Minute Book: December 1698 | British History Online

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 14, 1698-1699. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1934.

'Minute Book: December 1698', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 14, 1698-1699, (London, 1934) pp. 40-49. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol14/pp40-49 [accessed 12 April 2024]

December 1698



Dec. 1, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: ut supra.
	Mr. Vanburgh, Mr. Smith and Mr. Poyke [attend on the complaints against] the two latter [who] are Clerks of the Cheque [to the Messengers of the Chamber]. As to Sharp's bill "for &c.," Poyke owns the mistake; in a hurry; but he first discovered it himself and "stopped the bill for 28 days to Mr. Hill."
	Sharp says he told Poyke of this several times and he justified it and when Sharp detected him then Poyke acquiesced.
	As to Hill's bill for 96 miles Poyke says he did ride the 96 miles and Mr. Humes's man with him.
	Legat's oath is read.
	As to Hill's bill for keeping Dorken [in custody] to the 7th July who was discharged May 23 Poyke says Hill must answer for that. He believes in the hurry of the plot he might commit errors.
	As to Hill's bill for apprehending Yarborough when he's allowed at the same time for service in Flanders—300l.—Poyke says Mr. Coling bid him sign that bill; Mr. Smith's hand is to this bill for 300l. Poyke says he had signed the bill for [the costs of apprehending] Yarborough first and it was not in his heads [head].
	Mr. Vanburgh says Hill was in England the beginning of June and was dismissed in Flanders June 27. So that all the services in Flanders are fictitious. Mr. Blathwaite did not sign [any certificate of such services] and no certificate appears.
	Poyke says Coling had it.
	As to Hill's bills for 600l. (whereof the former [abovesaid] 300l. is part) there is the same charge and the same answer. Mr. Blathwait allowed [certified for] all the messengers in Flanders except the two Hills.
	As to the larger allowances to the two Hills than to others Poyke says they were passed unknown to Smith and him and that they passed them in Mr. Coling's room and by his order.
	As to the bill of 64l. to Knowles, Poyke says it was made in Knowles's name for Mr. Samuel Grice who was ordered by the King to be a messenger in extra, and that Mr. Grice will own it.
	As to 20l. exacted of Hayward, Poyke says he never took anything of a messenger but 10l. for going to Flanders.
	Hayward says he gave notes for 10l. a piece for two years going to Flanders to Poyke and Smith. If he did not give it Poyke told him he should not go and Hayward gave the last note to Smith.
	Poyke says Hayward would have had him pass a false bill for 132l. and because he honestly refused that, he comes with this complaint.
	Hayward says he owns he gave him that bill but he knew he used to allow as extravagant bills.
	Poyke says Mr. Frye did the service for which his [Hayward's] bill was made.
	Hayward thinks Col. Yarb[orough] was not taken.
	[Poyke thinks he was. Neither [of them for certain] knows.
	Simon Chapman verified [that] Poyke blamed him for charging too little.
	Poyke says he fixed it at 20s. a day 2 or 3 years ago to avoid error. He settled [the charge] for bringing a prisoner 40s. for every 100 miles and a noble a day for searching if they do not bring them.
	Poyke charges Chapman with drinking King James's health for which he was dismissed.
	Chapman says it was disproved and therefore he was restored by the Earl of Dorset. The Clerk [of the Cheque] allow the messengers 10s. a day for staying at Dublin though the journey is 30l. in gross, whereof the Lords Justices [Ireland] pay 15l.
	Cha. Couchman says Poyke exacted 5l. of him.
	Poyke says 'twas for going to Flanders. He reduced Couchman's bill from 100l. to 30l. and he would never be reconciled.
	Couchman does not remember this.
	Poyke says it was but 45s.
	William Knight verifies the matter [against Poyke as it appears under or] against his [Knight's] name.
	Poyke says Simpson had the money upon Knowles's bill.
	King says Tucker gave Poyke two guineas at the tavern and a guinea to Simpson and Tucker was suffered to go to the Bath.
	As to stopping Knight's riding charges Mr. Smith says it is for [a deduction of] 6d. per £ due to them [the clerks of the Cheque].
	It's said this poundage is new and a grievance and an inducement to pass any [excessive] bills.
	William Sutton says 40s. was demanded of him by the clerks of the Cheque for waiting for [in place of] another.
	Poyke says ten messengers were abroad when the Treaty [was on] and it came to Sutton's turn a month sooner in the year, which he will not understand.
	Sutton and Knight complain for want of their turns. Richard Morris's information is on oath [made] before Mr. Vernon, but he does not now appear.
	Hen. Legatt, whose information is on oath, is out of town.
	Poyke made out a bill for 106l. for keeping Sir Jno. Macgraph [in custody] whereas King who kept him demanded but 21l. 10s. 0d.
	Poyke says he and Marisco took him. Marisco delivered him to King and he says there is no such bill for 106l. unless it be by putting all the bills together.
	King says Mris. Simpson said she had no mo[ney] but broad for Poyke and she could hang Poyke, Nelson and her husband.
	For a journey to Oxford 7l. 9s. 0d. is inserted in a bill of Sims Chapman which Chapman knows nothing of.
	Mr. Vanburgh is to enquire of Mr. Ellis.
	Samuel Hill charges for service in Holland in 1677 about 75l., whereas he was not there.
	Sharp says he was in England till 25 June.
	Poyke says the messengers deceive him and then tax him with their frauds.
	King's affidavit is read, which Poyke says is false.
	Mr. Young says Mr. Blathwaite ordered at Carboise both the Hills' bills to come for England. They came to Brussels and sent to Mr. Blathwait [news that] Father Johnson was there. Order was given to search. Nothing was [found] in it and so they came for England.
	Poyke says he cut off 171l. in a bill for Mr. Young.
	Young says he brought him too [two bills] to see which he would sign. Treasury Minute Book Vol. XI, pp. 36–37.
Dec. 2, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: all the five Lords.
	[Order for the issue to the Cofferer of] 865l. 5s. 0d. for bringing over from Holland the [part of the] Household [which had attended the King there]: to be paid out of the Two Millions: and this and the sum of — last issued for [similarly] transporting [part of] the Household beyond sea are to be placed to the account of the Civil List.
	[Refer] to Auditor Bridges the account of the Hawkers and Pedlars [Commissioners].
	[Order for] 5,000l. to be issued to the Navy Treasurer: out of the eighth payment of the Two Millions.
	[Order for] a warrant for the Windsor poor [Knights].
	The paper about the rent of 4l. a year or thereabouts out of Under Oar and 10l. a year out of Sunning [Sonning] Park is to be referred to the Surveyor General [of Crown Lands] to examine and certify the nature of those rents.
	[Order for] a warrant for the 2,000l. for the 20 per cent. payable by his Majesty [on his subscription to the New East India Company] for carrying on the new East India trade.
	Memorandum: to speak to Mr. Abbot about the 1,600l. claimed by the Bank.
	[Order for the issue of] 3,500l. for Mr. Stratford's debt: to be paid out of the eighth payment of the Two Millions.
	[Write] to Auditor Bridges to be here on Wednesday morning about the accounts of the Sick and Wounded.
	The Maids of Honour, married, who have not had their [2,000l. wedding] portions [paid down, are] to be paid their [equivalent interest or] pensions till payment of the principal: warrants [are ordered] for this.
	[Order for the issue of] 400l. to Sir Fra. Child for jewels: to be paid out of the Two Millions.
	On Wednesday morning speak to the Victuallers to pay the Excise debt [out of or] with salt tallies.
	[Order for] 100l. to Tho. Dodson on an order of [the Privy] Council of 1698, Aug. 25. Prepare a warrant for it.
	The Duchess of Grafton: [order for] one quarter more to 1697 Xmas [on her pension]. Ibid., p. 38.
eodem die, afternoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pelham.
	Sir Robert Cotton and Mr. Frankland [the Postmasters General are] to be here on Wednesday morning.
	Mr. Thomas Crisp comes in with Mr. Bridges [appearing] for the Earl of Manchester (relating to the office of Collector Outwards London port). Mr. Adrian the deputy [in the said office] and Mr. Clark [also attend].
	Mr. Clark says the [Customs] Commissioners would not admit the two Crisps to be sworn at the Custom House till they had been with my Lords. Mr. Crisp says his brother, himself and his nephew were all admitted and sworn formerly: that himself acted formerly two or three years. They waited lately on the Lord Chief Baron with a deputation [for their deputy] and acknowledged it and were directed to attend in court and swear the deputy. Afterwards he, Mr. Crisp, was sent for to take the oaths in court, which he made no difficulty of, having frequently taken oaths. He thinks he was formerly admitted by the Treasury but does not remember so long ago. He says there was only one trustee for Sir Nicholas [Crisp].
	Several Commissioners of the Customs come in.
	Mr. Bridges says my Lord Manchester is entitled after a forfeiture &c.: that the Crisps are irregular in their admittance: they should give satisfaction: they are the John and Thomas in the patent: they are to prove their first admittance: then by a Statute 25 Car. II. they were to take oaths and a Test, else they are not qualified: desires to be heard for the Earl of Manchester before my Lords do anything.
	Tho. Crisp says they did take the oaths and Test when the Act 25 Car. II. came out.
	Write to the Lord Chief Baron desiring him to appoint some day convenient for him that my Lords may speak with him at the Treasury concerning the admission to the office of Collector Outwards in the port of London; and then notice is to be given to Mr. Thomas Crisp at the Sun, an upholsterer's in Fleet Street and to Mr. Bridges of Lincolns Inn. Treasury Minute Book Vol. XI, p. 39.
Dec. 7, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	The Lord Chief Baron comes in. Mr. Crisp and Counsel [on both sides] are called in. Sir B. Shore says they [his clients the Crisps] have been in possession 30 years and the security was given by all three and the warrants for the payments have been to all three.
	Mr. Northey says it does not import them to produce the minutes of their admission 30 years ago.
	Sir B. Shore says this was an office in the King's power to grant (not like such offices as are in the Treasury Lords' power) and they are in by the King's grant.
	My Lord Chief Baron says they give no admission in the Court of Exchequer: [they] only administered the oaths.
	My Lords are satisfied, seeing there was no admission then given and they having been in possession so long, it is presumed they were admitted when they first came in; and they do not now apply for any admission.
	Serjeant Wright for the Earl of Manchester says if they were admitted so long ago yet they have forfeited for not swearing.
	My Lords think that matter (if any thing in it) is not to be litigated here.
	Mr. Smith comes in.
	Mr. Papillion, junr., is directed to present my Lords a new calculation of the debt of the Victuallers contracted before 1 May, 1697, and to be very exact in it. He must signify "this" to the Victualling Commissioners.
	[Write] to Henry Baker to speak with Aaron Smith and desire him to instruct him how he may write to the tenants in Cumberland and know from them who they intrust to receive 200l. to be distributed amongst them: and that Mr. Smith do advise the proportions of such distribution. Ibid., p. 40.
eodem die, afternoon. Kensington.	Present: the King; all the five Treasury Lords.
	My Lords per Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer make relation to the King of the payments they have made in his absence beginning with the Two Millions and showing how much remains to be disposed.
	The Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwaite attend. The Earl gives the King an account that he [the Paymaster General] has money for subsistence [of the Forces] till Jan. 1 next and for other services, and has no demands at present.
	Make an account of the pensions paid by dormant warrants.
	The money due to the [Royal] Gardens is to be paid.
	Mr. Nicholas's Establishment [for the late Queen's servants &c.] and list of pensions [on the said Establishment are] to be laid before the King.
	16,000l. has been paid to the Privy Purse and 24,000l. will complete the year.
	[Order for] 1,000l. for Secret Service: out of the money in the Exchequer. Ibid., p. 41.
Dec. 9, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith.
	The Customs Commissioners to attend on Tuesday afternoon. Ibid., p. 42.
Dec. 12, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith.
	Lady Hamilton to have 50l. [as royal] bounty: a warrant [to be prepared for this].
	Mr. Collins offers to advance the Duty on low wines: if he makes any improvement my Lords will consider him: but his
	My Lords will meet here constantly on Tuesdays and Fridays afternoon.
	[Write] to the Customs Commissioners to attend next Friday afternoon, not to-morrow.
	[Order for] 400l. this day and 400l. every week from henceforth to be paid to [liquidate] the arrears of the [Royal] Gardens. Ibid., p. 43.
Dec. 14, afternoon. Kensington.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pelham.
	The King orders that a new Establishment for the Household shall be framed.
	The King orders that the 600l. a week to the 1st of January next be continued to the Privy Purse; and so much presently out of the money in the Exchequer as will complete the sum of 40,000l. for this year [to the said Purse].
	Mr. Nicholas to give a particular account of those [who appear] in his list of [the late Queen's and the King's] charities, who they are and what their circumstances; in writing against their respective names.
	As to the list of the [late] Queen's servants those that are otherwise employed or provided for are to be left out.
	When any works are to be done in the Parks or [in the King's palaces or] houses the King orders that my Lords shall be first acquainted therewith and they are to direct the estimates to be made and the King to be put to no charge thereupon without my Lords' approbation first had.
	The pensions in the list marked A which are granted for life or during pleasure are not to be paid any longer by dormant warrants but by particular warrants to be granted every quarter. This is not to extend to the perpetuities.
	The King approves the estimate presented by Sir Stephen Fox of diet with incidents and provisions [in the new Establishment of the Household]: to be regulated accordingly in the [said] new Establishment.
	[Order for] 1,000l. for Secret Service to-morrow.
	Mr. Hugh Speke to have 50l. [as royal] bounty and another 50l. two or three months hence. Ibid., p. 44.
Dec 16. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: ut supra.
	Mr. Crumpton shows another Malt [Lottery] ticket counterfeit and stopt. My Lords direct him to trace it and find out the offender.
	[Write] to Mr. Vanburgh and Mr. Sizer to be here on Tuesday afternoon next.
	Order for 500l. to be paid to Serjt. Ryly in part of his debt.
	Mr. Papillon, junr., is to be here on Tuesday afternoon. Treasury Minute Book, p. 45.
Dec. 20, afternoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: ut supra.
	[Write] to Mr. Sansom to come to W[illiam] [Lowndes] to-morrow morning at Westminster.
	Issue for Secret Service so much of the 25 per cent. Duty as will pay the Customs on the King's wine now at the Customs House: [to be paid] per Mr. Lowman.
	[Order for] 55l. 7s. 9¾d. "to discharge seizures delivered to Sir R. Gwin: to be paid as the other was for the rest of that seizure."
	The Commissioners going to Madagascar (except Israel Haies] are to be forthwith paid out of any money in the Exchequer.
	[Write] a letter to Israel Haies to be here on Friday next.
	The Speaker [of the House of Commons, Sir Thomas Littleton] comes in.
	The Excise Commissioners [attend].
	Their papers are read and answers [are margined or endorsed] upon them.
	My Lords recommend it to the [said] Commissioners to provide for Mr. Lawrence.
	The Victuallers, having tallies in their hands on the Salt Act for payment of the debt which they owe to the Hereditary and Temporary Excise, are to receive all the interest due on those tallies and charge the same in their account as part of their voluntary charge; and to deliver tallies for the principal [amount of the balance of the said debt] to the Excise Commissioners for account of the Hereditary and Temporary Excise: and tallies are to be levied on the said Hereditary and Temporary Excise for the works for so much [for the identical balance or sum so delivered in Salt tallies]. These tallies are to be satisfied by the said Salt tallies. And the Victuallers are to pay in ready money to the Excise Commissioners what is owing for the appropriated part of the revenue.
	The money arising by fines and otherwise for [leases of] lands at or near Windsor is to be received by Mr. Roberts [Receiver of the Honor of Windsor] to pay for the land taken into the Park.
	[Order for] 500l. to Mr. Yard for his service as Secretary to the Lords Justices [England] during the King's absence] this last year.
	[Order for] 4,000l. for Sick and Wounded on the eighth payment of the Two Millions; two fifths thereof [to be debited] to the head of Wages and three-fifths to the head of Victualling.
	[Write] to the Customs Commissioners and Mr. Baker to be here on Friday afternoon.
	[Order for] a warrant for last year's salary due to Michaelmas last to the Clerk of the Pipe.
	The 600l. which is to be paid per Sir Fra. Leigh for Mr. Stafford's estate is to be paid [as] for secret service. Ibid., p. 46.
Dec. 21, afternoon. Kensington.	Present: all the five Treasury Lords.
	The sum due to Sir Joseph Tredenham and Mr. Boscawen for the Garrison of St. Mawes is to be paid by the Earl of Ranelagh.
	The King comes in.
	The Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwait [attend]. The Earl's memorial [for money] is read. [Order for] 10,085l. 2s. 6½d. (to clear the subsistence [to the Forces] to Jan. 8 next) and 6,000l. (for the poor [army] pensioners) to be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh out of 69,500l. which was intended for clearings [and which was charged] on the sixth payment [of the Two Millions].
	The Duchess of Richmond's petition is read. Nothing can be done in it.
	The reports of the Lords Justices [Ireland] concerning the clothing of the four Regiments in Ireland are read. The King approves the proposal.
	The demand and papers of Mris Lascelles for her loss in [by] the guineas paid for her debt in Ireland is to be referred to the present Lords Justices [Ireland].
	The petition of Sir Stephen Fox for John Archer's estate in Ireland is referred to the Lords Justices [Ireland].
	The letter from the Lords Justices [Ireland] for 500l. a year to be inserted in the new Establishment for military contingents [is read. Order is made for] a warrant at present only to allow so much as hath been overpaid already [on the said Contingents fund].
	The petition of Dame Fra. O'Neal et al, and the report from the Revenue Commissioners [Ireland thereon] are read. The petition is granted according to the report.
	Capt. Lang's petition is read. The King orders my Lords to speak with the Prizes Commissioners about this.
	Mr. Wigg's memorial is read. A warrant is ordered for it to be paid in Ireland.
	Mr. Gastigny to have 500l. per an. for his life from Xmas last: [to be paid] out of the Exchequer.
	[Order for] 1,000l. for Secret Service. Ibid., p. 47.
Dec. 23, afternoon.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Speaker [of the House of Commons, Sir Thomas Littleton.]
	Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer of the Navy of 442l. 15s. 0d. due to the inhabitants of Maidstone for quarters of the Company of Capt. Lee and the late Lord Berkeley in the Second Marine Regiment: to be by them paid over to Sir Cloudesley Shovel or his agent to discharge those quarters.
	Tallies to be levied on the fifth payment of the Two Millions for 7,087l. 10s. 9d. and for 10,000l. for the Ordnance on the sixth payment [of the same]; and for 14,209l. on the tenth payment [of the same], to complete the appointment for the Mint.
	The Customs Commissioners [attend]. Their papers are read and particularly their proposition on Mr. Baker's survey.
	Col. Nicholson's pacquets are delivered to Mr. Sansom.
	The letter of Mr. Popple with my Lord Bellomont's papers are delivered to him [Sansom].
	[Order for] the Judges and Masters of Chancery to be paid for last term out of the Civil List money in the Exchequer; and the salary of Mr. Justice Eyres to Sept. 12 (the day of his death) is to be paid to his executrix.
	The Transports Commissioners are to have 3,000l. on the September [sic ? for the seventh] payment of the Two Millions.
	My Lords tell Mr. Bovet they are ready to hear and assist in any discovery he can make, but plainly they shall not advance any money beforehand. Treasury Minute Book Vol. XI, p. 48.
Dec. 27, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	[Order for] 18l. 11s. 7d. to be paid to Cha. Nevil in full of his bill of 93l. 11s. 7d. for goods furnished to the Stables of "the King's mother."
	A letter was read [for authority] to pay the warrants unexecuted, viz. out of money for the Civil List, to wit such warrants as are marked to be paid in a list now [produced to my Lords and] read.
	Write to the Navy Commissioners to be here this day week about the affair of Mr. Fitch and other affairs. Ibid., p. 49.
Dec. 28, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: all the five Lords.
	Edw. How to be watchman in place of — Hill deceased.
	Eliz. Smith widow to have 20l. [as royal] bounty and — Bourne to have 30l. as same.
	Mr. Yates, going Chaplain to Virginia, is to have 20l. on the bishop of London's letter.
	[Write] a letter to my Lord Bellomont that my Lords have received his several pacquets and are extrememly pleased with his proceedings and that my Lord will put the matters under examination and give all the assistance and encouragement that is in their power.
	Auditor Done informs my Lords that in Mr. Williamson's account of [his receipts on the Duties on] births and burials he's allowed a tally of 3,000l. dated 23 June 1696: the account was delivered in November last: on the 25th of that month he goes to the Lord Chief Baron and makes out 'twas lost and had an innovated tally and brought it to him, the auditor, and he finds 'tis the same sum which was allowed on the preceding account: he ought [in the ordinary course] to deliver to the auditor (who can examine on oath) his account and vouchers; which the auditor required and [it is essential] that he [the auditor] should not depend on the duplicates from the Remembrancer. The next day Williamson's servant would have wrested by force the tally from the auditor's servant.
	Mr. Williamson is sent for and comes in and is acquainted with this information. He says this tally has laid two years in Auditor Bridge's hands with the other tallies. He thought it proper to the account of 1696 but he since finds it allowed in the account of 1695. He says he spoke to the auditor to stop it and he [himself] had no design. He took his oath before the Lord Chief Baron about a month ago and he stopt the tally about three weeks ago.
	Mr. Done says he gave no notice till the auditor first told him of it.
	Mr. Moody, his [Done's] clerk says he first told Williamson of this tally. He seemed surprised and would look into it and Moody gave him directions in writing and after that he [Wlliamson] spoke to Auditor Done of it.
	Moody says Mr. Williamson brought the innovated tally to be allowed and was surprised when he was told of this. Mr. Williamson's servant would have wrested it from him and the next day Williamson himself was very pressing to have it. He [Williamson] attended the declaring his account for 1695 and afterwards made his oath for this innovated tally.
	Williamson says he forgot.
	Send to the Lord Chief Baron for the order and affidavit. Ibid., p. 50.
Dec. 29, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: all the five Lords.
	[No entry of any minute]. Ibid., p. 51.