Minute Book: October 1674

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 4, 1672-1675. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1909.

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'Minute Book: October 1674', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 4, 1672-1675, (London, 1909) pp. 252-259. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol4/pp252-259 [accessed 21 April 2024]

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October 1674

Oct. 1. The Attorney General, Solicitor General and Mr. Courtney are discoursed [with by the Lord Treasurer] in the tin affair. My Lord orders the persons detected for stealing the tin seized for non coinage to be prosecuted and all other embezzlers. Mr. Courtney to attend with the heads of a letter to the Lord Warden [of the Stannaries].
[Ibid.]
Oct. 2. The Lord Treasurer orders the Prince [Rupert's] pension to be paid, and tallies to be struck accordingly.
The like for the Earl of Oxford.
[Ibid.]
Oct. 5. Lord Buckhurst and the Earl of Middlesex are to have a quarter each on their pensions.
"A warrant for Col. Rumsey's pension : blank."
A letter to Sir Ro. Howard to pay Mr. Slingsby 375l. upon an order of his of date 1673, Oct. 22.
A warrant for Mr. Waller, Lieutenant of the Ordnance, [for] one year of his fee [of] 66l. 13s. 4d. [per an.]
[Warrant for] a year for the Masters of Requests.
Sir Ed. Wood to have 915l. for six months of his [ordinary] entertainment.
Sir John Paul to have 546l. for six months of his [ordinary] entertainment.
"A letter [to be written] to Lord Odyke to pay Alderman Backwell's brother the proportion of Zealand 50,000 guilders."
The Lord Treasurer directs Sir John Holmes's 295l. [to be paid] out of the 59,000l. payable to Mr. Stevens [for the Navy Victuallers].
The Lord Treasurer directs the immediate payment of 1,500l. to the officers of the Works.
The Lord Treasurer directs 2,500l. for the Ordnance [to be paid] at present.
A letter to be written to Sir Ro. Howard to pay to Sir William Temple half a year's interest upon his two orders for 920l. and 1,120l. [respectively].
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 135-6.]
Oct. 6. The Lord Treasurer directs the Earl of Rochester to have a quarter on his pension of 1,000l. [per an.] and half a year of his 500l. [per an.]
[Warrant for] Mris. Fanshaw's 150l. [for] a quarter.
[Warrant for] half a year to the Duke of Albemarle on his pension as a Gentleman of the Bedchamber to bring him even with the rest.
Warrant for a quarter to the Yeomen of the Guard [viz.] 1,387l. 10s. 0d. [as in] part of Mr. Griffin's quarterly establishment for Michaelmas quarter.
The Lord Treasurer directs the payment of half a year of Madame Charlotte Paston's pension.
Mr. Skinner to have the first place that shall fall [vacant] of the six surveyors of the landwaiters or the two surveyors of the searchers [in London port]. The Lord Treasurer to be put in mind of it.
Sir William Godolphin's docquet to be presented.
The Countess of Brentford to have a warrant for half a year on her pension.
Lord Widdrington to have a year of his established pay as Governor of Berwick.
[Ibid. pp. 136-7.]
Oct. 9. The Lord Treasurer directs tallies to be struck for payment of 500l. for half a year due at Michaelmas last to the Duchess of Richmond.
Sir John Shaw to have half a year of each of his Custom House salaries.
Give the Lord Treasurer an account how the arrears stand up to Michaelmas last with the Collectors of the Hearthmoney.
Give the Lord Treasurer an account of Sir Charles Harbord's grant of Wymondham.
The Excise Commissioners are called in, Sir Stephen Fox and the Cofferer of the Household being present at the same time. The said Commissioners present to the Lord Treasurer a state of the pay of the Forces with their observations thereon. Capt. Kingdom observes that several stopped orders of Sir Steven Fox have been converted into tallies. The Commissioners observe that 27,000l. is doubly charged. Mr. Kent affirms the contrary. "The Lord Treasurer is of opinion that Sir Steven Fox may lend [borrow] at 7 per cent. (being enabled to do it by the King) when others cannot afford it at the same rate." The Excise Commissioners offer to provide 5,000l. per month till 80,000l. be paid for the use of the Forces [advancing the money] at 10 per cent. ; and to pay the tallies in course.
The Cofferer of the Household to speak with the Commissioners of the Excise to see how far they can comply with his demands.
Send to the Excise Commissioners the list of what [payments] the Lord Treasurer has placed upon that revenue.
Warrants to be prepared for these new quarters both for the Household and the Forces. The Household's establishment commences from Michaelmas, 1674, at 107,000l. [per an.]
A warrant [to the Surveyor General of Crown Lands] to rate a particular for the [intended grant to the] Pendrells.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 137-8.]
Oct. 10. The Lord Treasurer directs the payment of Sir Denny Ashburnham's order for 187l. 10s. 0d. of [date] the 19th of March, 1673-4.
Samuel Sheafe to be restored to his employment as a tidesman in London port, which he deserted when he went into His Majesty's sea service.
[Ibid. p. 138.]
Oct. 14. The Lord Treasurer directs a letter to be written to Sir Robt. Howard for payment of 24,000l. to the Treasurer of the Navy ; whereof 12,000l. is intended for two weeks of the allowance upon the late establishment, the other 12,000l. for paying off ships.
Capt. Harman to have 182l. 10s. 0d. [as] the year's pay of a captain of a third rate ship as His Majesty's bounty for his wounds, &c. : to be out of the 59,000l.
A list of payments [ordered by the Lord Treasurer] out of the Excise.
s. d.
To the Forces 200,000 0 0
" " Household 100,000 0 0
" " Stables and for horses 10,000 0 0
" " pensions 75,822 19 3
" " Tangier 30,000 0 0
" " Ordnance 30,000 0 0
" " management 10,000 0 0
" " secret service 10,000 0 0
465,822 19 3
[A list of payments similarly ordered by the Lord Treasurer out of the] Chimney money.
s. d.
To the Privy Purse 38,000 0 0 per an.
" " Office of the Works 12,000 0 0
" " Robes 5,000 0 0
To the Healing medals ([per an. payable] monthly) 1,200 0 0
" " dormant privy seals ([in all payable] monthly) 10,000 0 0
" " Secretaries of State (intelligence) 4,000 0 0
" " Jewel House
" " Post [office] defalcations
" interest of money to be borrowed 30,000 0 0
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, p. 139.]
Oct. 16. To put the Lord Treasurer in mind of placing the arrears of the Master of the Robes on the Excise : which [said arrear] is 5,500l.
A report to be drawn upon Sir John Robinson's petition concerning Farming wood, &c., same having been referred to the Lord Treasurer by His Majesty : also another report, on the like reference, to be drawn on his petition for payment of his orders.
A letter to be written to Lord Widdrington [to the effect] that the Lord Treasurer has examined the matter in Lord Widdrington's letter concerning the sub-commissioners and Collectors of the Excise, and that Mr. Parsons (who was the late Farmer of Excise of that county) will take care to redress all complaints made against his officers.
Put the Lord Treasurer in mind about the allowance Sir John Shaw craves for the collection of the Coinage duty and [for] passing that accompt.
The Lord Treasurer directs a warrant for half a year's salary to Sir John Shaw upon both his patents, viz. as Collector Inwards [London port] and as Surveyor of the Act of Navigation.
The Lord Treasurer directs 2,000l. to the Ordnance upon the Customs : to complete the 7,500l. for Michaelmas quarter to the Ordnance.
When Mr. Pepys attends the Lord Treasurer [take care] to lay before his Lordship the letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty on behalf of the pursers and captains ; and to put his Lordship in mind of the increase of the Navy charge beyond the establishment.
Lady Sayers to have 100l. [being] the [unpaid] remainder of a warrant for 200l.
Mr. Jones, the [King's] apothecary, [is ordered by my Lord] to have one year's salary.
The Earl of Carlisle to have half a year of his pension of 1,000l. per an. upon Coals, &c.
The Lord Treasurer to be put in mind to speak with Sir Stephen Fox about Lord Vaughan's business of Jamaica.
A report to be made upon Mr. Brerewood's petition ; on the order of reference of same [from the King to the Lord Treasurer].
[Ibid. pp. 140-1.]
Oct. 17. The Lord Treasurer directs the Bishop of Sarum's warrant [as Chancellor of the Garter] to be drawn for half a year for the Poor Knights of Windsor.
[Ibid. p. 141.]
Oct. 19. The Lord Treasurer directs Mr. Brisban's order of 250l. to be paid [being the unpaid] remainder of [his order for] 400l.
Mr. Thornton's warrant [is ordered] for 28l. as Clerk of the Robes
[Warrant for] the Duke of Buckingham for a quarter on his pension [as a Gentleman of the Bedchamber].
[Warrant for] Sir Fr. Windham's lady for half a year on her pension of 400l. per an.
Sir Edward Dering to have one year of his pension.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, p. 141.]
Oct. 21. The Lord Treasurer directs the Lord Privy Seal to have half a year of his diet money.
[Warrant for] Lord Crofts [for] 250l. [for] a quarter.
[Warrant for] Lady Falmouth [for] a quarter : 250l.
[Ibid.]
Oct. 21. Wednesday. The Lord Treasurer will hear the Cashiers of the Excise and Sir Stephen Fox on Friday morning next.
Lord Belasyse and Sir H. Cholmely [to be heard] upon this day week.
On Wednesdays, in the morning, the Lord Treasurer will, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, sit upon accounts [with a view to the declaration and passing of same].
Write Mr. Breedon to attend the Lord Treasurer about the arrears of the farm of the London Excise.
The petition of several sub-collectors of the Royal Aid is read about a distress made at Hammersmith. Ordered that Thomas Bromly and Edward Weedon be sent for to attend the Lord Treasurer this day week.
The Lord Treasurer orders payment of the 63l. due upon warrant to the Provost and Fellows of Eton on their perpetuity.
One year's interest to be paid upon Mr. Gawen's orders of 1670-1, Mar. 14, for 1,000l.
The tally for the last quarter, amounting to 13,875l., for [the garrison of] Tangier, [and which had been] struck upon the Customs is to be paid forthwith.
[Ordered] "To have warrants for tallies upon the Excise in course as [desired by] Sir S. Fox and the Cofferer."
[Ordered] that the pursers be paid in the course [in which] they stand on the list and the pensioners [to be paid] quarterly, as salaries are.
[Ibid. pp. 141-2.]
Oct. 22. The Lord Treasurer directs the payment of the 1,508l. remaining due to Sir Joseph Williamson and Sir Leolin Jenkins, upon their extraordinaries.
Mr. Twitty's 240l. [is ordered] to be paid as Sir Robert [Howard] proposed.
La[dy] Sanderson to be paid a quarter.
Healing medals [warrant for] 300l. Mr. Knight, the Serjeant Surgeon, to be spoken with.
A warrant to the Surveyor [of the Works] to examine Mr. Doughty's account for building in the Mews.
A warrant for the Earl of Clare's creation money.
[Ibid. p. 142.]
Oct. 23.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Alderman Forth called in. The Lord Treasurer to be put in mind to direct a letter to be written to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland about the Irish [revenue] farm.
The Lord Treasurer to move the King in Council this afternoon about Lord Vaughan's privy seal.
Mr. Thruppe to wait on the Chancellor of the Exchequer with his petition.
Draw warrants for the Earl of Nottingham for a quarter on each pension : [to be drawn] on the Customs.
Mr. Shales to give a speedy account of the money imprested upon account of the prizes.
The Excise Commissioners and Sir Stephen Fox are to attend at the Treasury Chamber on Monday morning.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, p. 143.]
Oct. 26. "Mr. Secretary" to speak with Sir Stephen Fox about the petition of Col. Pretty and others.
A state of the Duke of Richmond's account is to be given to the Lord Treasurer on Wednesday when said Lord Treasurer goes to [the Privy] Council.
Lord Hatton to have 250l. [for a] quarter of a year.
Viscount Ranelagh : warrant for 750l. for half a year : [to be charged] upon the Excise.
The Lord Chamberlain to have 500l. [for] one quarter due at Midsummer.
The Navy : [warrant for] two weeks' allowance.
The Earl of Bath to be paid a quarter on his pensions.
A letter for Mr. Newport and Mr. Darcy for a quarter on their salary.
[Ibid.]
Oct. 26.
[? Afterncon.]
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Chief Baron, Baron Turner, Baron Thurland and Baron Littleton.
Upon a complaint made by Mr. Vere Bertie (Master of the Remembrancer's office) against the eight sworn clerks in his office both parties are called in. The Remembrancer thinking it requisite to make some regulation in the office made 16 rules, to some of which the clerks agreed and refused to submit to the others, upon which a hearing is appointed before the Lord Treasurer. Mr. Serjeant Maynard opens the case and says the clerks are the Remembrancer's servants and that great abuses have been practised by them ; upon which several orders were lately made to redress such inconveniencies ; which they positively refused to obey. He further observes that the said clerks are servants and no officers [being] sworn by the Remembrancer [himself] and not [by] the [Barons of the Exchequer] Court ; that the Remembrancer is responsible for the clerks' actions ; and therefore Mr. Bertie ought to have the government of the office in point of damage to the King, in point of damage to the subject and in point of security to himself.
Mr. Sawyer, counsel for the clerks, says there has been time out of mind certain sworn clerks in the offices of Westminster Hall independent of the respective Masters : he affirms that these eight clerks have a right of freehold, instances in several offices as the Clerk of the Pipe, the Treasurer's Remembrancer, &c. He further observes that the Masters have never made any orders but [that such orders have been made by the Exchequer] Court ; and [the Master] has no power to abridge the interest of any of these eight clerks. They are clerici domini Regis in officio Rememoratoris and the Master is only the chief clerk. The clerks approve the choice of the Master in introducing any new ones. They have distinct fees from the Crown and the custody of the records and have a constant form of oath that is administered. Without the Master they may take recognizance before the Barons. They are altogether entrusted with the subject's business. He says the new rules intrench upon the right of the subject. He concludes that the right of making rules is only in the Court of Exchequer.
Serjeant Mainard says unless these rules be established the King will be abused.
The Solicitor General says the Court has a superintendent power over the Remembrancer. The clerks were formerly the immediate servants of the Remembrancer. The greater part of these new orders is allowed by the clerks themselves.
Mr. King says the Clerks are sworn to the Court but not to the Remembrancer. When an oath is given in court 'tis said praestitit sacramentum and so one of the clerks puts his hand to it. The clerks, together with the Master, have usually prepared the orders.
The Solicitor General instances in a book of orders made by the Master in the Queen [Elizabeth's] time.
Mr. Serjeant Mainard says that 'tis said all records are to be in custodia Rememoratoris and not of the clerks.
The whole business is [by the Lord Treasurer] referred to the Barons [of the Exchequer Court] to determine.
On Friday morning to pass Viscount Yarmouth's accompts of the wood farm.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 143-6.]
Oct. 27. Sir John Heath's warrant to be executed. (In the margin. Done.)
Sir Allan Apsly's order of 800l. [is ordered] to be paid by 200l. per week. (In the margin. Done : meaning only, letter written to the Exchequer to that effect.)
[Ibid. p. 146.]
Oct. 30.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The Lord Treasurer to speak to the King this afternoon for 100l. to Col. Moldesworth.
Sir John Clayton and Mr. Brewer called in upon [the subject of] Viscount Yarmouth's defalcations [on his wood farm]. A half year from Michaelmas to Lady Day not included in the last accompt : [there is] 1,535l. 3s. 4d. made less by Viscount Yarmouth of the King's rent and a defalcation thereof desired. This to be represented to the King and His Majesty's pleasure to be known in it.
The King to be moved in [the matter of] Secretary Coventry's [money] orders.
The King to be moved in [the matter of] Oakes' debt for whom Sir William Roberts and Mr. Waring are sureties.
The Excise Commissioners are called in. The Lord Treasurer takes notice of a particular clause of their letter to him [to the effect] that Sir Stephen Fox has [had] assigned [to him] by the Lord Treasurer a great deal more than is necessary for the carrying on the service of the Forces for the present year. Sir Stephen answers that some of this money has been applied to the service of other years. Mr. Kingdom says that the 230,000l. is either part of what was imprested to Sir Stephen Fox or not : he says that this was by tallies in 1673. Sir Stephen Fox coming in says that he never had any assignments confined [strictly appropriated] to the establishment of the [particular] years ; that he had a liberty to make use of stopped orders. As for the interest of 7,000l. applied to [the years] 1670 and 1671, he answers it is upon a declared accompt [which before declaration had been, in the regular course,] referred to an Auditor.
The Lord Treasurer moves for the payment of the [current] cash of the Excise into the Exchequer. Sir Stephen Fox seems to comply with the Lord Treasurer for that part which relates to the Forces provided it might come as cheap [i.e. that no Exchequer fees should be charged on the issues out again of any part of such moneys] and the despatch might be as quick. Sir Robert Howard affirms that he hath not taken one farthing [in the way of Exchequer fees] for the [? Eighteen Months'] tax and that despatches have been quicker given [in the Exchequer] than in other places. The Lord Treasurer refers the whole business to the further consideration of Sir Robert Howard, Mr. Bertie, Sir Cha. Harbord, Sir Phill. Floyd and Mr. Sherwin.
Mr. William Legge's petition is referred to Sir C. Harbord.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 147-8.]
Oct. 31. The Lord Treasurer directs a year [to be paid] to Sir Charles Windham. A warrant [to be made] for a quarter, and a letter [to be sent to the Receipt for tallies to be levied] for three quarters [thereof]. In the margin : Done.
[Warrant for] 200l. to Capt. Mansell. In the margin : Done.
[Warrant for] a year to Sir Timothy Turner. In the margin : Done.
[Warrant for] half a year to Dr. Troutbeck. In the margin : Done.
Sir Gilbert Talbot's warrant to be executed. In the margin : Done.
Speak with the Cofferer of the Household about [paying] the chapel [Royal] music [boys].
[Warrant for] half a year to Viscount Brouncker. In the margin : Done.
[Letter of direction for] Sir Peter Wyche for 164l. as the [unpaid] remainder of an order for 364l. In the margin : Done.
Sir George Downing to be sent for.
A warrant for 1,000l. per an. out of the Exchequer, during pleasure, to the Duchess of Richmond.
Col. Kingwell to have 200l. In the margin : Done.
A reference to be made to Mr. Banks [? of the business or petition of Mr.] Gregory.
[Ibid. p. 148.]