Minute Book: June 1699

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

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'Minute Book: June 1699', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 14, 1698-1699, (London, 1934) pp. 91-102. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol14/pp91-102 [accessed 20 April 2024]

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June 1699

June 6,
forenoon.
Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Tankerville, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Mr. Boyle.
The new Commission of the Treasury is read.
[Write] to Mr. Maryot and Mr. Shales to attend to-morrow morning about money said to be in Maryot's hands which should be applied to stipends &c.
[Write] to Mr. Hewitt to be here to-morrow morning upon a complaint of Mr. Charles Bertie. My Lords desire him [Bertie] to be here then.
Mr. Corbet [attends. Order for] 65,251l. to be issued to the Navy Treasurer out of loans on the Land Tax: to be for half-a-year's wages to the Yards due at Midsummer and Michaelmas 1698.
[Write] to the Navy Commissioners and all the late Commissioners of Prizes in town and the late Commissioners of Sick and Wounded to be here on Thursday morning. Let the Commissioners of Sick and Wounded bring an account of all the money due [for the sick] in Quarters, and the Commissioners of Prizes an account of all the money now resting in the hands of them or of the Treasurer of Prizes and upon what heads.
Mr. Shallet [attends]: his report is read about three ships which were intended for Newfoundland "and disappointed." Let the matter be referred to the Commissioners of Transports upon a complaint of Mr. Shallet that the allowances are not sufficient.
Speak with the Navy Commissioners on Thursday about 700l. claimed by Mr. Shallet by assignment from Mr. Bowles out of his [Bowles's] pretension for admeasurement of ships.
Cha. Bertie Esq. [attends]. His charge against Mr. Hewet is read. Mr. Hewet says there is 22 years' fees due to him or Auditor Aldworth for the debit, debentur and quietus at 11s. per an. at Michaelmas 1698 amounting to 12l. 2s. 0d. Desire my Lord Chief Baron to inform my Lords whether these fees are due.
See whether the Treasurer of the Ordnance and the Treasurer of the Navy give security. Treasury Minute Book Vol. XI, p. 134.
June 7,
forenoon.
Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Tankerville, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Boyle.
Mr. Maryot and Mr. Shales [attend]. Mr. Shales exhibits a charge on Mr. Maryot of 146l. 3s. 0d. by him received of [Crown] rents Co. Lancs., Westmorland and Cumberland which should go to the payment of stipends to vicars, schoolmasters &c.
Mr. Maryot will pay immediately 50l. over to Mr. Hewet, the Receiver, for pensions in arrear, and forthwith render his account of the whole.
[Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer of] 420l. to be distributed (according to a list now read) amongst the officers of the two old Marine Regiments.
Letters [to the Exchequer] for 50l. to Mr. Edw. Howard and 300l. to Sir Robert Killigrew [are ordered] to be signed.
Sir Stephen Evance and others of the Hudsons Bay Company [attend]. They say the skins taken at Fort Nelson were given them by the King. My Lords take notice these goods were reserved to the Governor of Canada by the Capitulation in 1696 for delivering up that fort. So the King could not give them: and the Company that has them ought to pay for them. They say the skins are overvalued; but they will cause a Court of the Company to be called: that if the equity be against them the Company is so in debt it is not able to pay: that some persons would have reported those skins at 5s. 2d. a piece to the Commissioners for adjusting matters with the French Commissioners. They will call a Court and be here again.
[Order for] 500l. out of the Civil List money [in the Exchequer] to be paid to Lord Hastings on his order.
[Order for] 22,616l. 18s. 0d. to Foreign Ministers and Consuls to be satisfied on their warrants out of such money as is in or shall come into the Exchequer for the Civil List.
[Order for] 500l. this week and 300l. next week for the Stables: instead of 400l. each week.
The [Principal] Officers of the Ordnance [attend]. They desire that Mr. Mordant's patent may not be produced to them till the last week of this month. Memorandum: Mr. Mordant is to give a bond to the [Ordnance] Board as Mr. Bertie did.
William Bowen to be landcarriageman in the room of Mr. Oliva "if the said Oliva was a landcarriageman." Ibid., p. 135.
June 8,
forenoon.
Present: all the five Lords.
Mr. Pascal et al late Commissioners of Prizes [attend]. They withdraw.
The Navy Commissioners [attend] with Sir Tho. Littleton, Mr. Corbet and Mr. Dodington. It is thought that if Lord Orford go on to pay the money resting in his hands and that Sir Tho. [Littleton] be charged only with the money he receives at the Exchequer from the [date of the] passing of his patent [as Navy Treasurer] this method will avoid many difficulties.
The Commissioners of Prizes come in again. They promise that by midsummer next their whole account of the prizes shall be ready.
Dr. Newton and Dr. Waller [are] called in. They are advocates for the prizes. My Lords consent that the Prizes Commissioners may pay the salaries of the said Advocates for last Lady day quarter and that accruing at midsummer next but no further, unless my Lords see cause to give further order.
Mr. Anthony Rowe [is] called in. Let Mr. Rowe comply with his former agreement in passing at his own charge the grant of Hind's extended estate and assigning to Sir Edward Wood et al the moneys due on their tallies to be paid out of the first profits arising by that estate (after Mr. Rowe is reimbursed his charge in passing the grant). This patent is to pass in Mr. Rowe's name and he is forthwith to make the assignment: and if Mr. Rowe proceeds in the doing of this my Lords will stay the process till the first day of next Michaelmas term.
[Write to the Exchequer] a letter for payment of Serjeant Ryly's 50l. a week on his bills.
Mr. Dodington informs my Lords that the Earl of Orford is willing to comply with the method above mentioned, though it will create him more trouble.
[Write] to Col. Brudenel desiring him to be here to-morrow morning. Ibid., p. 136.
June 9,
forenoon.
Present: Charles Montagu, Earl of Tankerville, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith.
The gentlemen of the Hudsons Bay Company [attend]. Their papers concerning the goods taken at York Fort are read. My Lords will represent their case to the [Privy] Council.
Col. Brudenel and Mr. Dodington [attend]. My Lords order 1,500l. 4s. 10d., out of the loans on the Land tax, to be issued to the Navy Treasurer for paying the offreckonings of Brudenel's disbanded Regiment for the time he commanded it.
[Order for] 15,000l., out of same, to be issued for wages on the order in the name of the Earl of Orford as Navy Treasurer:
likewise 50,000l. more in the same manner:
[likewise to same for the] Victuallers 5,000l. out of same for bills of exchange.
likewise 2,000l. more to [same for] them for the same.
[Order to the Exchequer for] 1,409 guineas to be received at 22s. apiece from Morgan Whitley on his affidavit.
Extrait du Registre des Resolutions des Hauts et Puissants Seigneurs les Etats Généraux des Provinces Unies.
Sabbati le 28 Mars, 1699.
A été lû dans l' Assemblée le memoire du Receveur Général de Jonge Van Ellemeet contenant, en consequence de la Resolution de L[eurs] H[autes] P[uissances] du 24 de ce mois, ses reflexions et ses avis sur la lettre du Sieur Van den Brande Van Cleverskercke, Ambassadeur de L. H. P. à la Cour du Roy de la Grande Bretagne, écrite à Westminster le 20, par laquelle il souhaite de savoir à qui L. H. P. désirent qu'il remitte les effets importants de tailles qui sont entre ses mains et à qui leurs ordres doivent être donnés pour recevoir les deniers provenants des interêts et d'une partie du capital, comme il êst marqué plus amplement dans la dite lettre: sur quoy ayant délibéré il a été arrêté que l'on répondra au dit Sieur de Cleverskerke et que on l'autorisera, ainsi qu'on l' autorise par la presente, à délivrer lea susdits effêts et les tailles au Sieur de Geldermalsen, nommé pour étre Envoyé Extraordinaire de L. H. P. à la Cour du Roy d' Angletere, moyennant un reçu en forme; et au cas qu'il n'y pût arriver avant que le dit Sieur de Cleverskercke fut en êtat de partir ils seront remis a celui que le susdit Sieur de Geldermalsen nommera pour cet effêt. Sera rendu un extrait de cette Resolution au dit Sieur de Geldermalsen avec ordre et pouvoir de recevoir les dits effêts et tailles ou de les faire recevoir et d'en donner sa quittance &c.
Signé: W. V. Bentheim.
Attesté: F. Fagel.
Treasury Minute Book Vol. XI, p. 137.
June 10,
forenoon.
Present: all the five Lords.
[Write] to the Customs Commissioners to be here on Tuesday afternoon about the Act to prevent the exporting of wool from Ireland to foreign parts; and about the collector of Bristol [port].
Write to Mr. Cocks to be here then and the Attorney General to attend then about the wool business.
[Send a letter to the Exchequer for] 140 guineas to be received from Mr. Hall at 22s. [on his affidavit].
Look out Lady Kinmare's petition.
Write to the Farmers of the Lotteries to pay in all the money due from them.
Petitions are read and the answers are [endorsed or margined] upon them. Ibid., p. 138.
June 12,
forenoon.
Present: all the five Lords.
My Lords order that out of the loans on the Land Tax there be issued 517l. to the Earl of Ranelagh for clearing the Commission Officers of Col. Charles O'Hara's Regiment of Fuziliers in Jersey and Guernsey from 1699 March 25 to May 25.
[Ordered that] 398l. 16s. 9d. out of the Disbanding money in the said Earl's hands be paid over according to his report of Jan. 3 last to Arch. Hucheson (Huchinson) for money which he advanced here to officers of Holt's Regiment in the West Indies, now disbanded, upon account of their sub(sistence) and which is deducted from them by Mr. Taylder.
My Lords read all the papers concerning the Marquess of Antrim's quit rent: and upon consideration of the letters of the Lords Justices Ireland and Revenue Commissioners of Ireland, my Lords are of opinion that nothing ought to be done in England to stop the legal proceedings in Ireland but that the matter be determined by due course of law there.
Write to Mr. Rob[er]ts, Mr. South, Mr. Purcell and the agents of Lady Kinmare to be here on Friday morning about the letting of the estates of Lord Kinmare and Sir Valentine Browne.
[Order for] 200l. a week from May 13 last to be continued [to be paid] to the Gardens till the quarterly allowance for same be cleared up to 1697, Xmas.
[Order for] 50l. to be issued to the issued to the Paymaster of the Works to be paid over to Mr. Talman for Mr. Verrio's painting [work] at Windsor; and 10l. a week for the future upon account.
[Write] to Mr. London to bring in an account, for the last year, of the charge of every particular garden, as it is now kept. Ibid., p. 139.
June 12,
forenoon. [sic for? afternoon or for June 13 forenoon].
Present: Mr. Montague, Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer [Mr. Smith], Mr. Boyle.
Petitions are read: the minutes are [endorsed or margined] upon them. Ibid., p. 140.
June 13,
afternoon.
Present: all the five Lords.
Mr. South and Mr. Roberts [attend]. The former says the estates of Lord Kinmare and Sir Valentine Browne did not make 1,000l. a year: the Lords Justices [Ireland] directed the Revenue Commissioners to receive proposals and directed them not to set it by cant because then Irish Papists might get in. They [the Revenue Commissioners] acted purely by direction of the [said] Lords Justices.
The Customs Commissioners [attend]. My Lords inquire of them what care is taken for the execution of the clause in the last Act concerning wool &c. brought from Ireland to England. The Commissioners lay before my Lords the orders they have given in that behalf. Mr. Smith will inform the Revenue Commissioners, Ireland, how this matter is settled. Copies of the Customs Commissioners' papers on this subject are to be delivered to Mr. South. The Attorney General is to consider and give his opinion whether the licence must be obtained from England before the goods are put on board in Ireland. The report made by Mr. Hendley is to be sent to the Customs Commissioners who are to permit Mr. Cox and Mr. Colt to peruse the same and (if they please) to take copies and the said Commissioners are to consider it and attend my Lords on Friday afternoon with Mr. Colt and Mr. Cox.
Look out the precedents of constituting the Solicitor of the Revenue in Ireland.
Mr. Shales to have half the money due upon his order.
[Ordered that] 5,750l. now in the Exchequer for cancelling Exchequer Bills is to be issued to Mr. Hern for that purpose. Ibid., p. 141.
June 15,
forenoon.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Mr. Boyle.
A letter for [the issue to the Navy Treasurer of] 1,277l. 11s. 0d. for discount and brokerage of money [by him procured to be] advanced on salt tallies for the Navy is read and approved.
The like for 3,077l. 12s. 0d. for [the like discount and brokerage of] money advanced on East India tallies [to wit tallies of anticipation on the Two Millions].
[Order for] 500l. to Mr. Secretary Vernon for secret service: [to be issued] after payments already directed [out of Civil List moneys].
[Order for the issue to William Lowndes of] 1,500l. for secret service.
The Victuallers [attend]. They will make a proposition for applying the tallies and [Malt Lottery] tickets in their hands to the debt of the Victualling. My Lords approve thereof and direct the Victuallers to assign the tallies and tickets appropriated by the clause in the Act for the last Land Tax pursuant to the directions of the said Act.
[Order for] 1,000l., out of loans on the Land Tax, to be issued [to the Navy Treasurer] for the service of the Victualling in general.
The Lord Mayor by the [City] Swordbearer invites the [Treasury] Board to dine with him on Wednesday next.
The gentlemen of the Bank of England [attend: they represent that] 31,771l. 19s. 8d. is due to them for arrears of their fund; which which they desire may be paid out of the overplus of the Customs.
The Postmasters General and Mr. Neal [attend]. The report concerning the American Post [Office] is read. Mr. Neal is to make in writing his proposition for a compensation.
[Order for] a sign manual for the Lords Justices [Ireland] to make Thomas Lechmere Esq. Solicitor for the Revenue in Ireland.
[A direction is given for] 1,000l. on the order for the Duke of Richmond, to be satisfied out of Civil List money next after the payments already directed.
[Order for] a warrant for half-a-year's pension to the Duke of Cleveland: to be satisfied by continuing [the payments of] 150l. a week at the Post Office. Treasury Minute Book Vol. XI, p. 142.
June 16,
forenoon.
Present: all the five Lords.
Memorandum: to represent to the King at his return that the charge for a housekeeper and wardrobe keeper at Greenwich be not continued.
The Auditor [for Wales is to be directed] to make a state of the [Crown land] revenue of Wales and how the same stands charged.
Mr. Killigrew is to have 100l., out of which Mr. Tailor is to be paid 60l. due to him. "But my Lords will not repay any more money which shall be lent him [Killigrew] without their particular order."
[Order for] 100l. to be issued to H. Baker for John Haynes and Jno. Edwards pursuant to Secretary Vernon's letter of the 17th ult.
Mr. Mordant [attends]. Write to the [Earl of Romney], Master of the Ordnance that Mr. Mordant having passed his patent [as Treasurer and Paymaster of the Ordnance] and produced the same to my Lords, and the Officers of the Ordnance by their instructions being to take security, my Lords do approve of their taking the like security as was given by Mr. Charles Bertie the preceding Treasurer and desire his Lordship to signify the same to the Board [of Ordnance] accordingly.
Mr. Roberts and Mr. South [attend] with Mr. Pursell et al and Mr. Savage one of the trustees for the estates of [Lord] Kinmare and [Sir Valentine] Browne. Mr. Savage says the trustees were ignorant of the value; the Lords Justices [Ireland] sent for the Revenue Commissioners and informed themselves of the values and made the agreement with Hasset and Rogers and directed the trustees [in conjunction] with the Revenue Commissioners to make the lease; but the King or the Lords Justices are no party to the lease.
Mr. Pursell says Protestant tenants will readily take it at 3,000l. a year. This lease was made about six months ago.
Mr. South says there never was any estate set in this manner.
Write to the Lords Justices that my Lords are surprised at setting the estates in this manner, without public cant and for so long a term, when it's plain it might be set for a greater rent: and this being done contrary to the King's letter who is Cestuique Trust. My Lords desire them to take effectual care that the lease be set aside.
Mr. Cromellin's papers are read for setting up a linen manufacture in Ireland. Send the papers to Mr. Popple [with a request] that the Commissioners of Trade may be pleased to discourse with the proposers and consider what maunfacture may be proper to be set up in Ireland, with respect to the interest of England, and of the methods and manner the proposers shall offer for the effecting this and to [be pleased to] give my Lords their opinion.
Memorandum: to write to the Excise Commissioners to hasten the bringing in and paying into the Exchequer the Duties on Salt which are applicable to the annuity of the New East India Company; and to take care that no collectors or others do keep money in their hands contrary to the Act, which has made special provision in this case: because the delaying the payment of money arising by that Duty will tend very much to his Majesty's loss and damage in respect of a recoupment that is to be made by [sic ? to] the [said] Company.
[Order for] 2,000l. to Sir Theodore Janssen to satisfy the King's payments [instalments] of May and July 1699 upon his [Majesty's] subscription [to the Bank]. Ibid., pp. 143–4.
June 20,
forenoon.
Present: Mr. Montagu, Earl of Tankerville, Mr. Smith.
The Excise Commissioners [attend]. Their presentment is read concerning the officers who were prohibited to be employed, by the order of 28 Aug. 1695. My Lords give permission that the Commissioners may make trial of such of the said officers as they shall think fit [and efficient] notwithstanding the said order.
[Order for] 10,000l. to be issued on any unsatisfied order in the name of the Earl of Orford [as late Treasurer of the Navy]: to be issued out of loans on the 3s. Aid: and to be for wages to ships. Ibid., p. 145.
eodem die, afternoon. Present: Mr. Montagu, Mr. Boyle.
Mr. Smith not being well in health, Mr. Colt and Mr. Cocks are adjourned to Thursday week: whereof they take notice. The Customs Commissioners will be here then. Ibid., p. 146.
June 21,
forenoon.
Present: Mr. Montagu, Earl of Tankerville, Mr. Smith, Mr. Boyle.
A letter for [the issue of] 2,870l. 2s. 6d. for Mr. Dodington is read and approved.
The [Principal] Officers of the Mint and of the Ordnance [attend]. The paper of the former concerning the encroachments by the Ordnance on the Mint [buildings at the Tower] is read. The Officers of the Ordnance allege prescription for [their possession of] the [Mint] smith's house and that their [the Ordnance] smith hath this house in his patent.
Mr. Newton says the Ordnance has for some years employed the smith of the Mint, and the Mint hath a smith with a patent for all houses belonging to his office and that this house is within the lines of the Mint.
My Lords refer it to the officers of the Works to view the house and to inform themselves, if they can, to which office it lately belonged; and to consider how it is situated in point of conveniency to either office; and to see whether there can be found out another place to make a house for the smith of the Ordnance without endangering the safety or prejudicing the defence of the Tower.
Mr. Bertie [late Treasurer of the Ordnance] is called in. My Lords resolve that the cash remaining in his hands consisting of tallies, [Lottery] tickets and Exchequer Bills [together] with some [ready] money shall be applied by him for the services whereunto the same are appropriated and imprested upon debenture listed and directed to be paid by the Board of Ordnance "as if he continued Treasurer."
[Order for] 18,150l. 15s. 0d. to be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh for a month's subsistence to the Forces to July 16 next: to be issued out of loans on the Land Tax.
[Order for] 647l. 2s. 10d. to the Office of Works for Mr. Studholm: to be issued out of Civil List money [in the Exchequer] after the payments already directed [out of same].
[Order for] a sign manual for the King's signature to renew the Commission of the Revenue in Ireland with the name of Samuel Ogle as in place of Mr. Evelyn deceased.
Write to the Lords Justices [Ireland] to recommend [to them] Mr. Lechmore to be the King's Counsel in matters of the revenue there: (in the margin: respited).
Write to the Revenue Commissioners there that my Lords having heard that without acquainting my Lords they have put in one Mr. Brodrick to be counsel for the Revenue there, of whom my Lords have received a very bad character (as will appear by an extract of a letter from Sir William Beeston, Governor of Jam[aica] to Secretary Vernon) my Lords do direct them to make choice of another fit person for the said employment and to present him to my Lords for their approbation.
Write to the Customs Commissioners to hasten their examination of the accounts of Col. Codrington, referred to them. See the former reference.
Mr. Parkhurst and Mr. Pascall to be constituted [as officers] for recovering the arrears of Prizes and to receive, and account for, the same. Treasury Minute Book, Vol. XI, p. 147.
June 22,
forenoon.
Present: Mr. Montague, Earl of Tankerville, Mr. Smith, Mr. Boyle.
[Write] to Nicho Baker to hasten the proceeding against Williamson in order to bring the cause to trial.
My Lords do not take it that the King intended the office of Comptroller of Newcastle [port] should be disposed [of] before Mr. Williamson's trial.
Memorandum: to speak with the Attorney General, at his next attendance, about Williamson.
Desire Sir Samuell Barnardiston to be here on Tuesday morning.
The 200l. a week to Mr. Nicholas (which ends this week) is to be continued to pay off the 2,000l. to Mris May and 2,000l. to my Lady Berkley by 100l. a week to each. Notice of this is to be sent to the Exchequer [so] that their pensions of 200l. a year to each may cease from 1699, June 24.
Move the King to know his pleasure whether after this he will allow the 140l. a year (paid per Mr. Nicholas) for Mris. May's house rent.
[Order for] 557l. 11s. 2d. to Mr. Nicholas "for paying the [Exchequer and Treasury] officers' fees and allowances" [on issues to him out of the Exchequer &c.].
[Write] to the Excise Commissioners and Mr. Story to be here on Tuesday morning.
The like notice to the late Commissioners of Prizes.
The like notice to the late Commissioners of Sick and Wounded and to Mr. Povy. Ibid., p. 148.
June 23,
forenoon.
Present: Mr. Montagu, Mr. Smith, Mr. Boil.
The letter to the Earl of Romney concerning Mr. Mordant's security [as Treasurer and Paymaster of the Ordnance viz, for it] to be taken by the Board of Ordnance is read and approved.
Likewise the letter for Lord Fairfax for commissions to enquire of lands settled to superstitious uses.
Send [to the King for signature] the warrant for renewing the Commission of the Revenue in Ireland, with [the name of] Mr. Ogle in it.
Likewise the warrant for 74l. 4s. 0d. to Mr. Bere.
Petitions are read. The answers are [endorsed or margined] on them.
The Victuallers [attend: order for] 3,010l. 14s. 7d. out of the loans on the Land Tax to be issued [to the Navy Treasurer] for the Victuallers according to their memorial of this day. They present a copy of their declaration [scheme] for applying the tallies and [Lottery] tickets to their debt according to the Act.
[Order for] 69l. 9s. 0d. to be paid to Mr. John Cherry.
[Order for] 100l. to Mr. Lechmere. Ibid., p. 149.
June 27,
forenoon.
Present: Charles Montagu, Earl of Tankerville, Mr. Smith, Mr. Boyle.
The Excise Commissioners and Mr. Story attend. Mr. Story says the account for the year ended 1690 midsummer is ready and shall be delivered to the auditor this day; that the account [for the year] ended at 1691 midsummer shall be delivered to the auditor in 14 days and the three years' accounts ended 1694 midsummer shall be delivered to the auditor by next Michaelmas day peremptorily. The subsequent accounts are to be made up by Mr. Monteage.
The Commissioners say the Vinegar [Duty] accounts by Mr. Serjeant are and will be ready.
[Write] to Mr. Blathwaite that the King (when he had under consideration the disposing of the office of Comptroller of Newcastle [port] now enjoyed by Mr. Ralph Williamson) directed the [Treasury] Board to enquire in what time the cause on a King's Bench information against Williamson would be determined: that my Lords upon inquiry do find that the prosecution for the King hath been so managed that the Attorney General after three quarters of a year spent in that Court has discharged him in the King's Bench without bringing the cause to trial and hath ordered a new information in the Exchequer against him for the same matter: so that my Lords are in doubt when that cause will be ended and therefore desire to know the King's pleasure as to disposing of the office at Newcastle.
[Order for] 200l. to be issued to Serjeant Ryly, at his return, for executing the Commission [of Inquiry] in New Forest.
Sir Samuel Barnardiston [attends]. He is to prepare a petition, which my Lords will send to the King "or they'll lay it before the King at his return at his [Barnardiston's choice or] election."
The late Commissioners of Prizes [attend and] exhibit their final account. Send it to Auditor Aldworth and direct him forthwith to make a state of all the accounts of prizes during the war and to present the same to my Lords; and to use all possible diligence and expedition in preparing the accounts themselves for declaration.
The letter to the Attorney General for Mr. Addison, concerning the Jesuits' leases in the Savoy, is read and approved.
"My Lords are perfectly unacquainted with any extraordinary charge or trust [as existing] in the First [Lord] Commissioner of the Admiralty more than in the rest and that my Lords do not know if any distinction has been made in any [Admiralty] Commission of that kind (struck through) whatsoever."
[Write] to the Postmasters General to be here to-morrow about the American Posts [Office]. Treasury Minute Book, p. 150.
June 27,
afternoon.
Present: Mr. Montagu, Mr. Boyle.
Petitions are read and the answers are [endorsed or margined] upon them. Ibid., p. 151.
June 28,
forenoon.
Present: Mr. Montagu, Mr. Smith, Mr. Boyle.
[Write to the Exchequer] a letter for half-a-year to the Judges [on their salaries] and those paid with them.
The Postmasters General and Mr. Neal [attend]. My Lords' sentiments are that the American Post [Office] continue in Mr. Neale's hands for some time and that the Postmasters [General] give him all the assistance they can: and the Postmasters will prepare letters to the several [Colonial] Governors to assist his Agents [there]. And when my Lords have had some further experience of the value of this Post [Office] they will represent the same to the King in order to making a final agreement with Mr. Neal for the same.
And Mr. Neal declares that when he departs [parts] with this Office, Mr. Andr. Hamilton shall be satisfied what shall be then due to him for managing and improving the same.
Petitions are read and the answers are [endorsed or margined] upon them. Ibid., p. 152.
eodem die, afternoon. Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Boyle.
Petitions are read and the answers are [endorsed or margined] upon them. Ibid., p. 153.
June 29,
forenoon.
Present: Mr. Montagu, Mr. Smith, Mr. Boil.
[Order for the issue to William Lowndes of] 1,800l. for secret service.
The Customs Commissioners and Mr. Colt and Mr. Cocks [attend]. Mr. Hendly's report is read.
Mr. Cocks observes that on 17 June 1697 there was 500l. to balance of a private account which cannot go to the note of 1,700l.: that Ballard had been arrested this morning if he had not leapt out of a window, Mr. Colt having offered 20 guineas to take him: that Ballard will swear the book mentioned in the report (where the credits are said to be given) was never seen by him in his life time: that 399l. 3s. 3d. was not paid by Colt till September last, which was after the matter was questioned: that Colt wrote to Mr. Stephens in July 1698 "that if there were notes then the less had been to be asked of the King by Tayloe one of the securities."
Mr. Colt for this refers to his Answer, which says 1,000l. was first paid and 399l. odd pounds afterwards to the said Ballard.
Cock says that 'tis odd Mr. Colt should charge himself with 300l. and odd pounds for the glass house [or factory] and have nothing to do in it.
Mr. Colt denies he ever had any title in the glass house.
Several passages in his letters to Ballard are produced tending to prove that he had a part therein.
Colt owns he was to have a share but 'twas never assigned and Ballard was no trustee for him.
The private book is produced which is affirmed by Colt and owned by Cocks to be all of Ballard's handwriting. There is an entry of an account but it doth not clear the point because in that book it does not appear that any credit is given to Ballard of the sums in question.
Mr. Hendley produces a copy of the account upon which the inquisition was taken, in which credit is given to Ballard of 500l. on 17 June 1697 and 500l. more on the same day. This account was made up by Elbridge who had been clerk to Ballow [? Ballard] and Elbridge has sworn to the truth of it in the Exchequer.
My Lords will speak with Mr. Ballard himself.
Afterwards my Lords resolved that the whole matter be referred to the Customs Commissioners to review the report and receive Mr. Ballard's reply and thereupon to hear both parties, and examine the truth and afterwards bring back the whole matter to my Lords. Ibid., p. 154.
June 30,
forenoon.
Present: Mr. Montagu, Mr. Smith, Mr. Boyle.
[Order for] 200l. a week more from the 24th inst., to be paid to Mr. Hening for finishing the Gardens at Hampton Court. Prepare a warrant for the Lords Justices [England to sign] for any sum not exceeding 5,000l. upon account for that service.
My Lords appoint this day month to hear the business of Mr. Doyly concerning clipt money paid into Lord Fitzharding's Office [of a Teller of the Receipt]. Notice to be given to Lord Fitzharding and the Agents [for Taxes] to be here then.
Mr. Chetwynd [appears] for Mr. Grey and Mr. Humphreys.
Mr. Slone says the making up the Alienation accounts have anciently belonged to Grey and his predecessors as Auditors of Wales: that Humphreys has assumed this as belonging to Mr. Parson's auditorship and got an order by surprise from this [the Treasury] Board, which he [Slone] desires may be recalled.
Mr. Webb says they that have had the office of Mr. Grey have constantly had the making up these accounts and [have taken] the perquisite thereof: that Mr. Parsons disclaims any right to them, and the privy seal for the Alienation Office agrees with this ancient right: that Humphreys when he delivered over the records [of his office of auditor] to the [successor] auditor smuggled those concerning the Alienation Office that he might make up those accounts [which was] to the prejudice of Mr. Grey's right.
Mr. Scroop for Mr. Humphreys says this matter was tried and went for Humphreys; afterwards the plea was mended but the Court ordered costs to be paid first; then Chetwynd brought an English bill and the Court ordered by consent of Chetwynd that he should pay the costs and they should have time to answer; but Chetwynd has done nothing since. H[umphreys] does not claim under Parsons but under order of this Board and desires to support your Lordships' right.
Mr. Morgan says he came into the office of Auditor in Wales in 1669 and Mr. Tudor, the Auditor, made up the accounts [of the Alienation Office] and he [Morgan] took it to be in right of his office of Auditor of Wales: he never knew of any [Treasury] direction.
Mr. Humphreys says it was done by permission. Mr. Parsons, says he, never made up any of these accounts.
Mr. Whittacre says his first account was passed by Mr. Tudor and his subsequent accounts by Mr. Humphreys.
Mr. Humphreys shews an account made up in 1604 by one Sexy, auditor of Middlesex [Crown revenues] by special assignment from Lord Treasurer Dorset.
Mr. Chetwynd does not insist upon it as a right but as a favour.
My Lords leave this matter to the law and will not recall their order.
[Order for] a privy seal for Mr. Bertie to deliver over the sum of 113,086l. 17s. 7¼d. of the money, tallies and [Lottery] tickets in his hands to Mr. Mordant the succeeding Treasurer [and Paymaster of the Ordnance].
[Write] the Board of Ordnance to represent to my Lords what security they think suffiient to be given by Mr. Mordant.
[Write] to Mr. Pennington to be here this afternoon.
[Write] to Col. Johnson, Lieutenant Colonel to Mordant, to be here then. Treasury Minute Book, Vol. XI, pp. 155–6.
June 30,
afternoon.
Present: ut supra. Mr. Montague, Mr. Smith, Mr. Boyle.
Send to the King for his Majesty's signature the Secretaries of State's warrant for their salaries.
[Write] to Mr. Abbot to be here to-morrow morning.
[Prepare] an order to the Customs Commissioners to direct their officers to observe Mr. Baker's orders in using the Dragoons to prevent the exportation of wool in their several districts. Ibid., p. 157.