Warrants etc: March 1698, 1-15

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 13, 1697-1698. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1933.

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'Warrants etc: March 1698, 1-15', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 13, 1697-1698, (London, 1933) pp. 260-272. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol13/pp260-272 [accessed 27 March 2024]

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March 1698, 1-15

March 1. Treasury warrant dormant to the Customs Cashier to pay the annuity or yearly fee of 466l. 13s. 4d. to Robert Townson as Collector of the subsidies of Tonnage and Poundage in London port. Money Book XIV, p. 31.
William Lowndes to the Auditor of the Receipt to issue 107368l. 8s. 5d. to the Earl of Ranelagh on the unsatisfied order in his name as Paymaster of the Forces: to be issued out of loans to be made by said Earl upon credit of the Exchequer in General: and is to be applied to such services of the Forces as the Treasury Lords shall appoint. Disposition Book XIV, p. 185.
Same to Francis Dickens, Woodward of New Forest, to repair forthwith to New Forest, to take care of the marking of the tops of the Navy trees there and to assist in the sale thereof; and to attend the Treasury Lords in May next to answer the articles exhibited against you by the Surveyor General of Woods Trent South. Out Letters (General) XV, p. 418.
Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to employ Marmaduke Waine as landwaiter at Newcastle loco John Clough who has betaken himself to another employment.
John Woolley as deputy Customer and collector of Cardigan within Milford port loco John Morris deceased.
John Gould as riding officer for the inspection of the coast of Dorset and part of the coast of Devon at 60l. per an. loco Tho. Jenkinson who is preferred to be collector of Bridgwater port.
Thomas Jenkinson to be collector of Bridgwater port ut supra loco Henry Beaumont deceased.
Samuell Middleton (one of the tidesmen at Truro) as waiter and searcher at St. Ives under the port of Penzance loco George Hammond deceased.
Ezechiell Treacher as a tidesman at Truro loco the abovesaid Middleton. Out Letters (Customs) XIII, pp. 407, 408, 409.
March 1. Treasury warrant to the Clerk of the Pipe for a lease to Noath (Noah) Neale Esq. of a messuage or tenement divided into four tenements or cottages late in the tenure of — Boreham widow situated at Hoddesdon in Stanstead in the parish of Broxbourn Co. Herts and of the two half acres of arable land there in a place called Marsh Furlong abutting respectively on land called Valley Marsh and on Chadwell Mead: the lease to be for 40 years at the rent of 3s. 4d. per an.
Prefixing: Surveyor General's constat and ratal of the premises. They were purchased by John Goodale, citizen and skinner of London from John Hills of Hoddesdon yeoman and by Goodale were confirmed for 130l. to William Hawkins of St. Giles Cripplegate London grazier for ever. The premises are forfeited by the conviction and execution of Hawkins for counterfeiting. They are let at 10l. 6s. 0d. per. an.
Followed by undated entry of the Treasury Lords' signature of the docquet of this lease. Warrants not Relating to Money XVI, pp. 13–14, 17.
Same to the Treasurer's Remembrancer and to the Clerk of the Pipe and the Comptroller of the Pipe to satisfy by records of surplusages the surplusage of 12l. 14s. 3d. owing to John Clerkson Esq. as sheriff for Co. Notts for the year ending 1694 Sept. 29; by satisfying same out of the like debt [incorrectly styled surplusage] of Robert Milford [Mitford] Esq. on his account as sheriff for Co. Northumberland for the year ending [1697] Sept. 29.
Prefixing: extracts of said surplusage and debit respectively from the Great Roll of the Pipe certified by Peter Prowle, Deputy Clerk of the Pipe, Ibid, p. 15.
March 2. Same to Francis Dickens, Woodward of New Forest, to apply for one year's wages to the officers and keepers of said forest to "Lady day last 1696" (as in part of 750l. due for 2½ years at Michaelmas 1697) the 300l. in said Dickens' hands arising out of sale of casual wood in said forest. Money Book XIV, p. 30.
Same, dormant, to the Receipt to continue the payment of all moneys arising by the Tenths of the diocese of Norwich towards the satisfaction of such orders as shall be signed in the name of Samuell Edwin, present Usher of the Receipt, for his liberates; the Tenths of the said diocese having for divers years past been so applied. Ibid.
William Lowndes to the Auditor of the Receipt to issue 7532l. 9s. 8¼d. to the Earl of Orford on the unsatisfied order in his name as Navy Treasurer, viz. 1532l. 8s. 10¼d. out of the General loan [loans on the Exchequer in General] in money and 6000l. out of the like loans in Exchequer Bills: and is intended to be by him paid over to the Victualling Commissioners, the 1532l. 8s. 10¼d. to answer money furnished at Cadiz by Mr. Papillion and Capt. Eyles for the service of the Victualling and the 6000l. to pay the Necessary Money to the pursers of the King's ships going upon foreign voyages. Disposition Book XIV, p. 185.
March 2. William Lowndes to [the Navy Commissioners] to direct the payment of 1447l. 14s. 0¼d. to Capt. Norris, late Commander-in-Chief of the King's ships in Newfoundland, for provisions supplied by him for the service of the squadron there: viz. by making forth a bill on the Cashier of the Victualling for said sum and assigning same for payment out of the tallies and orders on Salt Duties remaining in the said Cashier's hands for the service of the Victualling "which [tallies and orders] he [Capt. Norris] is to receive at par." Ibid, p. 186.
Same to the Customs Commissioners enclosing papers relating to the two wool vessels at Shoreham and Rye ut supra p. 259. Make your report on the matter as soon as possible. Out Letters (General) XV, p. 418.
Same to same enclosing an order of the King in Council of Feb. 24 last upon an account presented by Mr. Baker of the transactions in Romney Marsh and parts adjoining relating to the owlers and owling trade. You are to enquire into, and report to the Treasury on, the part thereof relating to the proceedings of the officers employed in preventing the export of wool. Ibid.
Treasury reference to the Excise Commissioners of the petition of Fletcher Albert shewing that he is indebted 9l. to the King for the Duty on low wines and the officer neglecting to bring his duplicate or charge, an information has been brought against him and when he thereupon offered the single Duty it was refused and double Duty demanded: therefore praying relief "in this hard case." Reference Book VII, p. 257.
Same to Henry Baker of the petition of John Baber praying payment of 30l. 18s. 0d. which he disbursed in taking an account of the value of Sir John Freinds' share in a brewhouse; and for an allowance for his own and his servants' pains therein. Ibid.
Same to the Customs Commissioners of the petition of Reynold Brandt for restoration of his goods and to be admitted to make a new entry, he having through ignorance made a false entry of 450 pound weight of coney tail hair which was thereupon seized by one Greathead an officer and condemned unknown to petitioner. Ibid, p. 258.
Same to same of the petition of John Harrison praying to be restored to his former place in the Customs, having been dismissed for making an affidavit which he believes Capt. Baker, the Treasury Solicitor, is satisfied he made without any evil design. Ibid, p. 260.
March 3. William Lowndes to the Auditor of the Receipt to issue 600l. to me [Lowndes] on the unsatisfied order in my name for secret service: to be issued out of the 600l. that is or will be paid into the Exchequer by Sir Francis Leigh on account of a purchase of the estate of John Staford forfeited for high treason. Disposition Book XIV, p. 186.
March 3. Same to same to issue 22099l. 11s. 4d. to the Earl of Ranelagh on the unsatisfied order in his name as Paymaster of the Forces: to be issued out of the General loan [loans on the Exchequer in General] in Exchequer Bills: and to be applied as follows:
£ s. d.
for 2 weeks' subsistence for the Troops in England to the 19th inst. exclusive of those marching for Ireland and such as have been ordered to be disbanded 17571 11 10
for one weeks' subsistence to the 19 inst. for the Regiments of Erle and Northcott who are to be disbanded 315 11 2
for ditto for Jedborough's and Ross's Regiment[s] of Dragoons 489 17 8
for ditto for the Regiments of Jacob and Gidean 315 11 2
for 3 weeks' subsistence to a Company of Stewart's Regiment left in the Isle of Scilly 34 8 6
to pay a bill of exchange drawn by the said Stewart's Lieut. Colonel on account of the sea pay due to the Regiment 70
for an allowance of half pay from Jan. 1 last to the 19th inst. to Windsor's Regiment (767l. 13s. 0d.), Harvey's Regiment (767l. 13s. 0d.), Denbigh's Regiment of Dragoons (671l. 2s. 6d.) and Leigh's Regiment of Dragoons (671l. 2s. 6d.) 2877 11 0
to clear the Provost Marshall's 24 men lately arrived from Flanders and disbanded 425
£22099 11 4
Ibid.
Same to the Navy Commissioners to make out bills to the Navy Treasurer for paying to the officers of the Marine Regiments the 4032l. which (according to your letter of Feb. 28 last) remains to complete the 16972l. appointed by the Act of last Session to be paid to them: assigning same for payment out of such Malt [Lottery] tickets remaining in the said Treasurer's hands "as are comprised in the 114th payment." Ibid, p. 187.
Same to the Earl of Montagu [Master of the Great Wardrobe] to provide a present for the Government of Tunis in accordance with the King's pleasure intimated to the Treasury, viz. to the value of 400l. or 500l. in fine scarlet and crimson cloth, some brocades, two gold watches and other curiosities. Out Letters (General) XV, p. 419.
Same to the Customs Commissioners to report on the enclosed proposals [missing] of Mr. Henry Baker as referred to the Treasury by the Lords Justices of England "some time since"; being for suppressing and preventing the exportation of wool from Romney Marsh and parts adjacent. Ibid.
March 3. Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to employ Robert Wind as tidesurveyor in Plymouth port loco Thomas Lastly his father-in-law who is willing to resign to him.
Oliver Peirson as a land carriageman London port loco John Wombell deceased. Out Letters (Customs) XIII, p. 409.
Treasury reference to the Customs Commissioners of the petition of William Leach, Paymaster of the Incidents of the Customs, to have his name re-inserted in the establishment, it having been accidentally omitted since 1694 and only his office mentioned. Reference Book VII, p. 257.
Same to the Surveyor General of Crown Lands of the petition of Eliz. Thomas for a new lease of a mill in the parish of Ecclesskimining [Eglwys Cymmin] in Co. Carmarthen; it having been in the family over 200 years. Ibid, p. 258.
Treasury warrant to Peter Hume, Thomas Cremer and Thomas Jett to sell for the King the utensils, implements and other things remaining in the Melting House at the Exchequer of the value of about 84l. except the musquetoons, assay furnace, balance, 2 mills, scales and weights, chests and pump: and to pay the proceeds into the Exchequer. Hereafter only two men are to be continued for grinding afresh the sweep which remained in the said Melting House. Warrants not Relating to Money XVI, p. 15.
Indenture of contract between the Treasury Lords on the one part and the several and respective subscribers to these presents of the other part [but the said subscribers' names are not here entered] whereby these latter undertake to pay to the Trustees for Exchequer Bills the last outstanding fourth part of their subscriptions for the circulation of 1,200,000l. of Exchequer Bills as by the Act for the further Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage [8–9 Wm. III, c. 24] as additional to the 1,500,000l. of the like Bills under the Act for [the 3s. Aid 8–9 Wm. III, c. 6 as extended and further defined by the Act for] making good the Deficiency of several Funds [8–9 Wm. III, c. 20] (but to a joint total of not more than 2,000,000l. of such Bills standing out at any one time).
[The present indenture appears to be occasioned by the dismissal of Bartholomew Burton and John Knight from being members of the Trustees for Exchequer Bills and the consequent necessity of validating the still unpaid fourth part instalment due from the subscribers under the Contract of 1697 July 9 supra Tr. Cal. Vol. XII, p. 246.] Warrants not Relating to Money XVI, pp. 47–51.
March 4. Treasury warrant to the Receipt to take in the tallies for 125l. struck on the Tenths of the diocese of Sarum and St. Asaph in the name of Sir Algernon May for two quarters to Xmas last on his pension charged on First Fruits and Tenths (as was also the like pension granted to William Petit); the collectors having informed him that they cannot satisfy those tallies by reason of a deficiency in the said revenue which has happened by the recoining the old clipped money: and in lieu thereof to draw a money order for 187l. 10s. 0d. to the said May for three quarters to Xmas last on his said pension. (Money order dated Mar. 15 hereon). Money Book XIV, p. 31, Order Book IV, p. 441.
March 4. William Lowndes [to the Auditor of the Receipt] to issue 100l. to the Earl of Castlehaven out of any disposeable money in the Exchequer next after the sums already directed. Disposition Book XIV, p. 187.
Same to same to issue 2305l. 1s. 5d. to the Earl of Ranelagh on the unsatisfied order in his name as Paymaster of the Forces: to be issued out of money remaining in the Exchequer of the General loan [loans on the Exchequer in General]: and to be applied towards disbanding Col. Brudenell's Regiment of Foot.
Also 100l. to same on the like order: out of the rent of Hackney Coaches: to be applied as the Treasury Lords shall direct. Ibid.
Same to same to issue 20l. to James Kitson on the [money] order dated 1696 Aug. 15 ut supra Tr. Cal. XI, p. 212: to be issued out of any disposeable money in the Receipt. Ibid.
Same to Secretary Vernon transmitting two reports [missing] from the Customs Commissioners concerning the two vessels stopped at Shoreham by Capt. Trevor Capt. of his Majesty's ship Expirem[ent] ut supra p. 259 viz. the St. John with wool for France and the William and Mary with wool from Rye and bound for Topsham. Out Letters (General) XV, p. 419.
Same to Mr. Hall [First secondary of the King's Remembrancer's Office]. In lieu of the fee of 6s. 8d. per cent. to the master of your Office only 3l. is to be taken for the fees on taking the security of Richard Taylor as Paymaster of the Lottery Tickets. Ibid.
Same to the Earl of Ranelagh to report on the enclosed state [missing] of the account of the Earl of Galway, General of his Majesty's Forces in Piedmont, of the moneys received and paid for his Majesty's service there in 1693–6. Ibid, p. 420.
Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to employ Robert Wise (who has well behaved himself as an extraordinary tidesman at Bristol) as a tidesman in fee ibid loco Phillip Lingar deceased.
John Howell as boatman and tidesman at Pembroke Ferry in Milford port loco Thomas Griffith dismissed. Out Letters (Customs) XIII, p. 410.
Treasury reference to the Navy Commissioners of the petition of Ralph Lee, merchant shewing that Tho. Chamberlaine Esq., now Consul at Messina, did upon the account of French prisoners taken on board the Trident prize in the Straits by his Majesty's man of war under the command of Mr. Killigrew, pay a bill of exchange from Consul Gifford of Palermo, and by order of the Earl of Orford [Navy Treasurer] the same sum was [by petitioner] drawn on the Treasury Lords by bill dated Messina 1696 Oct. 15 new style at 20 days for 301l. 16s. 3d. and also a bill for 5l. 2s. 8d. dated 1697 Sept. 30 at Messina for charges disbursed in securing and sending home English seamen; which latter bill was drawn by order of the Duke of Shrewsbury: therefore praying payment of both bills. (With a marginal note of a later reference dated 1699 July 3 to the Commissioners for Sick and Wounded). Reference Book VII, p. 258.
March 4. Treasury warrant to the Clerk of the Pipe for a lease to Joshua Baber gent. of premises ut supra p. 256, being the capital messuage of the manor of Laverton Co. Somerset: for 31 years at 10l. 10s. 0d. and fine of 100l.
Followed by: undated entry of the Treasury Lords' signature of the docquet of this lease. Warrants not Relating to Money XVI, pp. 16, 17.
March 5.
[? erratum for April 5.]
Treasury warrant to the Receipt to cancel the [Teller's] bill for the purchase of the reversion of an annuity of 14l. per an. purchased about Sept. 29 last by Peter Floyer in reversion of the death of Jonathan Scott, which annuity said Floyer is uncapable of enjoying by reason that the said Scott was dead before the said purchase, wherefore Floyer has petitioned that he might name some other life in lieu thereof. The entries of the said [Teller's] bill are hereby to be vacated and a new bill is to be thrown down of the same date as the original bill and a tally is to be struck for the reversion of any other life unpurchased, which Floyer shall nominate, to the like value of 14l. per an. Money Book XIV, p. 39.
March 7. Same to the Customs Commissioners to pay 20l. to John Mockford for his charges whilst a prisoner in France ut supra p. 131, he being a Customs officer at Faversham and going off with Thomas Fowler to visit a vessel lying in [East] Bourne Road in May 1689 the said vessel proved a French privateer and took him and Fowler prisoners to Dieppe where they were put into a loathsome prison and kept 10 months and endured barbarous usage before they could procure exchanges, during which time it cost Mockford 35l.; for which he has not hitherto made any application though the misfortune befel him so long since. Money Book XIV, p. 32. Out Letters (Customs) XIII, p. 408.
March 8. Same [to the Auditors of Imprests] to allow 40l. in account for the charge of passing Edward Seymour's account for the year ending 1697 Sept. 29 as Clerk of the Hanaper.
Prefixing: Auditor B. Bridges' certificate dated Feb. 10 that said account is under examination and will be prepared for declaration with all convenient speed. Money Book XIV, p. 29.
Same, dormant, to the Customs Cashier to pay the salary of 45l. per an. to Robert Culliford gent. as Comptroller of Southampton port:
the salary of 52l. per an. to William Tallman Esq. as a King's waiter London port. Ibid, pp. 32, 51.
Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to compound with Edward Fleatham for his impost debt of 952l. according to a late Act of Parliament in that behalf at the rate of 2s. 6d. in the £: and thereupon to deliver up and cancel his bonds: he being by very great losses at sea reduced to such indigency that he is incapable to render more than 2s. 6d. in the £. Out Letters (Customs) XIII, p. 411.
Same to same to compound (by virtue of the late Act of Parliament) with Thomas Proudfoot at the rate of 6d. in the £ for his remaining debt of 43l. 2s. 9½d. he having traded as a merchant for 20 years till about July 1695 when he failed in his credit by reason of great losses by sea and land; being indebted to the Crown in 2371l. 6s. 5d. on [Customs] bonds and having had his estate seized to his utter ruin and his creditors having accepted 3s. in the £; but as he had reduced his debt to 43l. 2s. 9½d. before he absconded the Customs Commissioners do not think it reasonable that the Crown should refund any part of the moneys he has paid in reduction of his debt "to put him [?the Crown] in an equal condition with the rest of the creditors" but they have no objection to remitting the rest of the debt. Out Letters (Customs) XIII, p. 418.
March 8. Treasury reference to the Agents for Taxes of the petition of Thomas Browham [Brougham] proposing his sureties detailed on his appointment as Receiver General for Cos. Cumberland and Westmorland for the arrears of last year's Land Tax and Subsidies and for the Duties on Marriages &c. and on Houses. Reference Book VII, p. 258.
Treasury fiat for letters patent under the Exchequer seal to constitute John Blackbeard to the office of Keeper of the Court House at St. Mary's near the walls of the city of York and clerk of the Courts there. Warrants not Relating to Money XVI, p. 16.
Report to the King from the Treasury Lords on a memorial of the Admiralty Lords touching the granting of Mediterranean passes to ships built in the King's Plantations upon producing the usual certificates and entering into bond as is required. We have advised with the Customs Commissioners thereon, and are thereupon of opinion that such passes [may] be granted to the Plantation ships as well as to the English [ships]. Ibid.
[?March 8.] Entry of the Treasury Lords' signature of the docquet of an in custodiam lease under the Exchequer seal to Sir Bartholomew Showre of divers lands and tenements in Co. Norfolk being parcel of the estate of Augustine Palgrave bart. outlaw: at the rent of 36s. 8d. per an. and a fine of 73s. 4d. Ibid, p. 17.
March 8. Treasury signature of a duplicate of the Royal warrant of 1696 April 27 for a pension of 2s. a day to Judith Jaquau ut supra Tr. Cal. Vol. XI, p. 112. Out Letters (Ireland) VII, p. 111.
March 9. William Lowndes to the Auditor of the Receipt to issue 426l. 1s. 1d. to the Earl of Ranelagh on the unsatisfied order in his name as Paymaster of the Forces: to be issued out of the General Loan [loans on the Exchequer in General] in Exchequer Bills: to be applied as follows viz.
£ s. d.
for one week's subsistence to Col. Langston's Regiment to the 19th inst. 268 5 6
for the like to Col. Webb's Regiment 157 15 7
£426 1 1
Disposition Book XIV, p. 188.
March 10.
[? erratum for 16]
Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to permit the five ships Falcon, Rainbow, Green Tree, Crowned Mary and the Hedrig Maria now lying at Plymouth (being part of the Dane and Swede's Fleet lately seized by the squadron under Sir George Rooke as prize) to be brought from Plymouth to London to be appraised and sold there, where they will sell for much more money than at Plymouth. Out Letters (Customs) XIII, p. 415.
March 11. William Lowndes to the Auditor of the Receipt to issue 1199l. to the Earl of Ranelagh on the unsatisfied order in his name as Paymaster of the Forces: to be issued out of the loans on the Exchequer in General in money (576l.) and in Exchequer Bills (623l.): to be applied as follows: viz.
£
to complete the disbanding of 8 Regiments of Foot, a Company of Miners and a Company at Upnor Castle 576
for Col. Webb on account of subsistence due to him in Flanders to make him equal with other Colonels 500
for Major William Stuart on a contingent warrant 123
£1199
Disposition Book XIV, p. 188.
Same to the Earl of Ranelagh. The accounts of Capt. John Shales, as Commissary General of the Provisions for the encampments on Hounslow Heath in 1687 and 1688 are now before Auditor Done. Several of the vouchers relating to same are in your Office [of Paymaster of the Forces] for moneys paid by you for provisions. Please send same to Auditor Done. Out Letters (General) XV, p. 420.
Same to the Attorney and Solicitor General to report on the enclosed case [missing] of the Dean and Prebendaries of Christ Church Canterbury and of the other members and officers of that Cathedral touching the taxes on certain profits therein named. Ibid.
The Treasury Lords to the several Justices of the Peace for Co. Hereford. We are informed that the books of assessments upon houses and upon marriages &c. are not yet signed and settled by you according to the Act for same, whereby the collection of those Duties is altogether omitted in your county. We desire you to give all necessary warrants and assistance for the speedy collection of same. Ibid, p. 421.
March 12. Treasury warrant dormant to the Customs Cashier to pay the salary of 39l. per an. to Mathew Appleyard as one of the Customers of Hull port. Money Book XIV, p. 33.
Treasury warrant to Sir Robert Howard, Auditor of the Receipt and John, Visct. Fitzharding one of the four Tellers viz. for the said Fitzharding to receive from the Trustees for Exchequer Bills the principal moneys of several Exchequer Bills remaining in the said Fitzharding's Office amounting to 1348l. 3s. 4¼d. in Bills which have been for some time made specie (whereby the King is liable to the interest thereon from the day they were so made specie although not issued) and [also to receive] the interest thereon due "until the day the said Bills were last made specie and no further"; whereupon the said Trustees are to deliver the said Bills to the said Auditor of the Receipt to be cancelled and in lieu thereof the said Auditor is to make out new Bills and to deliver same to the Trustees, taking care that so much interest and no more be endorsed thereon as was paid by the said Trustees. (This warrant is entitled "for saving part of the interest on some specie Bills in Lord Fitzharding's Office"). Ibid, pp. 33–34.
March 12. Same to the Receipt for the renewal of two lost orders viz. (1) one dated 1696 Oct. 16 No. 364 for 10000l. payable to the Earl of Ranelagh. (2) one of the same date No. 360 for the like amount payable to same: both which orders were assigned to the Bank of England [on whose behalf] John Miller has sworn as to their being lost or mislaid. Order Book IV, p. 438.
William Lowndes [to the Auditor of the Receipt] to issue 90l. to Sergeant Persehouse; 62l. 13s. 5½d. thereof out of Malt [Lottery] tickets and 27l. 6s. 6½d. out of any disposeable money in the Exchequer. Disposition Book XIV, p. 188.
Same to same to issue 325l. 3s. 7d. to the Earl of Orford as Treasurer of the Navy on account of [seamen's] wages: and 38l. 5s. 0d. to the Earl of Ranelagh as Paymaster of the Forces on account of subsistence: on the unsatisfied orders in their names respectively: to be issued out of new money remaining in the Exchequer as the produce of clipped money re-coined: viz. to the Navy Treasurer 75l. 10s. 9d. of the money of loans on the Annuity Act; 36l. 3s. 4d. of loans on the fourth 4s. Aid; 130l. 5s. 0d. of loans on the Continued Impositions; 33l. 7s. 5d. of loans [on the Exchequer] in General; 49l. 17s. 1d. of imprest money repaid by the Navy Treasurer (total 325l. 3s. 7d.); and to the Earl of Ranelagh out of the moneys of the arrears of the Double Excise (32l. 0s. 2d.); of low wines continued (7s. 1d.); of the first Quarterly Poll 3d.; of the 12 penny Aid (5s. 2d.); and of imprest money repaid by said Earl (5l. 12s. 4d.): (total 38l. 5s. 0d.). Ibid, p. 189.
Same to same to issue 20,000l. to the Navy Treasurer on the like unsatisfied order: to be issued out of the loans on the Exchequer in General in Exchequer Bills: to be applied as follows: viz.
£
to the Victualling Commissioners for necessary money to pursers whose ships are bound out on necessary voyages 1000
[to ditto] for the [Victualling] Course 6000
[to ditto] for imprests 3000
[to the Navy Treasurer himself] for wages to seamen 10000
£20000
Ibid.
Same to the Excise Commissioners forthwith to hasten the payments of the 9d. per barrel for the Lottery Tickets so that as much of the money collected for that Duty as is possible may be brought into the Exchequer by Lady day next. Out Letters (General) XV, p. 420.
March 12. William Lowndes to Mr. Yard to insert an advertisement in the Gazette until the 25th inst. that all persons who have an estate for one life payable out of the first 9d. per barrel Excise or out of the 2/7 ths, of another 9d. a barrel Excise have liberty given them by Act of Parliament to the 25th inst. to change the said life into a term of 96 years to be reckoned from 1695–6 Jan. 25 at the rate of 56l. for every 100l.; and that all persons who have or have not any such estate for life have liberty after the said 25th March next until 1698 April 10 to purchase the residue of the said term of 96 years after the expiry of any such life; and that the purchasers may satisfy the purchase money by arrears incurred between 1696 May 17 and 1697 May 17 [see supra p. 154–5] on the Tonnage Annuities or by Lottery tickets which became due within the same time on the Salt Act." Out Letters (General) XV, p. 421.
Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to continue for one year longer the allowance of 100l. per an. to Richard Bretton, Customer of the port of Sandwich and its members, which was allowed him during the war for his personal attendance in the collection of the customs at Dover (he being empowered by his patent to act [there] by deputy), being what was allowed to a former collector of [Dover] in times of peace but which allowance (for want of more timely application) he has enjoyed only two years viz. from 1695 midsummer though the war has been of far longer continuance; and the said Commissioners being of opinion that although a peace is now concluded yet in regard of the present difficulties upon the [resumption of] trade with France his office is like to remain for some time yet under the same disadvantage [as in war time]; and further he having rendered himself very useful to the revenue by divers other good services and great reliance must still be had upon him for the conduct of the guard upon that coast as well by sea as land. Out Letters (Customs) XIII, pp. 412–3.
March 12.
[? erratum for April 12.]
Same to same to observe the following methods and rules in the offices of the Receiver General and the Comptroller of Customs as proposed in the Customs Commissioners' memorial for a greater security of the customs revenue on Nov. 30 last, which proposed that as the accounts of the receipts are kept distinct so those of the payments may be likewise and in such manner as that every branch may bear the charge of its own debentures without leaving it in the power of the Receiver General to depress the credit of any particular fund at discretion: and therefore that the said Receiver General do give to the Commissioners on the first Custom House day in the month a schedule of all bonds remaining in his hands on the several branches due and unpaid by which the merchants may be prevented from running into troublesome arrears:
and further proposing that seeing the yearly accounts of the Customs which are by ancient usage transmitted to the Exchequer by the patent officers [of the outports] do begin and end at Xmas, the account of the Cashier and also the General Account of the Customs [shall] have the same period, whereby the design of the many controls will be better answered by the coherence of the several books; and that therefore for the future the Receiver General make only a single certificate of his cash account at the end of every year:
and to the end that the Comptroller General of the Accounts of the Customs may have a more immediate check upon the Cashier as to moneys received by him from the outports than what comes to the Comptroller's knowledge by the Quarter Books of the respective collectors [of the outports] the Comptroller of each port shall from time to time in future keep account of all moneys and bills remitted to the Receiver General by the Collector [of each port] and send duplicates thereof to the Comptroller General of the Accounts, so that the said Comptroller General having knowledge of all remittances and of what bills are returned for non acceptance or non payment (which the Receiver General shall produce to be marked before returned) may signify it to the proper [individual outport] comptroller to be surcharged upon the collector [of said port] and the Receiver General charged with the remainder. Ibid, p. 419.
March 12. Treasury reference to the Customs Commissioners of the petition of John Magorman, owner of the pink John of London, shewing that with her lading of 200 hogsheads of tobacco she ran aground in Ireland and lost all her lading except 73 hogsheads which [for Duty] will be worth 500l. to the King and 200l. towards petitioner's loss if it may be disposed of in Ireland: therefore praying such liberty [of disposal] on paying the ½d. per pound weight Duty in England and the Irish Duty. Reference Book VII, p. 259.
March 14. William Lowndes to the late Contractors for the Hearthmoney, enclosing (a) infra. My Lords think the request reasonable and if you do not comply therewith they will direct process against you for your accounts.
Appending: unsigned, undated memorial. "that the [Hearthmoney Farmers or] Contractors do forthwith name an attorney in the Exchequer Court to receive a Declaration and to plead thereto to issue, which issue is to be whether John Hind deceased had power to pawn the several tallies now in the custody of — and the same is to be tried the next term; which said issue is, by consent of the Contractors, to be conclusive on them in case the same be found against them," Out Letters (General) XV, p. 421.
March 15. Same to the Navy Commissioners to make out bills to the Navy Treasurer for allowing in his accounts 400l. short received at the Exchequer on the 8000l. issued to him Nov. 22 last out of loans on credit of the Exchequer in General, there being in fact only 7600l. issued to him thereon by reason of a discount of 5 per cent. allowed at the Exchequer to the respective lenders of the same.
And similarly to allow him in account 682l. 10s. 0d. on the sum of 13650l. issued to him in Exchequer Bills which by the Treasury Lords' direction have been likewise discounted at 5 per cent. "But you are to take care that the same be placed on the proper heads in the Navy Accounts." Disposition Book XIV, p. 201.
Same to the Attorney and Solicitor General to report their opinion on the enclosed state [missing] of the case relating to the Lottery tickets payable out of the 9d. per barrel Excise. "The chief point at present is whether the weekly payments of Excise coming in after the 25th inst. can be applied to tickets grown due in the preceding year." Out Letters (General) XV, p. 422.
March 15. William Lowndes to the Excise Commissioners. Mr. Andrew Clayton, late a collector of Excise, has petitioned for free access to his own account books for making up his accounts. You are to grant him this and to stay process whilst this is doing and to certify to the Treasury Lords what is justly due to the King from him. Out Letters (General) XV, p. 422.