Treasury Books and Papers: July 1742

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

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Treasury Books and Papers: July 1742', in Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 5, 1742-1745, (London, 1903) pp. 51-62. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books-papers/vol5/pp51-62 [accessed 19 March 2024]

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

July 1742

July 1.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
119. Present: Earl of Wilmington, Mr. Chancellor of Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
The Paymaster General of Forces attends with a letter from Major General Howard, at Ghent, setting forth that the troops in Flanders are discontented with being paid in Flanders currency, and that in the last war they were paid in Dutch currency.
“The Secretary at War called in, and desired to take back the Danish establishment. And their Lordships will take a little time to consider whether they should be paid at 4s. 6d. per crown or 4s. 8d.
A letter read from Capt. Henry Osborn, master of the “Hanover,” the Lisbon packet boat, for hire of his ship, spite of its detention at Lisbon on account of a woman being killed by one of his men. Referred to the Postmaster General.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. p. 69; Letter Book XX. p. 51; Reference Book X. p. 213.]
July 2. 120. Henry Pelham to the Treasury, dated Pay Office, Horse Guards; for the issue of 150,000l., to answer His Majesty's warrant of the 1st July, payable to the minister of the Queen of Hungary, in further part of 500,000l. for the support of the House of Austria and restoring the balance of power in Europe.
Endorsed:—6 July, 1742, ordered. Letter, 7 July, 1742, out of 800,000l. annuities. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCVIII. No. 22.]
July 5. 121. Viscount Limerick to the Treasury, desiring (at the direction of the Committee appointed to enquire into the conduct of Robert Earl of Orford, during the last 10 years of his being First Commissioner of the Treasury and Chancellor and Under-Treasurer of the Exchequer) the issue of 2,650l., without account, to John Burman, clerk to said Committee, to defray the charge of clerks, officers, house rent, and other incidents attending the service of the Committee. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCVIII. No. 23.]
July 6.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
122. Present: Earl of Wilmington, Mr. Chancellor of Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
A letter from the Secret Committee read desiring 2,650l. without account to defray clerks, officers, house rent, and incidents. To be laid before the King for his directions thereupon.
Order for the issue of 150,000l. to the Paymaster of the Forces on his order for 500,000l., and as by his memorial of the 2nd instant.
Same for same of 10,000l. to the Navy Treasurer for services as in his same of the 5th instant.
A report of the Customs Commissioners of the 1st instant on John Harrison's petition, concerning canvas taken on board a prize, read and agreed to.
A paper read from Mr. Revell, contractor for victualling Gibraltar, of his reasons for not lowering at this juncture the present rate of 6d. a day for each man victualled there. Revell called in, and, being reminded of the low price of corn, says the corn now being consumed was purchased when corn was high. Revell to report three months hence what abatement he can make on the head of corn.
A report of the Auditors of Imprests read as to the rate the forces in Flanders were paid at during the last war. Mr. Scrope to wait on Mr. Pelham with said report.
The Customs Commissioners' report of the 30th ult. read on Joseph Chitty's petition concerning the duty on Lexia raisins. The prosecution to be carried on.
Col. Ingoldsby attended and is discoursed with concerning the distribution of rewards to his men for convicting a person for enlisting men into foreign service.
A report read from the Surveyor General of Crown Lands on an arrear due to the Crown upon a lease of the old highway at the back of Pall Mall, granted to the Earl of St. Albans by Charles II. Referred to the Attorney General.
Leave of absence to Henry Tolcher, land surveyor, Plymouth, and Thos. Gibbs, land waiter, London port.
Mr. Lowther to pay out of the King's money in his hands 10 guineas to George Dowdal for services performed by him, and 20 guineas to Mr. Davis to reinburse the like sum expended by him with respect to services performed in Parliamentary affairs this present session.
Col. Ingoldsby comes in again concerning the abovesaid reward.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 70–2; Customs Book XV. pp. 244, 247.]
July 8.
Whitehall
Treasury
Chambers.
123. Present: ut supra.
A Proposal read from Mr. Revell, contractor for victualling Gibraltar, for lowering from 1742, Oct. 11, his additional allowance of 25/7 farthings a man to 13/7 farthings a man during the present war. Agreed to.
Mr. Chitty heard as to the prosecution against him for duty on Lexia raisins.
A report from the Customs Commissioners read on George Caswall's petition as inspector of the outport collectors' accounts for an extraordinary allowance for bringing up the accounts in his office, not brought up by his predecessor. Report agreed to.
Order for 4,000l. to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey, as by their memorial for same.
A memorial read from Nicholas Harding for 5,000l. and 1,000l. for enabling him to print the Journals of the House of Commons, and as a recompense to him for loss of fees. Their Lordships will consider it.
A petition of William Jelly and John Jelly, his son, read and referred to the Customs Commissioners.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:—
£ s. d.
To the Privy Purse 3,000 0 0
To the Treasurer of the Chamber 6,093 4 11
To Mr. Steuart 8,004 3 0
To the Paymaster of the Band of Pensioners 1,500 0 0
To Lady Bell Finch et al. 275 0 0
The Secretary at War attended with answers to the objections made upon the Danish establishment as to the manner of paying those troops.
John Creswick's petition read to succeed Mr. Manley as Secretary to the Customs. To be considered when the vacancy is reported.
A memorial read from Viscount Allen and Michael Ward concerning William Maynard's arrear as late collector of Cork, Ireland. Such of the Revenue Commissioners, Ireland, as are in town to attend next Tuesday.
A petition of James West read for moneys in the hands of the sheriff of Worcester. Warrant ordered.
Mr. Barnard's report on Lord George Beauclerk's memorial for repairs at Bagshot Rails read and agreed to.
Memorandum read relating to the lease of the Bishop's rents of Orkney, and the grant of 200l. per an. to Lord Aberdour. Said grant agreed to.
Order for a sign manual on Viscount Limerick's letter of the 5th instant for 2,650l. to pay clerks, &c., of the Secret Committee.
Mr. Compton, Envoy at Lisbon, to be paid up to the present time.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 73–5.]
July 9. 124. J. Scrope to the Barons of the Exchequer, Scotland, in reply to their letter of the 29th ult. concerning the salary of the King's Falconer. The Treasury Lords “highly approve the caution you use in not placing salaries granted by warrants not countersigned by them [on the establishment, Scotland, but] from the dates of such warrants only. But in the present case of the King's Falconer, their Lordships think the reasons you assign for placing the salary of that office upon the establishment from the death of the late Falconer very proper, and have approved the same.”
[North Britain Book XIII. p. 299.]
July 13.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
125. Present: Earl of Wilmington, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
Three of the Revenue Commissioners, Ireland, attended, concerning the arrears of Maynard, late collector of Cork. Warrant ordered for the payment of same by instalments.
Mr. Hardinge to be written to to acquaint their Lordships in what time and manner he proposes to print the Journals of the House of Commons; and likewise a proposal in what proportions he shall from time to time require the money.
The petition of Mr. Lowther, one of the 4 messengers of the Treasury, read to be allowed to resign to William Presgrave his office of Patent Searcher of the port of Cardiff, held in trust for him by William Dounton. My Lords have no objection thereto.
The certificate of this day from the Auditors of Imprests of the state of accounts depending in that office read. To be written to to lay before the Treasury a state of Mr. Paxton's accounts with their observations on such of them as have been delivered in to them, and what difficulties or obstructions they find in preparing a state of the same.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 76–7; Letter Book XX. p. 52.]
July 15.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
126. Present: ut supra.
Mr. Furnese is admitted joint secretary [of the Treasury] with Mr. Scrope, in the room of Mr. Legge.
Write to the Auditors of Imprests for a more particular account of the payment of the British troops in Flanders in the late war.
The Customs Commissioners to inform the Treasury how the accounts of Mr. Deacon, late collector of coal duties, stood at his death.
The petition of Richard Harriman, of Thirne, Norfolk, offering to compound for running goods, referred to the Customs Commissioners.
Write to the Postmasters for a state of Mr. Barbutt's accounts, and how far his misfortunes may affect the revenue.
A memorial read from the Postmasters General of the 31st instant for an increase of men, guns, and arms to the packet boats from Harwich to Holland. “Agreed thereto according to the latter part of the report.”
A representation from same of same date read to have John Lumley, their first road surveyor, resident in London, his salary being paid by Mr. Allen, farmer of the bye and cross road letters. Agreed to.
The Secretary at War attends about the Danish [troops] affair, a state whereof is read. A copy of the latter part of the state to be transmitted to him.
The Earl of Arran's proposal read for the crown to purchase or rent the Prizage and Butlerage in Ireland. Referred to the Lord Lieutenant.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 78–9; Letter Book XX. p. 51; Reference Book X. p. 214.]
July 19. 127. Report to the Treasury from the Customs Commissioners, dated Custom House, London, on the petition of several masters and owners of ships of the port of Scarborough complaining of apprehended losses from the collusion of Mr. Deacon, late Receiver of the Coal Duty, with their crimps. Deacon died June 8 last, and there was then found a great number of bonds remaining uncancelled in his office of 13 years' standing and more, whereas by a certificate from the Comptroller General there appears to be no balance due in money at Xmas last, the general accounts of the Customs and coals having been passed through all the offices, and the quietuses thereon delivered to the year 1737. Find that great frauds have been committed by the collusion of Mr. Deacon and Mr. Savage, his comptroller, with the masters of the ships or their crimps in secreting these bonds and not charging Deacon with them in his accounts. Detail the steps taken to recover whatever possible for the Crown, and promise a further report after greater examination. As to the loss apprehended to the revenue from Mr. Manley, late secretary to said Customs Commissioners, “find that he has acted as private agent for the collectors of the outports, and by their own appointment to negotiate their bills for the imprests granted to defray the incident charges of their respective ports, which bills they drew on him payable to the Receiver General to the amount of 5,617l. 5s. 10¾d., and which he accepted, and the Receiver General gave him credit from time to time beyond the term allowed by law for protesting of bills, whereby he became answerable for the same.” Manley was further employed as agent by the several officers in the country for the remittance of the King's share of such seizures as were there made and disposed of according to 12 Geo. I. in order to the payment thereof to Mr. Hinton, who was appointed by the Treasury to receive same and pay it into the Exchequer. Bills were drawn on Manley payable to Hinton to upwards of 2,000l., but at Manley's earnest request Hinton suffered Manley to defer payment of them till the time of protesting them was elapsed, by which he took the debt on himself.
Endorsed:—Read. 4 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCVIII. No. 28.]
July 20. 128. Treasury warrant to the Postmaster General to supply in the most frugal manner the Dutch packet boats with warlike stores, detailed, and 8 additional men for each of the 4 boats, they being represented to be in great danger from some Spanish privateers.
Prefixing:—Sir John Eyles's memorial for same.
Appending:—An account of the said additional expense.
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVII. p. 75.]
July 20.
Whitehall
Treasury
Chambers.
129. Present: Earl of Wilmington, Mr. Chancellor of Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
“Read to my Lords the contract with the Bank for circulating Exchequer bills for the year to end the 24th of July, 1743.”
The petition of the masters and owners of coal vessels of Scarborough, relating to their bonds, read and referred to the Customs Commissioners. A report from said Commissioners concerning said bonds read; and also concerning Mr. Manley's debt to the Crown at his death as late Secretary to the Customs.
A return read from Sir John Eyles relating to Mr. Barbutt. A petition from Thomas Smith, boatman at Sandwich, read. To be considered when there is a vacancy.
A memorial from Alexander Ridley, commander of a Custom House sloop at Dover, referred to the Customs Commissioners.
Mr. Sandys, a jerquer in the Customs, London port, desires leave of absence. Referred to those of the Revenue Commissioners of Ireland now in London.
The Customs Commissioners to state an account of Mr. Deacon's debt to the Crown as late Collector of the Coal Duty.
A petition read from — Maynard concerning his late brother's debt to the Crown. Held proper to be determined in the Exchequer Court, Ireland.
A report from the Customs Commissioners on a memorial of Captain Copithorne's read and agreed to.
A memorial read from the Dean and Chapter of Westminster for 4,000l. granted in the last session of Parliament. Warrant ordered.
A memorial read from John Peachy, of Gosport, for a lease of Isaac Jemmet's house, seized by the Crown. Referred to the Excise Commissioners.
A petition read from the Royal Africa Company for the 10,000l. granted last session. Warrant ordered.
A return read from the Auditors of Imprests concerning Paxton's accounts. Ordered that an account be made out of all moneys issued to Mr. Paxton, and to know from said Auditors how much he has endeavoured to discharge himself of by his accounts, one of which is now before Mr. Chancellor of Exchequer, and two more lie before said Auditors.
Ordered that the several steps taken in the Treasury relating to the distribution of prize money among captors and merchant sufferers be laid before my Lords; and that Mr. Stone be enquired of as to what steps relating to that affair were taken before the Lords Justices. A copy to be got of the declaration of June 18, 1741, relating to the distribution of prizes taken before the declaration of war.
A memorial from J. David Barbutt, Secretary to the Postmasters General, read and referred to said Postmasters.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 80–1; Reference Book X. p. 215.]
July 21. 130. John Couraud to John Scrope, dated Whitehall, in reply to his enquiry as to any orders given by the late Lords Justices relating to the distribution of prizes. Finds that a petition of the merchants and others, sufferers by the depredations of the Spaniards, praying orders for the distribution of the money arising by captures from the Spaniards before the declaration of war, was presented to the said Lords Justices 1741, June 16, and by them directed to be laid before them in Council. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCVIII. No. 32.]
July 22.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
131. Present: The Earl of Wilmington, Mr. Chancellor of Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
Mr. Sandys' Petition rejected.
The answer read from Mr. Sohlenthal, the Danish Minister, to a writing delivered to him from the Treasury by Sir Yonge relating to the levy money for the Danish troops. My Lords agree to the establishments as they now stand. Sir William Yonge to carry them to the King for his signature.
A memorial read from the Judges relating to the payment of their salaries. My Lords will give them the preference in the payment of their salaries as arrears are cleared off.
Mr. Harding called in and acquaints my Lords with several particulars of expenses necessary towards the printing the Journals of the House of Commons. Is desired to lay in. a memorial on that subject.
Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer of 8,000l. as by his memorial of the 20th instant.
Samuel Wright to succeed William Burstall, to be superseded, as riding officer between Spurn Head and Bridlington, Hull port.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List funds:—
£ s. d.
For Secret Service 3,000 0 0
To the Purveyors in part of 6,000l. for 1742, Michaelmas [sic] quarter 2,000 0 0
To Mr. Burman in part of 2,650l. 1,000 0 0
To several Sheriffs 809 2 0
To the Attorney and Solicitor General 382 6 8
An extract read of proceedings in the Treasury relating to the “St. Joseph” and “St. Jago” prizes. Mr. Greenly to state what has been done in Laurence Barrow's claim on the part of the cargo of the “St. Philip” [sic, erratum for the “St. Joseph”]. Mr. Scrope to talk with Mr. Keene and Mr. Stert about the claims before them made by the merchants.
A petition of Warren Belitha read concerning the loss of his ship in 1736. To be laid by to be considered.
A report from Mr. Greenly of 1741, August 19, read on the petition of Isaac Dozell relating to the legitimacy of John Horton. Administration to be taken out according to said report.
Same from same of the 22nd instant read on Margaret Hurlston's petition, concerning Lewis Hurleston, an intestate bastard. Ordered as above.
A report from the Paymaster of the Forces and Secretary at War read on Mr. Burrough's petition for 3d. a day as commissary [in Flanders]. A warrant ordered.
A memorial of William Lowndes and the executors of Mark Frecker read for disbursements for law charges in the sale of the late Viscount Ranelagh's estate. Their expenses to be repaid; their reward to be considered.
A report from the Auditors of Imprests of this day read relating to the pay of the subject troops in Flanders in the last war. And thereupon their Lordships agree to a minute entered at great length), to the effect that having considered a memorial from the Paymaster of the Forces of the 1st instant, and the extract of a letter from Major Gen. Howard, dated from Ghent, June 23 last, representing the uneasiness that will be caused among the troops in Flanders by their being paid at the rate of 10 guilders 10 stivers per £ sterling, and learning, after sundry enquiries detailed, that the troops in the late war were paid at the rate of 10 g. 15 st. current money of Holland per £ sterling, they are of opinion that the payments that have been and shall he made to the subject troops in Flanders be at the said rate of 10 g. 15 st. in current money of Amsterdam per £ sterling till further signification to the contrary. To make good the loss to the public by the difference, the said Paymaster is to surcharge himself in his accounts with any profit which may arise when the £ sterling is more than 10 g. 15 st., and at the end of the year their Lordships will move His Majesty for the proper authority for allowing on said Paymaster's accounts (as was done in the like case in the late war) the loss which may accrue to the public by paying said troops at said rate and in said currency.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 82–5; Letter Book XX. p. 53; Customs Book XV. p. 237.]
July 22. 132. Ja. Vernon, a Clerk of the Privy Council, to the Secretary of the Treasury, dated Whitehall Council Office; concerning the desired account of the proceedings had before said Council with regard to the 2 Spanish prizes, the “St. Joseph” and “St. Jago.” On the 18th June, 1741, a petition of merchants, &c., interested in the Plantations, was laid before Council referring to the report that said prizes had produced 150,000l., and praying that in the distribution of said produce regard might be had to those who had suffered by the depredations and seizures of the Spaniards. Thereupon the Council ordered a declaration for dividing the said produce into 2 equal halves, viz.: for His Majesty's subjects who have suffered as above, and for the officers and seamen making said seizures.
Endorsed:—27 July, 1742, read. 2 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCVIII. No. 34.]
[Before
July 23.]
133. A paper of the proceedings at the Treasury relating to the “St. Joseph” and “St. Jago” prizes, from 1739, Oct. 31, to 1742, April 8.
Endorsed:—23 July, 1742, read. 4 pages.
Appending:
—(a) A copy of the London Gazette of June 16–20, 1741, containing the declaration of the Lords Justices in Council of 1741, June 18, concerning the method of distribution of the prizes taken by way of reprizal before the King's declaration of war. 4 printed pages.
[Ibid. No. 35.]
July 23. 134. Warrant under the royal sign manual, countersigned by the Lords of the Treasury, ordaining a letter of gift to pass the Privy Seal of Scotland of feu duties, detailed, to Robert, Duke of Roxburgh, viz., 84l. 17s. 82/12d. sterling for feu farms of the Lordship of Kelso, 5l., 11s. 14/12d. for blench farms of the tithes of said Lordship, 13s. 08/12d. for feu farms of Boouslie, &c., in the constabulary of Haddington; 1s. 8d. of the feu farm of the advocation of Dunbar, certain other feu and blench farms detailed; 2l. 2s. 78/12d. for the mains and miln of Ancrum, and certain other payments in kind payable to His Majesty's Chamberlain of Dunbar. [North Britain Book XIII. pp. 314–5.]
July 24. 135. Treasury warrant renewing the contract with the Bank of England for the circulating of Exchequer bills for the year ending 1743, July 24.
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVI. p. 102.]
July 26. 136. Warrant under the royal sign manual to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, countersigned by the Lords of the Treasury, to pay to Arthur Dobbs, Engineer and Surveyor General of Ireland, 2,800l. 18s.d., for the charge of pulling down that part of the building in Dublin Castle which is propped with timber, where the Linen office, Council office, and the Chief Secretary's apartments and offices are kept, and for rebuilding same; as also for the continuing the [said] building to the new passage into the said castle.
[Irish Book IX. p. 269.]
July 27.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
137. Present: Earl of Wilmington, Mr. Chancellor of Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
A paper read relating to the manner of contracting for bread for the army in the late war. Also a paper relating to forage. The Earl of Loudoun attends and acquaints my Lords that he has received several letters from abroad, desiring him to recommend the Treasury to contract with a person of credit and reputation; and that the Earl of Stair has in several letters recommended the Austrian contractor, and after him Gomez Serra. A proposal of said Gomez Serra and others read relating to the furnishing the forces in Flanders with bread; also the copy of an agreement made with Antonio Alvarez Machado for furnishing bread in 1704, and the copy of the like in 1711 with Sir Solomon de Medina.
A proposal read from John Gore offering to allow 10 g. 13 st. instead of his contract price of 10 g. 11½ st. for his bills on Amsterdam for the British troops in Flanders, judging the exchange is likely to keep up: and the like proposal from said John Gore and Co. and Joseph Gulston for bills on Amsterdam for the Danish and Hessian forces in British pay: they not doubting in both proposals that should the exchange decline the Treasury upon application will give them relief. Their Lordships agree to said proposals.
Lieut. Gen. Honywood and Major Gen. Legonier to attend to-morrow morning upon the subject of a contract for bread for the forces in Flanders.
My Lords appoint Mr. John Sharpe Solicitor of the Treasury, loco Mr. Paxton.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy of 136,997l. 12s., for services as in his memorial of this day.
Messrs. Burrell and Bristow's proposal for remittances of subsistence money to Minorca and Gibraltar, 1742, August 25 to Oct. 24 read and agreed to, as follows:—26,000 dollars for Minorca at 55d. per dollar, 26,000 dollars for Gibraltar at 54½d. per dollar.
A report read from the Postmasters General of the 23rd instant, relating to the failure of Mr. Barbutt.
Same from same read on the detention of Capt. Osborne's ship.
A petition of Lord Sidney Beauclerk relating to the tithes of Mote Park read and referred to the Surveyor General [of Crown Lands].
A petition from George Holmes, Deputy Keeper of Records in the Tower, read for 65l. 5s. 0d. for several disbursements. Warrant ordered.
A letter read from Mr. Vernon, Clerk of the Council in waiting, relating to what has passed at the Privy Council Board about the “St. Jago” and “St. Joseph” prizes.
A letter from George Bridges read alleging services to the revenue.
The 4,000l. for Westminster Abbey not to be subject to the deduction of 6d. per £ at the Exchequer.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 86–8.]
July 27. 138. Copy of the exchange proposals made to the Treasury by John Gore and Company and Joseph Gulston under their agreement to furnish bills on Amsterdam for the payment of the Danish and Hessian forces in the British service as follows, viz., 10 guilders 13 stivers per £ sterling, they “judging the exchange likely to keep up, and may probably be supported … not doubting in case the rate of exchange should decline that your Lordships upon application will give them reliefe.”
Together with a note of the rate of the pre-existing agreement from same to same, viz., 10 g. 11½ st. 1 page.
Appending
:—(a and b) The originals of two like proposals of date 1742, July 7. (a) From John Gore and Co. and Joseph Gulston (b) from John Gore. 1 and 1 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCVIII. No. 39.]
July 28.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
139. Present: Earl of Wilmington, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
A letter from Mr. Sloper read to Mr. Scrope concerning the rate the subject troops in Flanders were paid at in the last war.
General Honywood and General Legonier attend and acquaint my Lords that the bread in the last war was always rye; that 5 farthings was stopped from the pay of each soldier per diem. General Honywood is of opinion that two thirds wheat and one third rye would be proper. Read also the copy of an authority given by the Treasury to General Legonier to contract for bread for the Hessian and Danish troops. General Legonier acquaints my Lords that the bread contracted for last year by him was of rye, and that 11/8 pence stopped was sufficient to pay for the bread, carriage, &c. General Honywood is of opinion that five farthings a day is a proper stoppage from the soldier for bread, and he acquaints my Lords that Mr. Casamaijor furnished the bread last year extremely good.
My Lords order a letter to be sent to Gomez Serra to know the lowest price he will contract at for furnishing bread, and to make a proposal accordingly.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. p. 89; Letter Book XX. p. 55.]
July 28. 140. J. Scrope to John Sharpe, Esq., apprising him of his appointment by the Treasury as “solicitor of all such causes, matters and things on His Majesty's behalf as were lately entrusted to the care and management of Nicholas Paxton, Esq. And for that end my Lords direct you to attend as constantly as may be in the Court of Exchequer and other Courts where His Majesty's service may require your attendance and to take care of the particular causes in your charge and such other matters as may occasionally happen there. And that on the first day of every term you lay before their Lordships a state of the several causes, matters and things with which you shall be entrusted and what progress has been made therein from time to time and what the charges thereof respectively have amounted unto, with what else you shall think proper and necessary to represent to their Lordships from time to time for their full information.”
[Letter Book XX. p. 54.]
July 28. 141. Treasury warrant to the Postmasters General for John Lumley, the first road surveyor of the Post Office, to reside in London.
Prefixing:—Said Postmasters' report. Lumley has been employed in that service from 1720, and the several post stages have been regulated by his surveys, and the great confusion they were before in reformed by his industry and exactness. It would be useful to the service to have him at hand in London when complaints of misconduct of deputies come up or applications for altering any of the present stages, which frequently happens. There are 3 such officers employed, whose duty it is to ride from place to place as occasion requires, either for the general business or for Mr. Allen's farm of the bye and cross road letters. Their salaries, 300l. per an. each, are paid by said Allen in addition to his said farm. Mr. Allen will be benefited by Lumley's residence in London, and will continue to pay his salary even if he be put on the post office establishment.
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVII. p. 76.]
July 29.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers
142. Present: Earl of Wilmingham, Mr. Chancellor of Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
Read a proposal from Messrs. Gomez Serra, Wright and Capudoz; viz., to contract for wheaten bread at 5¼d. per 6 lb. weight and for 2/3 wheat and ⅓ rye at 6d. per 6 lb. weight. Mr. Gomez Serra attends and offers to furnish bread all rye for the troops in Flanders at 3½ stivers per 6 lb. weight. The copy of a contract made in 1711–2 with Sir Solomon de Medina for bread and bread-waggons, read. Mr. Gomez Serra called in again and my Lords acquaint him they cannot give more than three pence half penny English per 6 lbs. of rye bread. Mr. Gomez Serra and Mr. Hume to attend to-morrow.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List funds:—
£ s. d.
To the Treasurer of the Chamber for messengers 1,000 0 0
To the Great Wardrobe in part of 1741, Michaelmas quarter 5,000 0 0
Master of the Great Wardrobe, 1742, June 24 quarter's salary 500 0 0
To Mr. Compton in Portugal 1,915 0 0
A bill read from Mr. Brereton and Mr. Gildart recommending Thos. Woodfryes to be waiter and searcher at Liverpool. To be considered.
A memorial from the Board of Works relating to some additional works in the office now being fitted up for Lord Carteret read and agreed to.
A petition of Thos. Nicholls read. To be considered.
A memorial of Mr. Harding read relating to the printing the Journals of the House of Commons. Mr. Harding to inform my Lords whether he intends to print the several papers which their Lordships recollect to be referred to in the Journals and said to be bound up in particular parcels; and to let my Lords know at what price he can contract with a maker for paper of the best materials.
A letter read from Mr. Greenly, the King's Proctor, relating to Mr. Barrow's claim on the “St. Joseph.”
A memorial read from Thos. Neale and James Henshaw relating to the prize called “Our Lady of Guadaloupe.”
Mr. John Gore's memorial, detailed, offering bills of exchange on Genoa for 214,285 dollars, 14 sols, 3 deniers, at 56d. per dollar, read and agreed to.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 90–1; Letter Book XX. p. 55, 56.]
July 29. 143. Treasury warrant to the Auditor of the Receipt for the issue to George Holmes, Deputy Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London, of 65l. 5s. 0d., for incidents of the Record Office, from 1740, June 24, to 1742, June 24, being in satisfaction of his charges in making calendars, sorting and digesting the records, carrying up and placing in order 3,438 very large bundles of Chancery records, in the room at the top of the White Tower, and removing the presses and records in Wakefield Tower, in order to make room for the model of the silk engine at Derby, with other expenses requisite to fix said engine.
Appending:—Bill of said disbursements.
[Money Book XLI. pp. 78–9.]
July 30.
Whitehall.
Treasury
Chambers.
144. Present: Earl of Wilmington, Mr. Chancellor of Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces of 297,855l. 12s. 2d., for services as in his memorial of this day.
John Casa Maijor's memorial read, offering to furnish the forces in Flanders with bread, 2/3 wheat and ⅓ rye at 5½d. per 6 lb., all rye at 4d. per 6 lb. Mr. Hume offers all rye bread at 35/8d. per 6 lb., Brabant weight, Mr. Gomez Serra comes in and says he cannot supply all rye bread under 3¾d. per 6 lb. Mr. Casamaijor comes in and says he cannot supply same under 4d. per 6 lb. My Lords agree to accept Mr. Hume's proposal, and order a contract to be drawn accordingly. Mr. Hume may give directions to-night, unless he hears from my Lords to the contrary. Mr. Hume being asked what advance of money he expects, acquaints my Lords that he agrees to 5,000l.
Mr. Lowther to pay out of the King's money in his hands 50l. for one year due June 24 last to Mr. Schicke for Mr. Renard, for sending the Dutch news.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. p. 92.]
July 31. 145. Articles of agreement between the Treasury and Abraham Hume of the parish of St. James's, Westminster, for supplying all His Majesty's forces in Flanders in the pay of Great Britain with bread during the campaign for the year 1742.
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVII. pp. 79–83.]