Minute Book: January 1701

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 16, 1700-1701. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1938.

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'Minute Book: January 1701', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 16, 1700-1701, (London, 1938) pp. 29-42. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol16/pp29-42 [accessed 25 March 2024]

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January 1701.

1700–1. Jan. 8,
forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox; Mr. Boyle; Mr. Hill.
Mr. Lawrence is to have the place of Customer of the Petty Customs [London port] vacant by the death of Starkey.
Mr. Thomas Weddal, landwaiter in extraordinary [London port] is to have the first vacant landwaiter's place [in fee].
All the petitions for the Alienation Office are to be laid before the King.
The letter [of direction is ordered] to be writ for paying the allowance of 800l. a week to the P[rivy] Purse for 13 weeks from Xmas last and 500l. a week to pay off last year's arrear [owing] to the Privy Purse.
[Likewise a letter of direction for paying] 2882l. 8s. 6d. to Mr. Hume on his [money] order.
Send to Mr. Tallman to deliver in his account of all money by him received for the Works or Gardens to Xmas last in order to be transmitted to the Auditors of Imprests.
[Order for William Lowndes or? the Exchequer to pay] 800l. to Mr. Tailor for secret service.
The contract of 4,800l. a year for the ordinary of the gardens is to determine at Xmas last; and from thence 50l. a week is to be paid [out of the Exchequer] for the same use.
The petition of the slain officers' widows is to be laid before the King next Tuesday. Treasury Minute Book XII, p. 174.
Jan. 10,
forenoon.
Present: ut supra.
[Letter of direction for] 500l. to be issued on Henry Baker's order.
[The like for] 250l. to be issued to Mr. Rymer on his order.
Michael Willson (Wilson) is to have the next landwaiter's place [vacant in London port]; and Daniel Burgesse is to have the next after that and John Shepard to be the land surveyor [ibid.].
[Order for the issue of] 8171l. 12s. 8¾d. to the Navy [Treasurer] on the head of ordinary: 2614l. 10ss. 10d. thereof to be issued out of cash in the Exchequer of the 25 per cent. Duty on French goods and 5557l. 1s. 10¾d. out of the overplus of the Civil List funds at Xmas last.
Lord Cornbury's 10l. a week is to be continued on his new order.
The [royal] bounties usually paid for the poor of St. Martin's, St. Margaret's and St. James's and for the [Charles I's] Hospital in Westminster are to be paid now. Ibid., p. 175.
Jan. 13,
forenoon.
Present: Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Mr. [Smith], Chancellor [of the Exchequer]; Mr. Boyle; Mr. Hill.
Memorandum: to speak to the Customs Commissioners whether any new direction has been given for putting in execution the Act of Navigation in Ireland. (In the margin: "Commissioners of Customs to put the Act of Navigation in Ireland in execution.")
[Write to the Principal] Commissioners of Prizes to attend on Friday morning: and in the meantime [Secretary Lowndes is to] look out all accounts concerning the prizes.
[Write] to the [Navy] Commissioners and the present and late Treasurer of the Navy, Mr. Dodington and Mr. Hubold and Mr. Madocks and to the Attorney and Solicitor General to be here on Wednesday morning. And write to Mr. Burchet that my Lords have received a reference [from the Privy Council] and in order to [the preparation of] a report have summoned the above to be here on Wednesday morning. And if the Admiralty Lords please be to here then my Lords will be glad to meet them.
[Write] to the Agents [for Taxes] to attend next Friday morning about a deficiency [in the tax receipt moneys] in Norfolk and other matters.
Desire the Lord Chief Baron to be here on Wednesday afternoon about the arrears of taxes.
[Write] to the Customs Commissioners to attend on Wednesday afternoon.
Orderd that Mr. Borrett do bring in his account [of Crown law case expenses] every term and then my Lords will consider his deserts from time to time.
Ordered that the accounts of Mr. Nicho. Baker be shown to Mr. Borrett. Ibid., p. 176.
Jan. 14,
forenoon. Hampton Court.
Present: the King: all the five Treasury Lords.
[Order for the issue of] 50l. a week from Xmas last for the ordinary of the Gardens.
The [Civil List] Scheme for disposition of 144876l. 18s. 4d. in 13 weeks from Dec. 25 last is read and approved.
The King orders that in the Scheme [of Civil List issues which is] to begin at Lady day next Mr. Latten be considered so [provided] that the growing payments be applied in part to his predecessor's arrear and the rest for the growing expense of the beagles.
My Lords are [directed by the King] to hear Mr. Talman on his accounts and give the King an account [thereof].
The office of Solicitor of Taxes [is ordered by the King] to be suppressed.
Mr. Andrew Huddleston's petition is read. The King can do nothing.
The Duchess of Cleveland [her petition is read and the King orders her] to be considered on the [above Civil List Scheme] amongst the pensions.
A warrant to be prepared for Tho. Parkes according to his petition.
Dr. Hutton's petition is read. Mr. Blathwayt is to prepare a contingent warrant for him. But first refer this petition to the Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwayt [for them] to make a report.
[The King orders my Lords to] sign the letter [of direction] for 384l. for the salary of Monsieur Richausee, Equerry.
Mris. Howard, Mris. Berkley, and Mris. Mohun are to be placed on the [above Civil List] Scheme for their [Maid of Honour marriage] portions.
The list of slain officers' widows is to be reviewed, and those only that are well entitled to the King's bounty are [?to be kept on: the others are] to have it this time but no further.
Mr. Bernard Granville [his petition is read].
John Latten's petition [is read] for 50l. a year for 2 years past and for the time to come for 2 keepers' wages at Windsor Little Park. Examine how it uses to be paid.
Mr. Nicholas's lists [of the Queen's pensions, servants &c. are read. The King orders them] to be paid half a year. Treasury Minute Book XII, p. 177.
Jan. 15,
forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present: all the five Treasury Lords together with the [the five Lords of the Admiralty viz. the] Earl of Bridgewater, Lord Haversham, Sir Geo. Rooke, Mr. Churchill, Sir David Mitchell.
The Navy Commissioners [are called in: also] the Earl of Orford, late Treasurer of the Navy, Sir Thomas Littleton present Treasurer of the Navy and Mr. Maddocks.
The memorial of the Admiralty Lords is read proposing that the defalcations [from the seamen's pay] for the [Chatham] Chest, the minister, chirurgeon, and slopsellers, which [defalcations] lie in the [Navy] Treasurer's hands, may be applied to wages.
The order of Council of Dec. 26 last referring that memorial to the Treas[ury Lords] is read.
The 12th article of the Instructions of 25 Dec. 1671 [is read].
Sir Thomas Littleton opens the nature of the defalcations and of his former instructions but submits to such order as the King will please to make.
The Earl of Orford says Mr. Doddington is out of town, who his lordship desires may be heard: that this money is stopped for slopsellers and others and if it be paid to another use how shall the persons interested get it: that he thinks he shall never be able to pass his accompt if this money be applied to another use.
Sir Thomas Littleton says that ever since 1671 the constant practice has been to make these defalcations and answer [pay] them to the persons interested, but once upon the coming in of Sir John Narborough's Fleet from the Tripoli war a particular order of Council was obtained to apply these defalcations to pay off that Fleet.
The Solicitor General comes in.
Mr. Lyddell says the [Parliamentary clauses of] appropriation hath always been for the Navy in general and not for any year [sic query for head]: that the Naval constitution hath always been that this money [stoppages or defalcations] might be applied as the Lord High Admiral should think fit: one Article says he [the Navy Treasurer] shall account every year; another that he shall charge himself with these defalcations; the third instruction says he shall take receipts [as] for his vouchers: that the order of Council for Narborough's Fleet never passed the Lord High Admiral or Navy Board: the [phrase] "Rules of the Navy" in the memorial means people passing their accounts and entitling themselves in the proper method. The meaning is that money should not be kept unnecessarily for this. Mr. Lyddell says there is 6d. [for the] chest; 4d. [for the] Minister; 2d. [for the] chirurgeon; and if there be no minister or chirurgeon for the whole time the two latter [stoppages] go to the Chest. The slopseller has had money imprested to him and is a debtor till he accounts.
Sir Thomas Littleton says he "has let the Navy Board have all the money which was for slopsellers and all the tobacco money and for the pursers except about 600l. though they [the slopsellers] come daily." As for the Chest if the money be taken from it how shall it be [made] good unless from the Civil List?
Lord Haversham thinks you cannot take money appropriated for wages and apply it to victuals or the like. The words of the Instructions are that from henceforth he shall defale [so much from the seamen's pay] and retain [the amounts so defalced] for the minister, chirurgeon, slopseller &c.: that there shall not be a great sum in the Navy Treasurer's hands continually but it should be applied and every man to be paid as soon as he comes. And till the account is made up he ought not to part with the money to another use: but when the account is made up it may be disposed of. The practice for above 20 years has explained the Article [of the Instructions]. And he thinks no alteration should be made now. It would be unreasonable and unjust to make any other alteration now.
The Chancellor [of the Exchequer agrees] unless for 2 years past the Parliament has appropriated the money for the Navy in general or sea services performed or to be performed.
Lord Godolphin [says] it is not intended to take this from wages and apply it to another head, but to the head of wages again.
Sir Thomas Littleton doth not think any appropriation is in danger; but whether it be prudential to alter the Instruction or not. When the defalcation is made the head of wages is satisfied and the money becomes the money for the party. The money for the marine clothes is kept in the [Navy] Treasurer's hands for that purpose and so is the money for Greenwich Hospital. If the money be taken away and after[wards] demanded where shall it be had [from]?
The Chancellor thinks no appropriation is in danger.
Lord Orford and Sir Thomas Littleton make no doubt but that the former Order of Council may be altered by the King in Council.
The Attorney General [says] the same power that made the order may dispense with it.
Lord Orford will send word to Mr. Lowndes when Mr. Doddington comes to town [so] that there may be another meeting.
The Admiralty [Lords] and Navy [Commissioners and Treasurer] withdraw.
Desire the Earl of Ranelagh to be here on Friday morning.
Signify the King's pleasure that what shall appear (on hearing the cause against Lord Widdrington's executors) to exceed what hath satisfied those concerned in the brief, shall be paid over to the Trustees for Redemption of Captives [in Barbary]. Ibid., pp. 178–9.
eodem die. afternoon. Present: Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Hill.
Desire Mr. Nicholas to be here on Friday afternoon and to come prepared to give my Lords an account what persons in his list [of pensioners and servants &c. of the late Queen] are dead.
The Customs Commissioners are called in. Their papers are read and answered [and the answers are endorsed thereon].
The Lord Chief Baron comes in. Ibid., p. 180.
Jan. 17,
forenoon.
Present: all the five Lords.
Mr. Killigrew's 4l. a week is to commence from Xmas last at the Exchequer.
The [Civil List] Scheme for 13 weeks from Xmas last, containing 144876l. 18s. 4d. is read and approved and ordered to be sent to the Exchequer.
Michael Wilson [is ordered] to be landwaiter [London port] loco — Dobbins deceased.
Mr. Leneve acquaints my Lords that Mr. Williamson hath been this morning at the Tally Court to demand 60l. for one year's annuity due at Xmas last.
Mr. Williamson is called in and reminds my Lords of his former demands, and he now demands 30l. more due last Xmas.
My Lords will give him an answer in few days. Send these minutes to the Attorney and Solicitor General and desire them to consider of proper answers and bring them when ready.
Write to the Excise Commissioners to know if they have received any money applicable to these demands.
The Earl of Ranelagh [attends].
Desire the Admiralty Lords and the present and late Treasurer of the Navy and their instruments [deputies and cashiers] to be here on Monday morning: and acquaint the [Admiralty] Lords that Mr. Dodington is now come to town.
The Agents for Taxes [are called in]. They are to see whether all the duplicates are come in.
Order Mr. Hewit to attend on Monday morning to shew cause (if he can) why he delays delivering up the accounts and vouchers [in his hands] to the subsequent auditor according to my Lords' order.
My Lords direct the Agents to compare the accounts which passed on the Receivers' oaths, without duplicates, with the duplicates now brought in and where they find any differences between the duplicates and the charge in such accounts that they present an abstract thereof to my Lords whereupon my Lords will direct the passing of new accounts to surcharge such accountants.
The Agents are to inspect the lists of supers standing out and send them to the Receiver in each county, who is to inform himself of the solvency of such arrears and to give notice thereof to the sheriffs; and to obtain from the sheriffs (if they can) power to levy the same as their bailiffs.
Write to the officers of the Exchequer to transmit hither lists of of these arrears.
Mr. Paschal says that in less than a week my Lords shall have an abstract of all the accounts of prizes shewing how they stand.
Mr. Paschal to be here again on Monday morning.
[The army] clothiers are called in and are told there is no more money left of the last year's funds. Treasury Minute Book XII, pp. 181–2.
eodem die, afternoon. Present: Lord Godolphin; Mr. Boyle; Mr. Hill.
[Write] to Henry Baker to be here on Monday morning about the Sloop. Ibid., p. 183.
Jan. 20,
forenoon.
Present: all the five Lords.
The Surveyor [General of Works] is to go to the Lord Chamberlain to lay before him the order of Council for removing Mris. Symonds and to acquaint him that my Lords having directed him to acquaint Mris. Symonds she [thereupon] refuses to quit possession; and he is to desire my Lord Chamberlain to take the proper course for putting Mr. Ball in possession.
[Letter of direction for] 60l. to be paid to Joseph Man on his order.
The Earl of Bridgewater, Mr. Churchill and Sir David Mitchell [Admiralty Lords] come in, also the Earl of Orford, Lord Haversham, Sir Thomas Littleton, and the Navy Commissioners and Mr. Dodington.
Mr. Dodington que[sti]ons whether the [Navy] Treasurer can part with the money that is stopped [from seamen's wages and that is earmarked] for the parties [to whom it is due]. He supposes that if there be an alteration of the order for the future it cannot relate to what is past. The 12th Instruction was to corroborate the law that on no pretence he [the Navy Treasurer] should delay the [payment to the said] parties.
Lidal says in the Instructions anno 1660 the [Navy] Treasurer was to account every year and to charge himself with all abatements &c. [such voluntary charge] to be added to his other charge; and he to be allowed so much [per contra] as he produces receipts for; and in my Lord Orford's ledgers for 1689–1696 inclusive he is charged with 141,000l. of this kind: if there be an overplus after the chirurgeon and chaplains it is for the Chest: as to Tobacco money it is the party's unless he be debtor to the king.
Sir Tho. Littleton says if no defalcations be made for the future he has no objection; but if defalcations be made for the use of the parties they will have their [right of] action and it may fall hard on the [Navy] Treasurers, their widows and children.
The order for dispensing with the Instruction [in order] to pay Sir John Narborough's Fleet is read.
The Navy Commissioners say that they intend everybody should be paid out of these defalcations as they come for it; but that the money not called for be applied to wages.
Lord Haversham says Sir Edward Seymour was in [the Privy] Council and consented to the order for Narborough's Fleet; but that's no rule for others.
Sir David Mitchel says money being in the [Navy] Treasurer's hands they thought it unreasonable that ships should lie upon charge.
Lord Haversham said he meant only defalcations.
Mr. Churchill says they meant all the money and tallies in the [Navy] Treasurer's hands for wages.
Lord Haversham thinks the order of Council makes the [Navy] Treasurer liable to the parties.
Sir T. Li[ttleton says] if [there be] no defalcations he [the Navy Treasurer] is not liable; if defalcations be made for the party he [the party] has a right and a remedy.
Lidal says "they send the minister and surgeon [is sent] to the Chest; and the slop seller is chargeable with imprests."
Dodington [says] Greenwich Hospital has an Act [of Parliament] for their money.
The Solicitor General says: by the king's order the stoppage may be made; when 'tis made and the use [is] appointed it must go to that use: if it be a public use the King may alter it but not a private use. As to the chest none can sue the [Navy] Treasurer but the King for the Chest; but in the case of the minister and chirurgeon tis for a private use and after a defalcation actually made [for them] it cannot be diverted, and the party may bring his action [against the said Treasurer]: but the king may order no defalcation to be made for the future and then the Treasurer will not be liable. As to the chirurgeon and minister if there be a time [limited] on the order making the defalcation, for them [the parties] to call for the money and they do not call for it they may [be left to] look for it.
Mr. Dodington proposes that in contracts with slopsellers it be expressed that they shall be paid as the King shall direct and so [also] in the Institutions of chirurgeons and ministers.
The [Navy] Treasurer cannot be sued but by the minister, chirurgeon and slopsellers.
The Navy Board think after the [passing of the Navy Treasurer's] account, which should be every year, they have no right to call for it from the Treasurer.
Sir T. L[ittleton] says there is as much due to the Chest as is in his hands, about 3000l.; but the purser has the same right in law, and upon their [own] accounts do constantly come for their money.
My Lords will make a report to the King: "but inform yourself how much is in the [Navy] Treasurer's hands of [the money of] defalcations and how much for each service." Treasury Minute Book XII, pp. 184–5.
Jan. 21,
forenoon. Hampton Court.
Present: all the five Treasury Lords.
[Order for] 100l. to be issued to the Office of Works for Mr. Verrio upon account of his painting.
The King comes in.
[The King] ordered 167l. for repairs in the parks, occasioned by the tempest.
Col. Blood's petition [is read]. Referred to the Ordnance and afterwards to the Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwayt.
The fines set by court martial in the Navy are to continue to [go to] the [Chatham] Chest as they have done [heretofore].
My Lords consider the leaving out these words 'and not recruited sooner" in the sixth line of a warrant for stating the pay of detachments respited.
Lord Falkland to have 100l.
On Mr. Travers' memorial for money to discharge debts for the park at Windsor my Lords are [ordered by the King] to speak with him and to pay something towards these debts if money cannot be raised from the lands.
Bernard Granvill [his petition is read. The King ordered] 100l. to be given him.
Dr. Fairclough's memorial is read and referred to Lord Coningsby.
Thomas Bourn [his petition is read. The king orders him] 20l.
[The King orders] 1000l. for the poor of London.
Mr. Papillon's memorial [is read] for his additional salary.
See what the charge of last year's Victualling came to.
[My Lords to attend the King again] Wednesday next at Kensington at 5 [in the afternoon]. Ibid., p. 186.
Jan. 22,
afternoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present: all the five Lords.
The letter [of direction] for 1250l. to the Secretaries of State for secret service is read and approved.
Desire Mr. Heathcott and Mr. Eyles to be here on Friday morning.
[Write] to the [Navy] Victualler to attend on Friday evening about Sir Thomas Draper's brewhouse.
Whereas the Earl of Ranelagh hath this day borrowed 2000l. from Mr. Francis Eyles; 3000l. from Samuel Moyer; 2000l. from Sir James Bateman; 2000l. from Sir Walter Scawen; 2000l. from Gilbert Heathcott; 2000l. from Sir Theodore Janssen; 2000l. from Mr. John Ward; the Treasury Lords do engage and promise that the said sums amounting to 15000l. shall be paid and satisfied within 3 months from this day with 6 per cent. interest.
The Customs Commissioners are called in. Their papers are read. The answers are [endorsed or margined] upon the papers.
The wine merchants are called in. Mr. Ferne is by this day week to bring an account of what is due on their bonds distinguishing those that became payable before Lady day 1699 from those which became due since until 18 Oct. 1700.
The Customs Commissioners are to attend again next Tuesday afternoon. Ibid., p. 187.
Jan. 24,
forenoon.
Present: Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. Hill.
The letter to Sir Christopher Wren to apply to the Lord Chamberlain to put Mr. Ball in possession, is read and approved.
[Write] to Mr. Tallman to attend with his account this day week, to wit the accounts of all the money he has received.
[Write] to Mr. Travers to be here on Monday morning.
Write to the Navy Commissioners and Navy Treasurer to cause 6263l. 12s. 6½d. (out of the 20000l. for the Sick and Wounded) to be paid to Richard Povey Esq., Receiver for Sick and Wounded, to be applied for quarters and care of sick and wounded as follows viz.:
£ s. d.
at Portsmouth, Gosport, Southampton, and Fareham 3428 3
at Plymouth 583 7 2
" Falmouth 43 16 0
" Dartmouth 751 13 4
" Weymouth 50 7 0
" Bideford 1 11 4
" Pembroke 15 2 4
" Bristol 41 13 4
" Taunton 10 0 0
" Shoreham 3 14 8
" Ipswich 13 6 8
" Harwich 127 1 8
" Yarmouth 50 0 0
" Liverpool 26 13 4
" Hull 13 6 8
" Newcastle 116 13 4
in Ireland 218 13 4
" Guernsey, Jersey and Scilly 768 8 8
£6263 12
The directions of the 2nd and 25 Oct. herein are to be observed.
For the charge [expense] of himself and his clerk and for the charge of the money for so many days as he shall be out upon this service Mr. Povey is to be allowed 30s. a day. Write to the Navy Board to make out bills for this [allowance] and for the like allowance for the Comr. [Navy commissioner] and his 2 clerks attending the pay during the time he shall be out upon a certificate by the other Com[missioners] adjusting the days. And these bills are to be assigned for payment out of the 20000l.
Desire the Navy Commissioners to be here on Wednesday morning about the accounts of Sick and Wounded.
Jeremiah Bass and John Lofting [are] to have 500l. in further part of their judgment.
The Victuallers [attend]. When the Navy Commissioners are here [my Lords will] speak to them about the paying of the pursers and coopers out of course.
Look out the Minutes (about 3 years ago) that were taken [concerning] the Victuallers paying in course.
Desire the Attorney General to be here on Monday morning about the Proclamation concerning the French pistoles. Treasury Minute Book XII, pp. 188–9.
Jan. 24,
afternoon.
Present: all the five Lords.
The prosecution against Thomas Davis the messenger is to cease.
[Write] to Mr. Studholme to be here next Friday morning.
[Write] to the Agents to be here on Monday morning about Mason's debt.
Desire Mr. Blathwait to attend on Monday morning. Ibid., p. 190.
Jan. 27,
forenoon.
Present: ut supra.
[Write] to the Excise Commissioners and Mr. Bruxby to be here to-morrow afternoon.
Memorandum: My Lords have this day signed a dormant warrant for paying the pension of 3000l. a year to the Duke of Northumberland; which is done by the King's special command in consideration of a conveyance which the Duke voluntarily makes to trustees for the King of the Duke's interest in the house and park and other things at Hampton Court.
My Lords having advised with the Attorney General upon Mr. Row's answer to the resolution of my Lords on the last hearing [of his matter] the Attorney General thinks that Mr. Rowe ought to submit to that resolution or else my Lords ought to intermeddle no further in it. The resolution was as follows:
"My Lords are of opinion that Mr. Row do forthwith pass the grant of Hinde's extended estate to trustees to be named by Lady Wood and others concerned in the tallies: and after the charges of passing the grant are repaid to Mr. Row, that the profits be applied to satisfy the said tallies: and that if the trustees can raise money to satisfy the said tallies within 2 years' time, then the tallies shall be delivered up to Mr. Row to pass his account. And if they cannot raise money out of that estate to pay off the tallies within the said time, then the said tallies or so many of them as shall rest unsatisfied shall remain with Lady Wood and the others that now have them to make such use thereof as they lawfully may; and in the meantime the tallies to remain in the hands of the trustees, the process [at law] to be stayed and issues to be discharged."
My Lords having 2 or 3 years since directed a prosecution against Thomas Smith and Richard Poyke, late Clerks of the Checque [to the messengers of the Chamber] and [against] their adherents for several frauds by them committed, which upon examination did plainly appear to my Lords, and the said late Clerks of the Cheque having been turned out for the same, my Lords are pleased to direct that the said prosecution do stay, they [the said clerks] paying the costs: and Mr. Vanbrugh having been very instrumental and serviceable to the King in detecting the said frauds, my Lords do approve of his service and direct him to have the same care in examining and correcting the bills of the messengers [of the Chamber] for the future.
Write to Sir John Standly to give Mr. Vanbrugh an abstract quarterly of all warrants wherewith the Lord Chamberlain charges the office of Treasurer of the Chamber.
Write a letter [of direction to the Exchequer] for the money due to Sir T. Littleton as Speaker [of the Commons]. Ibid., pp. 191–2.
Jan. 28,
forenoon.
Present: Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Mr. Boyle; Mr. Hill.
[Write] to the two Auditors of Imprests to be here to-morrow morning about the Accounts of Sick and Wounded.
Direct the [Principal] Officers of the Mint to be here on Friday morning.
[Write] to the Victuallers to come on Friday morning. Ibid., p. 193.
eodem die, afternoon. Present: Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. Hill.
The letter to Mr. Ryley of this date is read and approved.
Write letters [of direction to the Exchequer] for paying as follows on the proper warrants and orders [respectively relating thereto]
£ s. d.
to Lord Lucas for Contingents [for the Tower] 86 5 4
" Mr. Williamson 50
" Isaac Richier 80
" Rudolph Kien 100
" Mr. Brisac 20
" Mr. Ryly for repairs 167
" Lord Pembroke, late Lord Privy Seal 1735
" Mr. Lowndes for secret service 500
£2738 5 4
The Customs Commissioners are called in with Mr. Ferne. The Commissioners present an account (signed by him) of all bonds in the hands of him or the [Customs] Solicitor as follows
due on 1699 Mar 25 1700 Mar 25 1700 Oct 18 totals
Wine bonds 14536 6 10 45955 1 1 54119 4 5 114610 12
Tobacco bonds 43958 14 7 30991 13 3 58526 1 133476 10
58495 1 5 76946 14 4 112645 6 248087 2
My Lords confirm their former order as to all the said bonds drawn on or before 25 March 1700. And as to the bonds for 112645l. 6s. 7½d. they order that the same shall be received without interest provided they be so satisfied before the 25th of March next.
The wine merchants are called in. The preceding Minute is read to them. They earnestly press that instead of 25th March next it may be the first day of next Trinity term; and promise to make no application for further favour if they do not comply by that time:
Upon which my Lords do not think fit to order any prosecution upon those bonds before the first day of Trinity term next; and are pleased to direct that in the mean time the Receiver General [of Customs] may receive the money due on those bonds without interest. And he is also at any time before the first of Trinity term to receive payment of the principal only of all bonds becoming due between 18 Oct. last and the said first day of Trinity term next.
And my Lords direct them to take warning and not to expect any forbearance hereafter beyond the resolutions now taken; but that all bonds afterwards to become due shall be exacted with interest if they be not paid as they become due.
No interest is to be taken for the 5090l. 2s. 2½d. paid by way of deposit before this day.
Desire the Board of Ordnance to be here on Friday concerning the gunlocks to be provided [as consideration] for the release of captives in Barbary.
The Excise Commissioners are called in. Their papers are read.
Mr. Brooksby is called in. He speaks of improving the Excise generally and lessening the charges of management by teaching the officers so that 3 may do as much as 9. He would sit in the judicial part and have the instruction of the officers in the mysteries of the brewers. He says that the officers are now generally ignorant of all the brewing trade. He desires my Lords to employ him and to have his wages when he has done his work but he'll take nothing that the Excise Commissioners can give him. He has made an affidavit concerning the causes of the fall of the Excise. He will not take any appointment from the Excise Commissioners for any particular brewhouse, but he'll improve the revenue at 12d. in the £. Treasury Minute Book XII, p. 193–4.
Jan. 29,
forenoon.
Present: all the five Lords.
The Navy Commissioners are called in with the Commissioners of Sick and Wounded, the Auditors of Imprests and Sir Thomas Littleton, about the method of passing the account of the money for Sick and Wounded.
Mr. Povey is ordered to bring in his account as Treasurer to the Sick and Wounded containing all his receipts and payments.
The Navy Commissioners [are heard. They] are to send my Lords an account of all the money and tallies remaining in the hands of the Earl of Orford (over and above the assignments upon him) to the end of December last and upon what particular heads the same doth so remain. They will attend with this account next Tuesday morning.
Desire Mr. Dodington to attend then. Give him notice of the direction to the Navy Board and desire him in the mean time to go to the Navy Board and adjust it with them.
Desire the Earl of Ranelagh to be here on Monday.
Order the Commissioners of Prizes and Mr. Aldworth's deputy auditor to be here on Monday and to bring with him the accounts of prizes in his hands.
Desire the Attorney General that my Lords may speak with him at his own convenience as he goes to or comes from the [Westminster] Hall, about Mr. Williamson's demand. Ibid., p. 195.
eodem die, afternoon. Kensington. Present: the King; all the five Treasury Lords.
The King orders that a new contract be made for subscriptions to circulate the Exchequer Bills.
The list of payments by Mr. Nicholas [to the late Queen's servants and pensioners &c.] is considered. The King remembers that last year he ordered several to be left out of the said list. But where the reason for their leaving them out is ceased they are to be replaced in the list now.
The King will give direction to the Lord Chamberlain, the Master of the Horse, the Groom of the Stole &c. that such of the Queen's servants as are in this list viz. footmen, grooms, pages &c. be preferred to the King's service as vacancies shall happen; whereby the charge of this list may be lessened.
[The King orders the] 800l. per an. to the Lord Almoner and the 425l. to the Vaudois ministers to cease.
[likewise that the] 100l. per an to the Bishop of London and the 100l. per an. to the Bishop of Salisbury be left out of the list.
All the payments are to be made by Mr. Nicholas himself and not to any hands for others.
[The King orders that as to the] 1100l. per an. to Monsieur Louvigny "that ought to be all paid by Mr. Nicholas."
[likewise that] Dr. Standly's payments [are] to determine.
[likewise] the stipends to the ministers at Kensington and Hampton Court [are] to be struck out.
[likewise the] 100l. per an. to Sir John Chardin [is] not to be paid him.
[likewise] Elphinston, Willoughby and Russell to have each 100l. a year and no more; but to be well [punctually] paid.
[likewise] Mris. Dorothy Burgh's arrears to her death [are] to be paid.
[likewise that] Mr. Bertie and Mr. Lloyd ought to be out.
[likewise that] the persons that had the honour to serve the Queen as tradesmen only are to be struck out.
Where persons are now struck out, or lessened, they are to be paid full to Xmas 1699 and no further. But the persons that were ordered to be left out last year are to have no further payments.
[The King orders that] 1500l. is to be now paid to Mr. Roberts for the land bought [of him] at Windsor.
Mr. Henry Villiers to have the place in the Alienation Office void by the death of Mr. Peregrine Bertie.
It is the King's pleasure that the additional allowance of 600l. per an. to Mr. Papillon be continued to Xmas 1698 and no longer.
Mr. Andrew Corbet is recommended to be in the Victualling Commission. Ibid., p. 196.
Jan. 31,
Friday forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present: Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. Hill.
The [Principal] Officers of the Ordnance are called in. They think a licence may be obtained from the King in Council to the Earl of Romney, Master of the Ordnance, to import and bring into the King's [Ordnance] stores any quantity not exceeding 3000 gunlocks [fashioned] after the fashion of Barbary.
Desire the Governor of the old East India Company to come to my Lords this day week with an account of the quantity of salt petre they can furnish to the Ordnance for the King's service, which now requires a supply of that commodity.
Direct the Auditors forthwith to prepare Sir Polycarpus Wharton's account for declaration.
Mr. Tallman will bring in an account next week of the money issued for the works under his care.
Mr. Studholme [is] called in. He is told that the works done last year without estimates and direction from this Board is against the rule settled by the King. Refer his bills to the Office of Works to view and measure these works and to rate them and to make report thereon.
The Trustees for Exchequer Bills [attend]. My Lords approve of the advertisement they now offer for a new contract and of the rules which they offer for themselves to go by in taking the subscription.
The Victuallers [attend].
The letter [of direction to the Exchequer] for 1500l. for land bought at Windsor is read and approved.
[Write] to the officers of the Mint to be here on Wednesday morning. Desire the Attorney General to be here then and to bring with him the draft of the Proclamation for the Pistoles.
Write to Mr. Borret to be here on Wednesday about the forfeited estate of Joseph Horton.
Write to to Revenue Commissioners, Ireland to send my Lords a state of the whole matter concerning the Earl of Antrim's quit rents as it now stands.
Shut the [Treasury Chambers] door in the afternoon.
Write to Lancelot Burton to be here on Monday morning.
Find out the lease which was made to my Lord Lexinton. Treasury Minute Book XII, p. 197.
eodem die, afternoon. Present: all the five Lords.
[Write] to Mr. Nicholas to be here this day week. Ibid., p. 198.