Treasury Calendar: January 1697

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 11, 1696-1697. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1933.

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'Treasury Calendar: January 1697', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 11, 1696-1697, (London, 1933) pp. 344-350. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol11/pp344-350 [accessed 19 April 2024]

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January 1697.

1696–7. Jan. 5,
Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Tho. Littleton.
Mr. [Charles] Fox presents a memorial for money to pay the Exchequer Bills lodged in his hands for those that have advanced money [in order] to have their Irish arrears paid, particularly for the 25,000l. by them advanced in money.
Mr. Jonathan Bucknall to be tidesurveyor in the place of Mr. Mason, deceased.
Mr. Eyles will immediately give bills payable at double usance to my Lord Ranelagh to send to Holland by this night's post for subsistence of the Forces in Flanders [to wit] for 30,000l. at the rate of 36sch. 8 pen. in current money for every pound sterling, and he is to have tallies on the Vote of Credit transferrable to the next Aids for the said 30,000l. and my Lords are to provide that these tallies be made money at 2 months' end.
1,000l. to be furnisht to my Lord Ranelagh for the Count de Frize on account of contingencies of the Army: out of loans on the [above] Vote. Treasury Minute Book IX, p. 54.
Jan. 8,
afternoon.
Present: ut supra.
The case between the Earl of Macclesfield and the borough of Macclesfield is to be heard this day week in the afternoon.
[Write] to the Patentees for [Coining] Farthings to send an answer on Tuesday to the proposal for coining farthings and half-pence in the country [Mints].
[Write] to Mr. Charles Pulteney to be here on Tuesday afternoon.
Sir Theodore Janson (Jansen) will remit 20,000l. for subsistence to Flanders on the same terms as Mr. Eyles remitted 30,000l. per the last post.
If a [Customs] place of 20l. a year at Hull be void, when a presentment comes for it my Lords will dispose it to the recommendation of Sir William St. Quintin and Sir William Strickland, viz., Thomas White to be tidesman there instead of Thomas Taylor, deceased.
My Lords will hear the business that concerns Mr. Squib on Tuesday next. Lord Fitzharding to have notice.
To have an account how much is charged upon account of the loans not exceeding 600,000l. [as by the Vote of Credit].
The salaries of the Agents [for Taxes] are to be paid out of seizures [next] after the sums already charged thereupon.
The Navy Victuallers come in. My Lords will provide what they can tomorrow when they know what loans are in the Exchequer. But my Lords do not think the allowance of 10 per cent. on their [the Victuallers] tallies levied on the Vote of Credit to be reasonable.
All the officers of the Mint to attend the Treasury on Monday night. Mr. Mason, Mr. Molyneux and Hopton Haynes to be here then. Ibid., p. 55.
Jan. 11,
afternoon.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Thomas Littleton.
The officers of the Mint, Mr. Neal, Mr. Hall, Mr. Molyneux and Mr. Mason come in with Mr. [Isaac] Newton.
[Write] to the Postmasters-General to attend the Treasury tomorrow night about the post to Warwick. Ibid., p. 56.
Jan. 12,
afternoon.
Present: ut supra.
Mr. Robert Squib called in with Arnold Squib. The former is charged with offering hammered money to Mr. Morgan for interest of loans. Lord Fitzharding (his Teller) comes in. Mr. Squib says it was the same money that was laid out to pay and he had none other. He denies that he offered it at 5s. 8d. per ounce: is very sorry to have offered hammered money to Mr. Morgan and will pay him forthwith in new money.
The [Principal] Officers of the Ordnance [are] called in. Their memorial is read. They demand 8,000l. for the Fleet [sea service of the Ordnance] and 1,500l. for 4 engineers for the West Indies and 4,000l. to induce Sir Jos. Herne to give further credit for the [Artillery] Train in Flanders and money for other necessary uses. My Lords direct they shall have 20,000l. [in] tallies on the Vote of Credit, half of it for land service, the other half for sea service.
Countess of Dorchester and Mr. Aaron Smith [? attend].
The Commissioners of Sick and Wounded [attend]. Their memorial [is] read. My Lords allow them to discount the Bank notes in their hands which they received from the Prize Office, to carry on the service [of the Sick and Wounded].
My Lords will hear Mr. Orchard, Customer of Exeter port this day fortnight upon the complaint of Mr. Arthur and Mr. [Daniel] Ivy. Summons to be sent him. Mr. Fortescue will give them notice to attend.
Mr. Pulteney (Poltney) says that in the execution of the Commission for derelict lands [in Co. Sussex, etc.] they proceeded fairly. There was evidence sufficient not only to find the king's title but to recover it at Common law, but they have more evidence and some of the jury knew it, as to the whole 2,100 acres of which 500 acres are enclosed and 1,600 are not possessed, nobody claiming them; which latter are now desired to be granted to my Lord Cornbury. Ibid., p. 57.
Jan. 13,
afternoon. Kensington.
Present: the King; Sir Ste. Fox, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
[Ordered that] 10,000l. of the new money coming in from loans on the Vote [of Credit] be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh to pay a bill to Monsieur Schulenberg drawn by Mr. Hill for subsistence of the Army in Flanders.
[Likewise to said Earl] 100,000l. in tallies on credit of the Vote, viz., 40,000l. thereof for subsistence of the Forces in Flanders; 40,000l. for subsistence of the Forces in England and 20,000l. for recruits and other Contingencies of the Army.
[Likewise to said Earl] 3,000l. out of the Bank Bills in the Exchequer of loans on the credit of the Vote: as in further part of Mr. Medina's bills for subsistence of the Forces in Flanders.
[Order for] Capt. Fisher: 100l. Treasury Minute Book IX, p. 58.
Jan. 15,
afternoon. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith.
The Navy Victuallers come in and their memorial is read. My Lords will do what they can to furnish money to their Office.
The Earl of Macclesfield and the inhabitants of Macclesfield are to be heard this day 3 weeks.
Mr. Eyles et al concerned in the Exchequer Bills deposited in Mr. Fox's hands (which were to have been delivered on January 1st) desire that they may be delivered by Mr. Fox. My Lords will lay the matter before the King on Wednesday.
[Order for] 1,000l. of the tallies on the Excise to be issued for secret service and the money to be raised thereupon by discount.
The [Principal] Officers of the Mint and Mr. Rotier to attend [my Lords] tomorrow night at 6 o'clock.
[Write] to Mr. Hosier to attend tomorrow night. Ibid., p. 59.
Jan. 18,
afternoon.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Thomas Littleton.
Hen. Baker [to attend] tomorrow to give my Lords an account of his proceeding in the inquisition on Sir J. Freind's estate. Ibid., p. 60.
Jan. 19,
afternoon.
Present: all my Lords.
The Earl of Scarborough proposes to lend 2,000l. in money on the Vote [of Credit] if he may be paid one year's pay due to him as Lieutenant-General. My Lords will speak to the King.
Mr. Fox informs my Lords that the [parties] interested in the Exchequer Bills in his [Fox's] hands will not be content without the Bills. My Lords will take the King's pleasure in this.
[Write] to Mr. Ni. Baker to deliver to Mr. Hen. Baker an account of the proceedings against all persons outlawed for treason and [to hand over] the papers in his custody concerning same.
Col. Harris to have 40l. out of secret service money, upon account of his pretension relating to Guernsey. Ibid., p. 61.
Jan. 20,
afternoon, Kensington.
Present: the King; all my Lords.
The proposal for Victualling and the report of the Victualling Commissioners dated this day are read. The King will have the proposal explained and then the Admiralty Commissioners are to meet my Lords and consider of it.
[Order for] tallies to be struck for the Earl of Ranelagh on the Vote [of Credit] for the complement to 300,000l. for [the Forces and for the Ordnance] land service, reckoning what has been paid to him and to the Treasurer of the Ordnance for land service already. Ibid., p. 62.
Jan. 22,
afternoon, Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.
Present: all my Lords.
My Lords recommend it to the Victuallers, (who are present) that they raise money enough, by depositing tallies in their hands, to set out the West India Fleet; and that no pretence be made by want of money to delay the present sailing of those ships: but not to allow anything by way of a discount.
Mr. Newsham's cause is to be heard tomorrow evening; and the doors to be shut at 6 o'clock.
Sir Henry Furnese and Sir Theodore Janson [? are called in].
The Colonels [of the Irish Forces] and [their] Agents [are to attend] about the Irish [Forces'] arrears and Exchequer Bills. Ibid., p. 63.
Jan. 23,
afternoon.
Present: all my Lords.
[Order for] 7,150l. out of the new money brought into the Exchequer from the Mint, out of the hammered money lent on the Vote [of Credit], to be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh to complete the sum (about 13,500l.) which was advanced to him by Mr. Burton who had tallies for it, upon account of imprest money repaid.
Mr. Duncomb to attend on Monday afternoon.
The Agents for Taxes and Mr. Williamson and Mr. Whitbred to attend on Monday afternoon.
My Lord Montagu [Master of the Great Wardrobe] comes in and acquaints my Lords that the laces imported by [Sir] H. Furnese and lately seized are for the King's use, and shews the warrants of the Earl of Portland for providing them, "being a whole service."
Counsel are heard for and against Mr. Newsham, Receiver of Taxes for Warwickshire upon the complaint of Sir Richard Nudigate. The articles against him are read. To prove the second article there are read the affidavits of John Parker, the certificate of Edward Owen, mayor of Coventry. Marmaduke Duffkin says he was a collector in 1695 and he paid the fourth quarter to Mr. Grascomb when Mr. Newsham was in the room. He says he paid good money and he saw John Mitchener, the Receiver-[General's] man take out a very good half-crown and put another in stead of it. The counsel for the Receiver own that Grascomb was employed some little time.
To prove the 3rd Article Capt. Bagshaw says the Receiver-[General] with his brother, son and cousin have several times met privately and altered the assessments after [they had been] settled by the [Assessment] Commissioners and he instances in an assessment made 14 March, 1692–3, for [the parish of] Moreton Morrell (now produced). He being asked whether the Receiver was not indicted for this answers yes, but was acquitted.
To prove the 6th and 7th articles they read the affidavits of William Vinson, John Evetts and William Knight, Henry Mathews, Martin Bayly. Mr. Parker says he saw the money Mr. Newsham brought to the Exchequer. A great deal of it was good money but some was very bad, plated, counterfeited and much clipt. Duffkin says he saw Grascomb shew several pieces of bad money which he said were refused and cut at the Exchequer. Mr. Newsham says he employed Grascombe 11 days only in the end of January and beginning of February and it was on occasion of the Proclamation requiring only sterling money and he never saw or knew him before. He heard afterwards Grascome bought up clipt money and he endeavoured to apprehend him for it. Mr. Solicitor-[General] says they have proved by affidavits that the Receiver refused clipt money before the 4th of May, [1696]. Mr. Copson a collector for Weddington says in 1694 Mr. Newsham ordered his man to alter the collector's warrant at the second payment to make him pay 7 or 8 days before the Commissioners ordered it; he carried his money to Coleshill but the Receiver was not there to have it; and afterwards he sent his man who received it and gave acquittance but would have the poundage because he came to fetch the money; and afterwards he made another payment and had an acquittance and 10 days after the Receiver sent a warrant for him to come before the Commissioners for not paying the money: he owns he received his poundage at all other times. Mr. Blow says he sent the warrant by Mr. Newsham's order.
William Sadler, collector for Sherrestlock [Sheestoke] et al [iunde] says he went to Coleshill and would have paid part of his money and Mr. Newsham was angry and threw part of the money about and said he would make him pay altogether and so he did. And at another time Bentley men vexed him and he made them dance after him to another place. But he owns that day [on which] the Receiver did not come to Coleshill he [the Receiver] sent word he was sick.
Mr. Bird's affidavit is read to prove that the Receiver's man took 6d. for an affidavit, made pursuant to the last Act, of money received before the 18th of November. Thomas Smith says he never gave any money to the Receiver for his warrant.
Sir Richard Nudigate's affidavit is read, taking notice that the Commissioners have not received printed [copies of the] Acts as they ought.
Sergt. Wright insists that the Receiver is accused because he would not stand by and see Sir Richard Nudigate and Mr. Bagshaw defraud the King: that Sir Richard has abated his own tax 260l. in 3 years, and Mr. Bagshaw by turning out assessors reduced the tax upon the town where his estate is; when Mr. Newsham complained of this to the Treasury Lords. Then Mr. Newsham was indicted and acquitted with commendation as appears by the judge's certificate.
The first article was waived. The second concerning [his having] employed Grascome: he knew not of his being a disaffected person and if he had he was not trusted but for 10 or 11 days to distinguish sterling money. Collectors have been appointed to come at a day and would be dispatched presently before sunset though he sat up till after midnight to take their money: denies that ever he received [? refused to receive] clipt money before the 4th of May: that Nudigate and Bagshaw practised upon 2 men to swear what was impossible for them to know. As to the 6d. for an affidavit, if his servant draws it and that on stampt paper 6d. is not unreasonable.
Sir B. Shore says Sir R. N[udigate] sends his own warrant to take men into custody and then would make them witnesses against Newsham: that he [Newsham] has been Receiver 30 years without complaint. Here are 10 articles scheduled and 5 or 6 not attempted to be proved, which is an argument they are false: that none of the affidavits really charge the Receiver but only Mathews a late Justice who was turned out for stealing horse traces, etc.
The affidavit of Knight and Evitts is read proving the unfair dealing with them by Nudigate and Bagshaw. Sir R. Nudigate's warrant of 9 Nov., 1696, is read.
William Jeacock's affidavit is read. Joseph Simonds says his master, Mathews, sent him to Mr. Newsham to know if he would change 100l. for him gold for silver, and his master sent him a fat pig and ordered him to give him 10l. if he would take 55l. and give him guineas for it; and Mr. Newsham's man Mitchenor did this for him. This was in Xmas before Twelfth Day. He took the guineas at 30s. This was not for the tax. He says Mitchenor went to an house over the way and fetcht the guineas; and that Mr. Newsham told him there would be a Mint of Coventry.
Mitchenor says on the 30th Dec., 1695, his master and he were at Mr. Mathews who had sent a fat pig and that Newsham advised Mathews to keep the money for the Mint that he thought would be at Coventry. Afterward Symonds came to Mitchenor and told him that for 48l. in guineas he would give him 55l. in half-crowns and he did it for him out of his own guineas: that some of it came in for the tax money and the rest went to the Earl of Gainsborough. Mr. Mitchenor says he did this to his own use and that he never bought any money but this and told his master of this the same night.
Mr. Crowley says he would have gotten Mr. Newsham to take his clipt money but he refused it, though he would have given him whatsoever he would.
Mr. Burton says several sums about 1,000l. were left with him by several persons to pay to Mr. Newsham but when he came to town he made them fetch it away again.
Mr. Cole says one Randal lodged 300l. for [with] Newsham but he made him take it away again though he offered him 30l. or 40l. to let it pass.
William Newsham says one Web would have put off 300l. so but his [Newsham's] father refused it.
Mr. Grascomb says he was employed 11 or 12 days by the Receiver and bought up no money in that time.
A certificate of several noblemen and others in behalf of the Receiver is read.
Several officers and Mr. Hobby give an account of the Receiver's loyalty and good affection to the King and Government. Ibid., pp. 64–66.
Jan. 25,
afternoon.
Present: all my Lords.
[Write] to Mr. Hooker, Deputy-Receiver of the Duchy of Cornwall to be here tomorrow afternoon with Mr. Taylor the Deputy-Auditor [of said Duchy].
[Write] to Mr. Lowman and Mr. Hosier to attend tomorrow afternoon.
[Write] to the [Principal] Officers of the Mint to be here then.
The Agents for Taxes [and] Mr. Peters, Mr. Williamson and Mr. Whitebred come in. My Lords charge Mr. Peters to receive such money as the Acts of Parliament have directed and none other.
[A scheme of the] disposition of the loans on the Vote of [Credit for] 600,000l. [is ordered] to be prepared.
[Order for] 25,000l. (out of loans made or to be made by Mr. Fox) to be issued to him [Fox] and Lord Coningsby on their privy seal for the Forces which were in their pay [in Ireland]; the same being intended to be exchanged for Exchequer Bills formerly issued, which Bills they are to reserve in their hands for such uses of the War as my Lords shall appoint.
[Write] to my Lord Lucas that my Lords desire the workmen of the Mint may have liberty to come into the Tower to their work at 6 of the clock in the morning. Ibid., p. 67.
Jan. 27,
afternoon. Kensington.
Present: the King; all my Lords.
Out of the tallies (about 70,000l.) now striking [for the Forces], the Earl of Ranelagh is to apply 37,780l. for stoppages, etc., mentioned in his memorial.
Sir Joseph Herne and Mr. Attorney-General are to attend at the Treasury on Friday afternoon about tallies in Sir Joseph's hands. Ibid., p. 66.
Jan. 29,
morning. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith.
Sir Theodore Janssen and Mr. Seignoret agree to furnish bills for 30,000l. for subsistence of the Army in Flanders at 9 guilders 5 stivers; to wit one third payable at two usances, one third at 2½ and a half [sic for the remaining third] at three usances and to have tallies on the Vote [of Credit] for [their re-]payment.
Sir Theodore also agrees to furnish bills for 10,000l. more in like manner in 8 or 10 days' time. Treasury Minute Book IX, p. 67.
Jan. 29,
afternoon.
Present: all my Lords.
The petition of Daniel Ivie and Henry Arthur of Exeter, merchants, against Charles Orchard, customer [of that port], is read, both sides being present. My Lords will refer this matter to the Customs Commissioners to examine the accounts and particularly whether the petitioners paid the whole sum of 4,669l. mentioned in their petition and whether on the 2nd May last the money was due to the King which the petitioners then tendered and pretend to have paid. Mr. Arthur says that Mr. Score treated with him for 10l. for himself and 25l. for Mr. Orchard for the profit he would have made by returns in case he would take in 2,000l. not then due besides all that is paid. He complains also of Mr. Orchard's refusing to give him a certificate of 110 hogsheads of tobacco re-landed at Plymouth.
Mr. Orchard to have a copy of the petition.
Mr. George Parker offers 3,000l. for the forfeited estate of Wyke Parker and to try the title with all other pretenders. My Lords desire him to make such an offer as they can reasonably lay before the King or else to agree that the matter be settled by law. He offers 1,000l. more or 4,000l. in all.
The Victuallers to have 50,000l. out of loans to be made by the Treasurer of the Navy on the pound rate of 3s. in the £.
[Order for] 100,000l. more, out of the like loans, to be issued [to the Treasurer of the Navy] for the Course of the Navy.
[Order for] 2,741l. 9s. 8d. now in the Exchequer per [in the form of] Bank Bills on the Vote of Credit to be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh; out of which he is to pay 300l. to Paul Bauwenz for service by him done at Ostend in sending expresses and otherwise; and the rest [is to go] towards paying Mr. Hill's bills for subsistence [of the Forces] in Flanders, to prevent their being protested.
Mr. Dawny, servant to Mr. Isaacson the warehousekeeper, and Mr. Ford attend with the lace claimed by Sir H. Furnes for the King. My Lords direct them not to deliver them till further order; and a letter [to be sent] to the Customs Commissioners not to execute my Lord's warrant for delivering this lace till further order.
Mr. Peters and Mr. Squib to attend on Monday night.
Mr. Hooker and Mr. Taylor to attend then. Ibid., p. 68.
Jan. 30,
morning.
Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
[Write] to the Postmasters forthwith to dismiss Paul Hart, Postmaster at Margate for being assisting in the running a parcel of lace. Ibid., p. 69.