchant, for supplying the garrison at Ruatan with the following provisions at the rate of 6d. per man per day, viz., for each person for every 7 days 7 lbs. of bread, 7 lbs. of beef or 4 lbs. of pork, 3 pints of pease, 6 oz. of butter or 1 lb. of cheese, 1 pint of flour or ½ lb. of rice: the contractor to be paid for the time being by the Treasurer or Paymaster of the Ordnance every 3 months the several deductions that shall be made for the provisions for the 50 men in the said garrison that belong to the establishment of the Ordnance.
[Letter Book XX. p. 133.]
April 26.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
73. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Mr. Gybbon, Earl of Middlesex.
The Customs Commissioners' report read on the petition from the coal fitters of Sunderland for stay of process on their bonds till Michaelmas term next. Agreed to, the Commissioners having no objection thereto, provided they take all necessary care to plead off and get their bonds discharged before that time.
Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer of 102,102l. 7s. 7d., for several courses, including 15,000l. for bills of exchange and imprests on the head of victualling: all in part of his memorial of this day for 135,141l. 15s. 11d.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:—
£ s. d.
To the Treasurer of the Chamber for the Duke of Kingston, as Master of the Stag hounds, Trent North, for three quarters due 1744, Lady Day 1,200 0 0
To the Master of the Horse to clear his account to 1742, Xmas 10,000 0 0
To [the same] for plates, &c. for the current year 3,000 0 0
Sir William Younge acquaints my Lords that the Earl of Stair desires payment of the money for 80 horses lost in their passage from Ireland to England.
Roger Evans to be surveyor of window lights in Cardiganshire, and 2 hundreds of Montgomery, loco Ralph Shurret.
A report read from the Postmaster General, same being made on a report from the Customs Commissioners on the petition of Capt. Clies and Capt. Lovell, captains of the Lisbon packet boats under prosecution for running goods.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 15–16.]
April 30. 74. The Commissioners of the Navy to John Scrope in reply to the letter of the 27th instant, concerning the item of 9,527l. 18s. 3d. for bills for freight of transports, all carrying interest due, 1743, November 30, as contained in the Treasurer of the Navy's memorial of the 26th instant for 135,141l. 15s. 11d.: as to which item the Treasury desired to know whether that sum as well as the other sums which have been generally inserted for transport service in the memorials from time to time laid before the Treasury have been deemed to be part of and satisfied out of the sums which have of late years been particularly voted for transport service, and whether such bills have been always attended with interest. In reply to the above beg to acquaint the Treasury that the said item of 9,527l. 18s. 3d., as well as other sums mentioned in the Treasurer of the Navy's memorials for transport service have been satisfied out of the sums particularly voted for that service, all which sums are attended with interest after six months from the time of the several bills being entered and numbered; further that the whole charge for transport service from the commencement of the war with Spain to Dec. 31 last has been voted by Parliament. 2 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXIII. No. 35.]