Minute Book: March 1703 | British History Online

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 18, 1703. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1936.

'Minute Book: March 1703', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 18, 1703, (London, 1936) pp. 17-30. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol18/pp17-30 [accessed 26 April 2024]

March 1703



March 1, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer. [Send] to the Commissioners of Prizes to be here to-morrow morning about delivering the galeons and other vessels to the Commissioners of the Navy. [Send] to Mr. Blathwait to be here to-morrow morning. Likewise to Mr. Whitfield. Write to Mr. Shakerley to send my Lord an account of the pay due to the Company of Invalids at Chester to the 24th of December last and how much [is due] for 2 months since that day, reckoning only by the effective men. My Lord reads and approves the draft of a letter [of direction to the Exchequer for the issue] of 3530l. 10s. 0d. for the General [or Staff] Officers in Flanders. [My Lord orders a] power to be given to the Receiver of Land Revenues in Gloucestershire to receive for the Queen's use the Queen's part of the penalty inflicted or to be inflicted on offenders in the Forest of Dean for offences there relating to the deer or the woods upon convictions before Justices of the Peace ; and direct the auditor [of Co. Gloucester] to take care that the Receiver be duly charged therewith upon his oath. [Write] Mr. Ryley to certify what is due to the Conservator and the Keepers of Dean Forest. [Send] to the Attorney General to be here on Wednesday morning upon a petition of the Mayor and Aldermen of London concerning the Office of Chamberlain of the City. Treasury Minute Book XIV, p. 38.
March 1, afternoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Excise Commissioners are called in. Their papers are read [and my Lord's answers and decisions are endorsed] on them. The Salt Commissioners are called in and their papers are read &c. as above. The Secretary of the Salt Duties is to have 200l. per an. for himself and his clerks ; the Comptroller 300l. per an. for himself and his clerks ; and the Receiver General 400l. per an. for himself, his assistants and clerks and billmen : [all] to commence from Xmas last. Ibid., p. 39.
March 2, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : ut supra. Sir Stephen Evance and others, remitters [of exchange for the Troops in Flanders] are called in. [On hearing them my Lord] ordered that 6053l. 2s. 3d. be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh in further part of 700,000l. given [by Parliament] last year for the Army in Flanders ; by levying tallies on the overplus of the Malt Duties : the same being intended to be paid over to the said remitters for [their loss on] remitting 98,000l. for the said army at 10 guilders 17 stivers when the current price of exchange was about 10 guilders 5 stivers as per their account ; the difference having been agreed to be made good to them. And in case the Malt Duties do not satisfy the said tallies for 6053l. 2s. 3d. with interest at 5 per cent. per annum by the 3rd of July next, my Lord resolves the same shall be made good to them some other way. [My Lord orders the issue of] 112,000l. to the Navy for the Course of the Navy to carry on the same to Michaelmas last or thereabouts : to be issued out of loans in the Exchequer. The Navy Commissioners are called in. They [promise my Lord that they] will bring this day week an estimate of what payments will be necessary for the Navy this year. On Friday week in the afternoon my Lord will consider all accounts of the Navy and Victualling [which are undeclared and] behind. Send to the Attorney General, the Auditors of Imprests, the Navy Commissioners, Sir Cloudesley Shovel, the Comptroller of the Victualling, Mr. Madox, Mr. Dodington, Mr. Sturt, the Commissioners of the Victualling, Mr. Papillon and all others concerned, to be here. [My Lord orders] 1164l. 15s. 4d. out of loans in the Exchequer to be issued to the Navy [Treasurer] for the freight of the Canterbury galley : and the like sum lately issued for that service is to be applied for payment of bills of exchange under the head of Wear and Tear. [My Lord orders] the like as to 600l. which was issued for the freight of the Earl of Peterborough's goods. The Commissioners of Prizes are called in. My Lord acquaints the Commissioners of the Navy and the Prizes Commissioners that they must part with no prize ships, guns or goods to the Navy till approved [by the Treasury] and they must be paid for, so that the Queen may have her part thereof and similarly the captors may have their part. The Navy Commissioners say that as to men of war they always have them [on the footing of] paying only what is due to the captors by the [value] declaration : as to the galeons they dont desire them unless they may have them at reasonable rates. [My Lord] ordered that the Victuallers do pay 2290l. 12s. 2¾d. to the Prize Office for the Queen's part of the victuals taken on the Felicity and Susan and Mary and Mary and Ann taken by Capt. Norris. Send to Mr. Newton to be here to-morrow morning about coining the Vigo silver brought to the Mint. [My Lord orders the issue of] 14,151l. 6s. 5½d. to Mr. How for clearings to 24th Feb. last inclusive for 2 months : to be issued out of loans in the Exchequer : but write to Mr. Howe to certify to my Lord how much on the computation of the muster rolls appeared to be respited on every Regiment or Independent Company for the said time. Let the doors be shut to-morrow in the afternoon [when my Lord will consider petitions]. Ibid., pp. 40-41.
March 3, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : ut supra. My Lord Montague says the presents for the Dey of Algiers and those of Tunis and Tripoli should be provided of right in his [the Great Wardrobe] Office. My Lord Treasurer agrees to this but [explains that] for the urgency of the service they are provided this time by Mr. Baker and Mr. Hume. The Lord Chamberlain comes in. [My Lord Treasurer orders that] when the [Household] servants go to Windsor or Hampton Court they are not to be allowed riding charges for any time exceeding a week. [Write] to Mr. Burchet [the Admiralty Secretary] that my Lord finds the Queen is at great charge to furnish the [royal] yachts because the Captains take the Queen's goods as their fees : and to desire that such order may be made [by the Admiralty Lords] that each Captain be chargeable [for goods so taken]. "Mr. Fazakerley will receive all the taxes [Land Tax for London, Westminster and Middlesex] this year at 1½d. per £." Write to the Attorney General to consent to the payment of 661l. 10s. 0d. to Mr. Guy Palmes, the relator in the suit against the Bank for Presgrave's bill. Ibid., p. 42.
Eodem die afternoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : Lord Treasurer. Mr. Eyles and Mr. Ward are to be here on Friday morning about 11 of the clock. Petitions are read [and my Lord's decisions are endorsed or minuted thereon]. On Friday afternoon shut the doors [of the Treasury Office when my Lord will again consider petitions]. Ibid., p. 43.
March 5, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : the Lord Treasurer. [My Lord orders] 2000l. to be issued to the Stables in part of 20,000l. Write to Mr. James Harbord to hasten the accounts of his Office which remain unpassed. Write to Mr. Bridges to present to my Lord forthwith a state of Mr. Harbord's accounts remaining unpassed. [My Lord orders the issue of] 297l. to Mr. How on the Queen's warrant of 25 Feb. last to Sir Charles Hara for raising 99 men in the room of so many detached for Brigadier Columbine's Regiment, Her Majesty is to be reimbursed by placing the same to account of that [Columbine's] Regiment. Mr. Blathwait and Mr. How [attend]. My Lord resolves that the 2 Regiments to go from hence into Holland shall continue in Mr. How's [care of] pay till the day of their embarcation and that they be mustered as soon as they arrive in Holland. [My Lord] ordered the issue of 54,747l. 13s. 4d. to Mr. Fox for a month's subsistence to the subject [English] Forces and a month's pay to the foreign Troops to April 15 next inclusive : [and similarly] 5000l. for Contingencies : all on Mr. Fox's memorial of this day. [My Lord ordered] 5000l. to be issued to the Works for works at St. James's : to be by 1000l. a month beginning on Thursday next. "But let all the officers [of the Board of Works] sign the estimate." Let the [Treasury Office] doors be shut to-morrow morning [during the consideration of petitions]. Treasury Minute Book XIV, p. 44.
March 6, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : Lord Treasurer. [My Lord Treasurer orders that] the Earl of Ranelagh is forthwith to deliver to the Auditor his accounts of the moneys paid to him for the Forces in the Low Countries in the years 1701 and 1702. Petitions are read [and my Lord's answers and decisions are endorsed or minuted thereon]. [My Lord orders the issue of] 10,000l. to Mr. Eyles out of the Queen's part of Prizes. [My Lord orders the issue of] 2000l. for the extraordinaries of the Queen's Stables before a Master of the Horse was appointed : to be issued on the order in Mr. [Charles] Johnson's name. [Send word] to the Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Shakerley to be here next Friday morning. [Send] to the Prizes Commissioners to be here on Monday morning. Ibid., p. 45.
March 8, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : Lord Treasurer. [My Lord orders] Mr. Robert Jennings to be searcher [one of the 5 undersearchers of London port] ; loco Mr. Beauvoir. [Send word] to the Postm[asters General] and Mr. Dummer to be here in the afternoon at 5 o'clock. The Commissioners of Prizes are called in. My Lord acquaints them with the Attorney General's opinion that they should proceed in the Admiralty Court to condemn the goods brought from Port St. Mary and they are to restore Sir Thomas Cook's goods according to the sentence in the Admiralty. And my Lord acquaints them he can give no order for restoring goods [whilst they are] under the arrest of the Admiralty but they [the Prize Commissioners] must act by the order of that Court. My Lord orders them to be very careful in seeing that all warrants of appraisement be duly made out, executed and returned. Ibid., p. 46.
Eodem die afternoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : my Lord Treasurer. The Postmasters [General] are called in. Their report is read and answered. Prepare a warrant to allow the taxes [assessments on the salaries] of the officers of the Post Office whose salaries do not exceed 60l. a year as usual. Mr. Dummer is called in. Let Mr. Powys prepare an account against Wednesday afternoon of what is due to all Foreign Ministers. [My Lord orders the issue to the Works of] 682l. 16s. 9d. upon the report of the officers of said Works dated Feb. 4 last : to be paid to Mr. Wise [for works in Kensington Gardens]. [My Lord orders the Exchequer] to advance the 60l. to Mr. Griffith out of his salary wheresoever it shall be payable. [My Lord orders the issue of] 100l. to Lord Edward Russell upon the order in his name [as Treasurer of the Chamber] for 20,000l. towards paying the arrears to the late King's servants. Write to the [Queen's] printers that my Lord takes notice of their furnishing Statute Books, volumes of Rushworth's 'Collections' and other printed books every session to the Clerks of both Houses of Parliament ; and direct them not to repeat that charge for the future without acquainting his Lordship. Ibid.
March 9, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : my Lord Treasurer. [Send word] to the officers of the Exchequer to be here to-morrow morning about the salaries of the Agents for Taxes. Write to Mr. Blathwayt to send my Lord a certificate of what revenues are payable to the Crown in the several Plantations or Colonies and to what uses they are respectively applicable : also to send to my Lord a state of the accounts of the Receivers of the Plantations. Send to the Auditor to enquire who hath received the rents and profits of the manor of Richmond ever since the Revolution and what money is in their or any of their hands unaccounted for. [My Lords orders the issue of] 200l. to Mr. Borrett for [Crown] law suits ; as in his memorial. [My Lord orders the issue of] 258l. 10s. 0d. to Mr. Hen. Baker to pay the pensioners (usually paid by him) for 11 weeks due on Saturday next ; 50l. to pay to Ed. Anderson et al as by a former warrant and 91l. 10s. 0d. for other services : in all 400l. [My Lord orders] Mr. Povey to prepare his accounts [of Sick and Wounded] so as the same may terminate at Xmas last and afterwards let his accounts terminate annually at Xmas : and he is to take care that his first account be brought to my Lord forthwith in order to be passed in the Exchequer and that thereafter his annual accounts be presented within one month. Ibid., p. 47.
March 10, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : my Lord Treasurer. Reports and petitions are read [and my Lord's minutes and answers are endorsed thereon]. The Auditor [of the Receipt] and the Tellers of the Exchequer [are called in]. [My Lord orders] the stated accounts of the country Mints to be sent to the Warden, Master Worker and Comptroller of the Mint in the Tower and to Mr. Tho. Hall, Auditor [Edward] Harley and the Surveyor General [of Crown Lands] empowering them or any 4 of them to examine the several articles with the vouchers and to make their observations upon the particulars and to give my Lord their opinion upon the whole. [My Lord orders] 2750l. to be issued to Mr. [Charles] Johnson for the Stables. Treasury Minute Book XIV, p. 48.
March 12, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : My Lord Treasurer, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. [My Lord orders] 225l. to be paid to the Agents for Taxes for a quarter due at Xmas last : to be paid out of Civil List money. The Navy Commissioners and the rest of the persons appointed to attend this afternoon are put off till Monday afternoon. Mr. Pauncefort comes in. [My Lord orders] 3500l. to be issued to Mr. Fox in part of the charge of the additional 10,000 men for the service of the Low Countries pursuant to the Queen's pleasure signified by the Duke of Ormonde : the same being intended for the charge of provisions and transportation of the Regiments of Stanhope and Meredith from Dublin to Holland. Ibid., p. 49.
Eodem die afternoon.	Present :— [My Lord orders] 4217l. 12s. 8d. to be issued to Mr. Whitfield for the Marine Regiments in his pay : to be issued out of this year's funds [and to be] for offreckonings and clearings for 2 months to Feb. 24 last and for a month's subsistence to April 25 next. My Lord reads and approves the draft of a letter [of direction to the Exchequer for the issue] of 3500l. [to Paymaster of the Forces to be paid over to the Commissioners of Transports] to transport the Regiments of Stanhope and Meredith from Ireland to Holland as part of the 10,000 additional men. [My Lord orders] 86,152l. 7s. 0d. to be issued [to the Navy Treasurer] out of this year's funds to carry on the course of the Victualling to Michaelmas last. [likewise] 10,000l. [to same] out of the like funds : to be for bills of exchange, Short Allowance Money to the seamen, Necessary Money to the pursers and other Contingencies of the Victualling. Ibid.
March 15, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : Lord Treasurer ; Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Excise Commissioners, the Auditor of Excise and the Commissioners of Salt Duties are to be here to-morrow afternoon. [Send] to my Lord Ranelagh to be here to-morrow morning and Mr. Blathwaite. [My Lord orders] Mr. Sankey to have 20l. [as royal] bounty out of Secret Service money. [The Earl of] Ran[elagh] and Mr. Bl[athwaite are] to come prepared to inform my Lord what will be necessary to despatch the 2 Regiments for Holland. And the said Earl is to bring with him an account of what money he hath paid to Mr. Sweet. Ibid., p. 50.
March 15, afternoon.	Present : ut supra. The Attorney General thinks the Gunnage and Tonnage in the Queen's declaration [in connection with the division of shares in the case of any particular prize ship] is only [meant] for the ship and her tackle and not for the provisions or stores. Sir Edward Seymour is called in as also the Commissioners of the Navy and the Attorney General. [My Lord orders that] Mr. Madocks is to attend the Navy Commissioners to-morrow afternoon and so every other afternoon to settle the remaining points in difference concerning the said Seymour's final accounts [as Navy Treasurer], till the same be determined. And if there be any points wherein they cannot agree, those points are to be laid before my Lord Treasurer for his determination on or before the 10th of April next. Sir Edward Seymour goes out and the Auditors of Imprests come in, and Mr. Dodington and Mr. Papillon. [Write] to Mr. Maine and Mr. Burrington sending them a copy of the instructions for transmitting to the [Navy] Comptroller's office quarterly or monthly an account of decayed provisions, tallow, hides, offal, bran &c. and directing them to make answer whether such accounts were delivered or kept and what books or accounts were kept whereby to charge the [Navy] Treasurer with those things. And write to them that their answer to the Commissioners of the Navy concerning the antedating of warrants is not satisfactory and that they ought to send my Lord a clearer account of that matter. Direct the present Commissioners of the Victualling to proceed with expedition in examining Mr. Papillon's vouchers for short provisions, Necessary Money &c. and to make a certificate to the Navy Board. My Lord is of opinion that the voluntary charge in my Lord Orford's account [as Navy Treasurer as stated] by Mr. Papillon, his cashier, for decayed provisions, hides, tallow, offal &c. be admitted at present on Mr. Papillon's oath that he received no more ; but that a commission issue to fit persons to enquire what sums, if any, ought to be surcharged on him [Lord Oxford] or any others [on that head]. Mr. Sturt is called in. The Navy Commissioners [inform my Lord that they] have written to the present Commissioners of the Victualling concerning the accounts of the Treasurer [of the Navy during the period] whilst Mr. Sturt was cashier [to the Victuallers] ; to which [letter the Victualling Commissioners have promised that] they will give answer as soon as possible. [My Lord orders that] Mr. Sturt is to follow the Commissioners of the Victualling to clear the points in question. Mr. Twitty is called in. [My Lord orders the issue of] 50,000l. to the Navy on the head of wages. My Lord, finding by letter from the Navy Commissioners of the 13th inst. and [on consideration] of Mr. Collins's proposition which came with that letter the difficulty they have to provide pitch and tar, does direct them to consider of instructions proper to be given to the Queen's Minister in Sweden to make the said provision. Stay the process against Mr. Sturt till the first day of next Trinity term. Ibid., pp. 50-1.
March 16, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : Lord Treasurer ; Chancellor of the Exchequer. [My Lord orders the issue of] 300l. to John Greathead out of Secret Service [money] and 50l. to Mr. Veralst as Royal bounty. Likewise 1000l. [to William Lowndes] for Secret Service. The Earl of Ranelagh, Mr. Blathwait and Mr. Shakerly are called in. Ordered that out of the funds of last year or out of the produce of prizes 3000l. be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh for Contingencies of the year ended 1702 Dec. 24 for the Guards and Garrisons. My Lord further ordered that out of the said 3000l. there be applied 1052l. 19s. 1d. to pay the Company of Invalids at Chester from 26 May 1702 to Dec. 24. [My Lord orders the] issue to Mr. How of 333l. 13s. 4d. in part of 5000l. for support of the Invalids, to pay the [above]said Company from 25 Dec. 1702 to the 25th March 1703 (making with the aforesaid sum 1,386l 12s. 5d. in all). Mr. Shakerly will give 20s. apiece to the men [Invalids] in Chester who shall actually be there and be reduced : and [will] draw bills for it on Mr. How. My Lord ordered that the Earl of Ranelagh do procure money on the tallies for 3091l. 15s. 9½d. on the Overplus of the Malt Duties remaining in his hands, allowing only the interest due since the striking of the tallies : and that the said Earl do apply the said money as follows viz.
		£	s.	d.
	to clear the subsistence of the Regiment of Foot commanded by Lieut. Gen. Churchill from 24 Oct. to 24 Dec. last	316	5	0
	to clear the officers to the same time	176	4	1¼
	to clear the Regiment late of Sir H. Belasyse now of Lord Portmore for the same time	492	7	11¼
	to clear the Invalids at Chester to 24 Dec. 1702 in part of 3000l. as above	1052	19	1
	towards clearing 3 other Companies of Invalids to the same time	1053	19	7¾
		3091	15	9½
	My Lord orders the issue of 694l. 14s. 11½d. to the Earl of Ranelagh, by tallies on the Overplus of the Malt Duties : to be applied as follows and to be as in part of 264,874l. 10s. 0d. for Guards and Garrisons for last year as by the Earl of Ranelagh's memorial of the 16th do. [inst.] viz. :
		£	s.	d.
	for offreckonings to the Regiment of Churchill to the 24th Dec. 1702	347	7	5¾
	to ditto for Lord Portmore's	347	7	5¾
	My Lord orders the issue to Mr. How of sums as follows :
	for subsistence of the Guards and Regiments in England from 19th March to 15th April 1703 inclusive	11536	13	4
	for 6 months' subsistence for the Independent Company at Bermuda ending 24 June next	332	2	0
	the above 2 sums to be as in part of 264,874l. 10s. 0d. for Guards and Garrisons, for the year 1703.
	for subsistence of Lucas's Regiment for 28 days ending 15 April next inclusive	737	18	4
	for Columbine's Regiment on account to be paid over to Lord Lucas for a detachment of 222 men at 3l. a man	666	0	0
	the above 2 sums as in part of 87,125l. 10s. 0d. [for Marines for the year 1703].
	My Lord ordered that 50,000l. be issued to Mr. Fox for the Forces in the Low Countries : to be remitted by Mr. Stephen Evance and partners at the exchange rate of 10 guilders 6½ stivers. This money is to be applied to the said Forces as my Lord Treasurer shall direct and Mr. Fox is to write to Mr. Swete forthwith to send an account of the clearings to 24 February last and, as soon as he can, an account of their clearings to April 24 next. Treasury Minute Book XIV, pp. 52-53.
March 16, afternoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : ut supra. The Excise Commissioners [are called in and] their papers are read [and my Lord's answers and minutes thereupon are endorsed thereon]. The Commissioners of Salt Duties [likewise attend and their papers are similarly considered and minuted]. My Lord directs that Mr. Johnson, Solicitor for Salt Duties, do produce ticquets according to [the Act of] 3 Jac (fn. 1) for the money he pays for counsellor's [counsel's] fees and for copies in court. [My Lord orders Walter] Saltonstall to be Comptroller [of Customs] at Yarmouth. Ibid., p. 53.
March 17, forenoon. Treasury Chambers. Cockpit.	Present : ut supra. Major General Erle et al are called in. My Lord ordered that 10,605l. 0s. 8d. be issued forthwith (upon a memorial signed by Mr. Pauncefoot) to the Earl of Ranelagh by tallies on the Overplus of the Malt Duties [the said tallies to be] payable with an interest of 5 per cent. : which tallies are to be applied to discharge the clearings (including offreckonings) to the 4 Regiments of Donegal, Charlemont, Erle and Hamilton to the 24th Oct. 1702 according to the establishment and muster rolls : and are to be in further part of the sum not exceeding 187,125l. for the year 1702. Ibid., p. 54.
Eodem die afternoon. at St. James's	Present : the Queen, Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer. Michael Studholme [is called in]. He is to renew his patent [for his office of Keeper of the Queen's Private Roads and Guide in all her Progresses, &c. which is to be] during pleasure. Thomas Hide and his wife [their petition is read]. The Queen doth not think fit to renew the pension. Theo. Garlick [his petition is read. The Queen decides to grant him] 27l. 7s. 6d. per an. vide infra. Walter Ralegh [his petition is read]. The Queen doth not think fit to continue the pension. Lady Martin [her petition is read. The Queen decides that she is] to have 20l. [as royal bounty] but not to come any more. Henry Killigrew [his petition is read. The Queen decides to] give him 50l. [The petition of the] foreigners, grooms to the late King [is considered but is] respited till the account of Monsieur Auverquere [as Master of the Horse to Wm. III] is passed. [The petition of] the inhabitants of Kensington [is read]. My Lord will speak with the bishop of London. Henry Lowman [his petition is read]. The Queen does not think fit to renew the warrant for the fields, for then he'll claim a right. Ditto [as to his petition for] 150l. a year addition. Her Majesty doth not think this reasonable ; but he must be contented with the 300l. a year [as Housekeeper of Kensington Palace]. The Earl of Sussex [his petition is read]. The Queen will pay 1200l. a year for interest. Lieut. George Grove [his petition is read. The Queen orders him] to have 30l. Mr. Hastings [his petition is read]. See whether he has not 200l. a year on the Establishment and whether it be paid. Mr. Rymer [his petition is read]. The Queen will be at the charge of printing his first volume [of the "Foedera"]. The Establishment for Chelsea [Hospital is considered]. Some articles are thought unnecessary or too much. My Lord Treasurer is to send for the Governors [and discourse them thereon]. [A memorial from the Works is read concerning the] works at St. James's. The Queen agrees to the 1000l. a month but would have the work done by the beginning of September. Peter [Parry] Walton [his petition is read. The Queen orders] his salary of 200l. a year to be continued from midsummer last but he is to repair and amend the [royal] pictures [for his said salary and] without any [further] bills. [Petitions are read respectively from] Milbourn Madox, Thomas Smith, Matthias Ascough, William Dolland, Leonard Blanchfeild, Lodowick Howard, Ralph Haggerston and Richard Letham setting forth that they had pensions of 2s. a day on the Earl of Ranelagh's Establishment [of the Forces in England] which [pensions] are in arrear ever since 31 March 1697. [The Queen decides she can pay] no arrears but they are to have 30l. a year in the Bounty list from midsummer last. The same for Garlick and Meautys. [The Queen considers the question of] fees out of the Maundy. Her Majesty says there should be nothing furnished but for the charity and no fees. James Fincher [his petition is read] praying the continuance of 80l. per an. out of the Duchy of Cornwall in lieu of part of the manor of Fordington. The report of the Surveyor General [of Crown Lands] is annexed. [The Queen directs the Lord Treasurer to] inquire into the circumstances of the petitioner. Alexander Englis [his petition is read. The Queen directs that] my Lord is to compound with him for so much as he [the Lord Treasurer] thinks reasonable for him to pay. Sir Alexander Bruce [his petition is read]. As to the account of Menis and Blair the Queen is disposed to gratify him. [The Queen considers the] account of plate standing out [and not yet returned into the Jewel Office by the ambassadors and others. Her Majesty decides that] where money is due to persons that have the Queen's plate it [the plate so improperly retained] is to go towards their payment and my Lord is to speak to the officers of the Jewel House to recover the rest. [The Queen considers] a paper relating to travelling charges [of servants &c. payable] in the Treasurer of the Chamber's Office. The Lord Chamberlain's paper is approved with the restrictions thereupon. Widow Hill [her petition is read. The Queen orders the Lord Treasurer to] enquire concerning her. Sir Salathiell Lovell [his petition is read] for a grant of the estate of Horton a clipper who has been executed. The Queen thinks it should go towards the charge of prosecutions of those offenders. Lady Oneile [her petition is read] praying the Queen's bounty. Not granted. Rebecca Chandos [her petition is read] praying the continuance of a pension of 200l. per an. granted to her father by Charles II. Not granted. Eliz. Rowe [by her petition which is read] prays a pension or some relief. [The Queen says that] my Lady Marlborough will give money to carry her to Scotland. Frances Salter, widow of Capt Salter who died in the service at Vigo [by her petition, which is read] prays the Queen's bounty. Not granted. Elizabeth Gellot [her petition is read] praying the remittal [remission] of a fine of 100l. which she is to pay for a lease of some lands in Lincolnshire. [The Queen decides that] the fine is to be reduced to 33l. 6s. 8d. The Duke of Schomberg [his petition is read shewing] that he has 4,000l. per an. out of the Post Office [as the equivalent] for 100,000l., which [annuity] the late King intended to augment to 5000l. per an. : that the same is to his heirs male and pays 4s. per £ taxes : prays a patent for 5000l. per an. to his heirs general and relief as to the tax it not being a pension but interest of a just debt due from the Crown, which in other cases do not pay [such tax]. The Queen [decides that she] cannot grant any other estate than what is limited by the first patent, nor can she exempt the pension from taxes ; but will add 1000l. a year as from Xmas last and during pleasure. Mr. Dockwra petitions for some allowance out of the Penny Post Office in consideration of his expense in settling the said Office. [The Queen decides that] he shall have an employment when any thing happens [to fall vacant, suitable or] proper for him. Eliz. Wandesford [her petition is read] praying to be restored to a pension of 200l. per an. in Ireland which she surrendered for a grant of some forfeited lands [which lands have been] resumed lately [to the Crown] by Act of Parliament. The Queen [says she] will give her 50l. [as royal bounty] and she is to be told that when the revenue of Ireland is in a better condition her Majesty will give her a pension there. Sir William Hayward [his petition is read shewing] that he was appointed one of the Trustees for sale of Fee Farm Rents at a salary of 300l. per an. of which [salary] he never received anything : therefore praying that he may have a grant of 120l. per an. out of such fee farm rents as he shall specify. [The Queen says] let him first make a specification thereof. Sara Matthews, widow of Brigadier Matthews, who died in her Majesty's service at Cadiz [her petition is read. The Queen is informed that] she is on the [Officers' widows'] Bounty List. Major Foubert [his petition is read] praying 500l. for a year to Xmas last on his allowance for keeping an Academy, and further praying the Queen's directions what he is to do with respect to the keeping up his Academy for the future. The Queen [decides that she] will continue the 250l. a year which he has and no more. Elizabeth Hayford [her petition is read] praying the continuance of a pension of 6s. a day which she had on the Earl of Ranelagh's Establishment [of the Forces England] which pension is much in arrear, she having no other support. [The Queen decides that there is] no fund for this [but that] she may be put on the Bounty List for some small matter. [The Queen reads the memorial concerning] Greenwich Hospital [and orders that] my Lord Treasurer is to enquire into their Establishment before the 2000l. a year commence again. [The Queen reads the petition of] Charles Shales goldsmith, praying payment of 9870l. 1s. 6d. for plate [and work] delivered into the Jewel Office within the year in which the late King died and which is now used in the Queen's own Household or Family or has been delivered by indenture out of the Jewel Office to several public services of the State and so [due] to be returned into the Jewel Office again for her Majesty's benefit unless she is pleased to remit the same. [The Queen orders that he is] to have a share out of arrears [of Civil List revenue accrued before the late King's death] and if any old plate can be recovered [by the Jewel Office from Ambassadors &c.] it may be applied towards his satisfaction. [The Queen reads the petition of the] officers of the Garter, [about their] being taxed to the Public Aids for their allowances [and her Majesty orders that same be paid] out of the revenue of that Order viz. 28l. to the 2s. Aid anno 1700 and 42l. for the 3s. Aid anno 1701. [The Queen reads the] Duchess of Cleveland's memorial [shewing] that Charles II granted by patent to Visct. Grandison and Sir Edward Villiers and their heirs in trust for said Duchess 4700l. per an. out of the Post Office to be payable quarterly ; that in the reign of James II she had a dormant warrant for the said annuity which she constantly received till the accession of the late King ; that she conceives her title to differ from all others, [she] having several Acts of Parliament for confirming it to her and provisos for payment thereof according to the said patent ; so that if any stop should be made it would be contrary to law and much to her prejudice, having paid all the taxes for her arrears to Lady day 1702. [The Queen orders that] she is to be paid. [The Queen reads the memorial in which the] Victualling Commissioners represent their constant service, small salaries and the great taxes upon themselves and their under officers and clerks and pray in regard thereof that the Queen will be graciously pleased to allow them so much as will pay the taxes charged on their respective salaries. The Queen thinks it unreasonable. The Queen orders 200l. to be paid to the Countess of Oxford for the funeral charges of the Earl of Oxford lately dead. Mr. Cornwallis [his petition is read]. Treasury Minute Book XIV, pp. 54-7.
March 19, forenoon. Treasury Chambers Cockpit.	Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ordered that out of the public moneys in the Exchequer not appropriated there be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh the sum of 1435l. 0s. 8d. for subsistence and sea pay to the Second Regiment of Guards due before Dec. 25 last and so much [as the said sum out] of the tallies on the Overplus of the Malt Duties is to be reserved for such uses as my Lord Treasurer shall appoint. Mr. Cornwallis is to have 100l. as a [grant out of royal] bounty. [The draft of] a letter [of direction for the issue] of 400l. to Henry Baker and 200l. to Mr. Borret on account [of Crown law suit charges] is read and approved. The like for a like letter for 893l. 1s. 3d. [to be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh] out of unappropriated public moneys to complete 3000l. for the Invalids grown due in the year ended at Xmas last. [Write] Lord Coningsby to be here on Monday morning. Ibid., p. 58.
March 22, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : ut supra. The Earl of Montagu came in and my Lord Treasurer resolves to pay forthwith what is due in the [Great] Wardrobe for the Queen's time [since her accession] and the payments which should have been made before the King's death [are to be discharged when and] as the arrears [of the said late King's Civil List revenue] come in [to the Exchequer]. [My Lord Treasurer orders the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy of] 10,000l. for the Ordinary of the Navy : to be issued out of the funds of this year. My Lord reads and approves the draft of a letter of direction for 11,211l. 5s. 7½d. [of Civil List payments] to be paid to Mr. Young et al as per the list therein. Likewise the letter for 16,157l. to the Foreign Ministers. [Entered in Disposition Book XVI p. 179 and 180, under this day's date]. My Lord reads a letter from Mr. Thomas Baker concerning 2 Turks who escaped last summer out of the Spanish galleys into Portugal in hopes of a speedy passage into Algiers and who are lately arrived here destitute of clothing and subsistence and representing that it will not be long before the Squadron departs for the Mediterranean and that twill be for her Majesty's honour and interest to allow them the small competency of 10s. a week each for lodging and diet and 20l. for their clothing ; and that Mr. Wyndham Cole, the Consul of Algiers' nephew, is the proper person to be entrusted therewith. [Hereupon my Lord] ordered that 20l. be paid for clothing the said 2 Turks and 10s. a week for each of their subsistence during their stay here ; to be paid out of secret service moneys from the 20th of March inst. to the hands of the said Windham Cole. Ibid., p. 59.
Eodem die afternoon.	Present : ut supra. Mr. Alexander Englis is called in. My Lord compounds with him in accordance with the report of the Postmasters [General]. [Send to] Mr. Blathwayt to be here this day fortnight about the accounts of the revenues in America ; and his reports are to be then brought in. Petitions and reports are read [and my Lord's resolutions are minuted and endorsed thereon]. [Send to] the officers of the Jewel Office to attend on Wednesday fortnight about the account of plate standing out [not returned into the Jewel Office]. Ibid.
March 23, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer. [My Lord orders that] 600l. out of the funds of this year is to be issued to the Treasurer of the Navy for the service of the Navy and to be put to the head of Wear and Tear : "but the letter to be general." My Lord reads and approves the draft of a letter for paying 300l. to Lord Peterborough for medicines. [My Lord orders the issue of] 100l. to the Works for Monsieur Verrio on account of [painting] the staircase [at Windsor Castle] "but direct Sir Christopher Wren to measure it and to report what it comes to." [Send] to Mr. Blathwait to be here to-morrow morning. Treasury Minute Book XIV, p. 60.
March 24, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : ut supra. Mr. How comes in. On his memorial [my Lord Treasurer] ordered [the issue of] 500l., out of this year's funds, on account of subsistence to the Officers of Gustavus Hamilton's Regiment from the 4th of March inst. The Regiment is now in the West Indies and is to be continued in English pay only till their return into Ireland : and this 500l. is in part of 87,125l. 10s. 0d. for the charge of Marines for this year. Likewise 693l. 17s. 4d. is to be issued to Robert Gardner, agent of Columbine's Regiment, on account of subsistence from 24 March inst. : the same being intended to enable the said Agent, according to his certificate of the 20th inst., to pay for the clothing and accoutrements of the detachment made from Lord Lucas's Regiment to that of Columbine. This is also part of the abovesaid 87,125l. 10s. 0d. Mr. Blaithwait will prepare a warrant to allow the respits to the Regiments of Churchill and Portmore for the 2 months ended 24 Dec. 1702 and of the 2 Companies sent from Hull in the beginning of that year ; and the respits of the Chaplain, Adjutant and Chirurgeon's mate : and my Lord Ranelagh is to satisfy that warrant. Ibid., p. 61.
1703. March 25, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present : the Lord Treasurer. [My Lord directs the issue to the Navy Treasurer of] 30,000l. on the head of wages ; to be for paying such ships as may come to the Nore ; as also [for] Bounty money. Mary Gare's petition is read praying arrears due to her father Thomas Mosman, late Yeoman of the Buckhounds, who had a title to 2s. a day and 20s. for a livery during his life, upon which there was about 65l. alleged to be in arrear at the time of his death in June 1690. My Lord ordered that 20l. be given to her in full of all pretensions and demands whatsoever relating to her said father's arrears and she is to execute an actual release to the Crown of the same. Ibid.