Volume 57: October 15-November 30, 1698

Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 2, 1697-1702. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1871.

'Volume 57: October 15-November 30, 1698', in Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 2, 1697-1702, (London, 1871) pp. 227-248. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-papers/vol2/pp227-248 [accessed 26 April 2024]

October 15–November 30, 1698



1698. [? About Oct. 15.]	1. Petition of the officers and clerks of the Talley Court, in the receipt of the Exchequer, to the Lords of the Treasury: 5,996 tallies had been struck from Easter to Michaelmas 1698, on which they were formerly allowed 599l. 12s.; they pray that they might receive the same as previously. Also the certificate of Chr. Montague, Esq., in corroboration. Dated 15 Oct. 1698. 2 pages.
Oct. 17.	2. Letter signed R. Yard, by direction of the Lords Justices, desiring that the Lords of the Treasury would give instructions that the present to be made to the new Dey of Algiers should be delivered to Mr. Wyndham Cole, who had brought a letter from the Dey with his ratification of the peace, and was then returning with a letter from the King. Also directing 50l. to be paid him. Dated 17 Oct. 1698. Minuted:—“A warr^t to be signed by y^e Lords Justices for ye 50l., and order ye present to be đd accordingly.” 1 page (quarto).
Oct. 18/28.	3. Letter of Mr. Wm. Blathwayt to Mr. Lowndes. The King's pleasure was that the establishment be not sent into Ireland until further order; the Lords Justices there, having desired that it might not be sent until after the Session of Parliament there. Dated Loo, 18/28 Oct. 1698. Minuted:—“Rec^d 25 Oct. '98. M^r Clark says the establishm^t was sent to Ireland a week ago.” 1 page (quarto).
Oct. 18.	4. Letter of the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, transmitting the memorial of certain clothiers who had prepared clothing for some of the regiments of foot, lately disbanded there, whose off-reckonings were not sufficient to answer the payments for the said clothing. Dated 18 Oct. 1698. (Two enclosures.) 3 pages.
Oct. 18/28.	5. Letter of Mr. Wm. Blathwayt to Mr. Lowndes, communicating His Majesty's instructions to stay process against Col. How, one of the grooms of the bedchamber; which was issued against him for taxes on his salary, until his return to England, he being in attendance on the King. Dated Loo, 18/28 Oct. 1698. 1 page (quarto).
Oct. 19.	6. Report of the Com^rs of Revenue of Ireland, on the petition of Dame Frances O'Neile, and of Rose, Mary, Elizabeth, and Anne her daughters, widow and orphans of Sir Neile O'Neile, Bart., deceased, praying a lease of Sir Neile's estate for 41 years; certifying that the lady Frances had judgment for 400l. per ann. with the arrears, and the estate of Sir Neile was liable to 2,500l. for portions to her daughters; the gross yearly value of the estate was 1,100l., &c. The inquisitions which had been taken entailed considerable expense, and the expense on this estate was computed at 100l. Dated 19 Oct. 1698. Minuted:—“21^st Nov. '98. To be laid before y^e King.” Again:—“Granted according to the report.” Also the petition. 2½ pages.
Oct. 20.	7. Memorial of the Trustees for circulating Exchequer bills, to the Lords of the Treasury. They had considered how a loan of 60,000l. might be obtained as a quick stock for circulating Exchequer bills in the room of 59,898l. 1s. 6¾d., part of 100,000l. formerly deposited in the hands of the Trustees by the Treasurer of the Navy and Paymaster of the Army; they offer a proposal to their Lordships' consideration, upon which, if it were accepted, they would advance the loan among themselves. Dated 20 Oct. 1698. The proposal with eight signatures;—they required 6 per cent. and a gratuity of 2 per cent. within ten days after the 59,898l. 1s. 6¾d. should be repaid to the Navy and Army. Minuted:—“Read 27 Oct. '98. Read again, 28^th, Trustees present. My Lords conclude with them at 6 per cent. per annum., with an allowance of 1 per cent. for their care & paines in this service.” This minute is also in the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 5, 28 Oct. 1698. 2 pages.
Oct. 20.	8. Letter of the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, acknowledging the reception of His Majesty's new establishment, but it was not their intention to take notice of it during the sessions of Parliament, for the reasons stated in their letter of the 3rd instant; and further commenting on the reception of full-pay monthly, by the forces. Dated 20 Oct. 1698. 1½ pages.
Oct. 21 and 22.	9. Letter of Lord Bellomont, unaddressed, but commencing “My Lords.” On the 6th, Capt. Schuyler returned from Canada and brought him a letter from the Governor, a copy of which he now sent (No. 1), together with the captain's journal of his voyage (No. 2) and the minute of council taken at his arrival at New York (No. 3), by which they would see the French had given over their design of invading the Indians for the present; he sent the copy of information of Col. Cortlandt, one of the Com^rs of Revenue there, against the goods of Van Sweeten, merchant, seized by his (the writer's) order, and Mr. Van Sweeten's confession of judgment thereon, which was further evidence of the ship “Fortune” being a foreign bottom (No. 4). Also the bill of appraisement (No. 5). Further the depositions of Mr. Ludlow, a merchant there, of 2,500l. worth of East India goods brought to him to conceal (No. 6). They would see Mr. Wilson, the sheriff, was concerned in it. [See a previous paper at p. 214]. Brooks, the late collector, boarded with him, and he (the writer) was certain was privy to the concealment. He sent a certificate of the surveyor-general, of several most extravagant grants of land by Col. Fletcher (No. 7). Lieut. Hunt, who would sail from Boston in the “Deptford,” man-of-war, would deliver to their Lordships a new map of the province (too bulky to make up in this packet), made by the surveyor, the exactest yet made, in which were described the large tracts granted, with the grantees' names. The whole province was given to about 30 persons, to the great prejudice of the Crown; because this, the most considerable province, could never be well peopled; for men would not care to become base tenants to proprietors of lands in this province, when they could buy the fee simple of lands in the Jerseys for 5l. per 100 acres, and as cheaply in Pennsylvania. Col. Fletcher (though not empowered) took money for all the grants, except that of the Mohacks' land. If he had reserved a reasonable quit rent to the Crown he would have been less to blame; but the rents reserved were trifling. He hoped their Lordships would find a way of voiding these extravagant grants and limiting all Governors to a certain number of acres, and oblige them to reserve a half crown on every 100 acres to the Crown, and that they would restrain them from selling. He should think 1,000 acres sufficient to grant to any one, for the clearing the land from wood cost 4l. 10s. per acre all the country over, so that 1,000 acres would require a good purse, the country being all under great woods. And yet Mr. Dellius, the minister at Albany, besides his share of the Mohacks' land, had another grant of 700,000 acres. The gentlemen he suspended from the council were confident of being restored. In the depositions about Mr. Pinhorn two material circumstances were omitted, one was that he spoke scandalous words against the King, similar to the cant of the Jacobites in England. He looked very guilty, and what confirmed his guilt was that he entertained one Smith, a Jesuit, in his house. Mr. Nicholls, since his suspension for being a broker between Col. Fletcher and some pirates, continued to correspond with them. He (the writer) sent John Williamson's depositions, which mention scurrilous words spoken against him (the writer) by the man and woman of the house. Nicolls had been a most restless incendiary against him. He sent also another deposition of Williamson concerning pirates' money; the most remarkable thing in it was Col. Willet's great care to conceal the money from him. Jones, formerly a pirate, endeavoured to clear Col. Willet; but he could not credit his evidence. Benjamin Thurston's deposition greatly confirms the evidence of Williamson. These and other depositions were bound together. (No. 8). The 28th of last month he suspended Colonels Bayard, Minvielle, Willet, Townley, and Mr. Lawrence from the council, finding it absolutely necessary; they always complied with Col. Fletcher, but were always “resty” and perverse in everything the writer proposed. By his instructions he had to give his reasons for suspending every counsellor, and he sent his reasons (No. 9) against Col. Bayard, who had not yet sent an answer. The same reasons applied to the others as to Col. Bayard and to Brooks, Nichols, and Pinhorn. Besides those reasons, these gentlemen dissented when he proposed that the merchants should give bonds, when they sent four ships to Madagascar, not to trade with pirates, and that had made him sick of such counsellors. The four persons he had appointed of the council to make up the seven were Col. Abraham Depeyster, Mr. Robert Livingston, Doctor Samuel Stoats, and Mr. Robert Walters, men of good estates and reputation. The Government were under no small obligation to Mr. Livingston, for were it not for him the companies would have deserted long since, as there were 2,500l. due for their subsistence, he having undertaken to victual them, purely to serve the government; there were then almost 4,000l. due. He begged their Lordships to interpose with the paymaster-general thereon. These four companies were on the same establishment as those in England, therefore he wondered how they were so neglected. He desired the four gentlemen named might have the King's letter of confirmation. Mr. Weaver, the agent, would pay the fees. Mr. Phillips resigned his counsellor's place from age, and Mr. Lawrence was superannuated, being 82 years of age. He also displaced the same day Mr. David Jamison from being clerk of the council and deputy secretary; he was a Scotchman, and condemned to be hanged in Scotland for blasphemy and burning the Bible; but was transported to this province “and sold a servant;” he was a professed atheist and had two wives. He was first in Col. Fletcher's confidence and favour, and he commended him to everybody as the honestest man he ever knew; he had enriched himself by extortion and other works of darkness, but chiefly in the grants of land sold by Col. Fletcher by brokage. The writer would have dismissed him sooner, but Mr. Clement, who was to have come over as his secretary, disappointed him dirtily, so that he was unprovided with a secretary, and found so general a corruption that he knew not whom to trust. There was so much disaffection to the Government that he reresolved to appoint Com^rs to go all over the province and tender the oaths to his Majesty, the Test, and Association, to all people, by which means he should discriminate the professed Jacobites, of whom it was said the number was not small. Some of the people of the town were so enraged against him, because they were under the notion that Mr. Weaver was his friend, he having made him counsel for the King on two occasions. Wilson brought an action against Mr. Weaver for saying that Wilson was forsworn, for making the return of members to serve in the last assembly, and the jury gave 500l. damages; but there were such pregnant reasons in arrest of judgment that it was believed there was an end of the suit. Another reason of their prejudice to Mr. Weaver was (as the writer conceived) several of the merchants endeavoured to bribe Mr. Weaver, and the writer by him; but he rejected their offers with indignation and honour. About three weeks since the relations of Mr. Leisler and Mr. Milburn desired leave to take up the bodies that had been buried near the gallows, and give them Christian burial in the Dutch church there, to which the writer consented, chiefly out of respect to the Act reversing the attainder of those two men, which Act legitimated Capt. Leisler's assuming the government of this province, and put a censure on the illegality of his execution. He enclosed the Act (No. 10). There was a third motive,—Col. Fletcher had refused to restore their heirs, according to the Act, to their estates. He (the writer) had been told that the rage of some of that party had transported them to burn the Act, vilifying it as an Act surreptitiously obtained in the Parliament of England. He, who valued no Englishman who was not a hearty lover of English laws, thought it proper to assert the Act, which had been treated with infamy. His design was chiefly to give the people a just idea of the English laws, that they have the stamp of the highest authority of the King and nation of England, and ought to be respected as sacred. There was great opposition made to the burying of these two men by the contrary party, &c. It was said 1,200 people attended the funeral, and there would have been more, but a “rank storm” blew for two or three days and hindered the people from crossing the rivers. Dated New York, 21 Oct. 1698. P.S.—His Lieut.-governor, Capt. Nanfan, was newly arrived from Albany; he had had a conference with several Sachems of the five nations of Indians, to dissuade them from going to Canada to exchange prisoners with the French. The writer sent the captain's narrative of that conference (No. 11). He (the writer) distinguished the proofs now sent for suspending Col. Bayard from those formerly sent in a list (No. 9). He could not send the state of the revenue and accounts, but would send by the “Deptford,” which would go to Boston in ten days. Dated 22 Oct. 1698. Printed in Documents relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, Vol. IV., p. 397. Accompanied by a list of the papers referred to, but the papers are now missing. [They are, however, for the most part to be found in the collection of papers of the Board of Trade and Plantations, Vol. V., pp. 15 et seq.] 9 pages.
Oct. 21.	10. Letter of R. Yard to the Lords of the Treasury. The Lords Justices had been informed by the consul at Algiers that that government expected ships belonging to the King's subjects to be furnished with passes, according to the articles of peace; requiring the Com^rs of Customs to give notice thereof in all the ports. Dated 21 Oct. 1698. 1 page (quarto).
Oct. 22.	11. Presentment of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, transmitting a list showing the appraisements of goods seized, from which the King's share would be less by a condemnation than by a just entry and payment of the duties; seeking that the King's Council might advise with the Barons of the Exchequer or that measures might be taken that the seizer might not have opportunity to run the public revenue into his own pocket by a collusion with the merchant. Dated 22 Oct. 1698. The list and copy of their presentment of 16 May 1698 on the same subject. Minuted:—“Read 26 Oct. '98. Direct the Com^rs to advise with the Kind's Counsel. Their Lo^ps canot advise w^th the Barons in a matter that may come in judgment before them.” 5 pages.
Oct. 24.	12. Copy of a letter unsigned [but from Lord Bellomont], to the Lords of the Council of Trade and Plantations, on the state of the frontiers and fortifications of the province of New York. Col. Fletcher valued himself very much for defending the frontiers, but it was a happy thing they were not attacked; the Governor of Canada could hardly have known the weak condition of the garrisons; if the last winter had not been the severest ever known, the French would certainly have destroyed Albany and Schennechtady. They were prepared at Montreal with 1,500 pair of raquettes or snow shoes, 140 small boats, and 250 canoes; but the snow being deeper than the height of a man, they dare not venture. Albany and Schennechtady were equally defenceless, having only a single row of stockades, and no ditch or wall, so that an enemy might come with their musquets and single out what men they pleased. The stockades had wide spaces between them, and were even with the ground. If the French had attacked Albany, they could not have failed taking it, &c. The five nations of Indians would then have revolted. Their Lordships would see by the two addresses from Albany and Schennechtady, printed with the conferences, sent by the “Fowy” frigate, that they earnestly desired good defensible forts built. Col. Romer had viewed those places particularly, and estimated that two stone forts with barracks would cost 9,000l.; he would go over in the “Deptford” from Boston, and would have waited on their Lordships with the plans, had he not been recalled by the board of ordnance. Where the 9,000l. was to come from he (the writer) could not imagine. The assembly would not be brought to continue the present revenue to build those forts: besides this town and county were rich, and so were the inhabitants of Long Island, alias Nassau Island, because of their lying convenient for trade; but all the inland parts of the province were poor. In his next letter on the revenue and accounts, he should propose a fund to build these forts, and hoped their Lordships would obtain the King's order, that they might be begun the next spring, and he desired Col. Romer might be sent over again, for he had a great opinion of his honesty, and he (the writer) would use his best endeavour that neither he, nor anybody else, should make a hand of building those forts; 'twas wonderful to him why the Col. was recalled when he had been there but six months. If those forts were built and well garrisoned, the French could never make any impression on the province, and it would secure the obedience of the five nations of Indians; for they were as sensible of our weakness as we were. There were formerly two or three little forts, more advanced towards Canada than Albany and Schennechtady, but in his opinion they were superfluous; those two places would be enough. They were both well seated for frontier places, Albany for covering all the province from attacks on Canada side, and Schennechtady for doing that in part, and also for covering the Mohaks and the rest of the Indians. There is a postscript which explains that when there was a war the Halfmoon and Canastagione were esteemed very necessary to be fortified. Dated New York, 24 Oct. 1698. Printed among Documents relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, Vol. IV., p. 409. [The original of this (apparently), is also unsigned. See the collection of papers of the Board of Trade and Plantations, Vol. V., p. 87.] 1½ pages.
Aug. 23 to Oct. 24.	13. Papers relating to the seizure of certain prize goods on board the ship the “St. Peter,” in which Mr. Underdown, Mr. Bovett, a solicitor, and one Richard Bayly, a ship's carpenter, were concerned. One of the papers relates to embezzlements on board the “Anglesey.” Dated between 23 Aug. and 24 Oct. 1698. 7 pages and 2 parts of pages.
Oct. 24.	14. An estimate of the debt of His Majesty's Navy, on the heads under-mentioned, as it stood on the 30th September last. Dated 24 Oct. 1698. The heads are:—Wear and Tear, Seamen's Wages, Victualling, Sick and Wounded, and Register Office. The total was 2,368,037l. 1¼ pages.
Oct. 25.	15. Report of Mr. Thomas Trevor, Attorney-General, addressed to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Francis Geary, Esq., praying commissions of inquiry might issue for finding the King's title to certain derelict lands in the counties of Somerset and Devon, amounting (as alleged) to some thousands of acres; recommending that the petitioner should discover in whose possession the lands are. Dated 25 Oct. 1698. The petition and five other enclosures. Minuted:—“My Lds. agree w^th ye Att.-Gen^ll rep^t.” 3 pages and 5 halves.
Oct. 25.	16. Memorial from the Com^rs of Excise to the Lords of the Treasury, on behalf of Richard Scott, one of the General Surveyors of Excise, who, together with John Michell, supervisor of Excise, had apprehended Thomas Johnson and others, who had circulated certain counterfeit Exchequer bills, for which the said Johnson was executed; recommending them to their Lordships' favour. Dated 25 Oct. 1698. Minuted:—“Scott to have fifty pounds, Mitchel twenty pounds. A warr^t or letters pa^t dorm^t.” 1 page.
Oct. 25.	17. Report of the same to the same, on the petition of Sir George Meggott and his partners, who had lost by fire 60 barrels and three firkins of strong beer, on which they had paid the duties of excise; in favour of the petitioners. Dated 25 Oct. 1698. (Two enclosures.) Minuted:—“Allowed.” 3 pages.
Oct. 25.	18. “Comm^rs of Excise 2^d presentm^t to the Treasury, about vinegar and vinegar beer:” asking their Lordships' directions how the duties should be charged for the future. Dated 25 Oct. 1698. (One enclosure.) Minuted:—“This day senight.” In the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 9, 1 Nov. 1698, is:—“The report concerning the dutys on vinegar beer & vinegar is read.” 2¼ pages.
Oct. 25.	19. Letter from Mr. Wm. Blathwayt to Mr. Lowndes, sending a warrant for a grant to Japhet Crook, of Sir John Friend's share in the Phœnix Brewhouse. Dated Loo, 4 Nov. 1698, N.S. 1 page (quarto).
[About Oct. 25.]	20. Petition of John Blake, agent to the garrison of Plymouth, to the Lords of the Treasury. He supplied Peter Ceely, late Fort Major there, in his great necessities, with 40l., and engaged for 40l. more: seeks for payment thereof. Minuted:—“Rec^d 25^th Oct. '98. Read 26^th do. My Lords can do nothing in this.” Enclosing a brief memorandum entitled :—“Major Pet^r Ceely, late Fort Major of Plymouth, his pretensions stated.” [He claims 275l. 4s.] 1½ pages.
[? About Oct. 26.]	21. Memorial of the agents for bringing in taxes, &c., to the Lords of the Treasury, as to what was due to them; accompanied by:— A bill of incidents laid out and expended in the office of the agents for bringing in taxes, &c. from the 25th of March 1698 to the 29th of September 1698. Minuted:—“Read 26 Oct. '98. A warrant for this, and to be paid out of seizures.” 2½ pages.
Oct. 26.	22. Letter from the Com^rs of the Navy to Mr. Lowndes, docquetted:—“From Navy Office, relating to a bill of 350^li drawn on the victuall^rs.” Dated 26 Oct. '98. The second Minute is:—“3 Jan. '98. Com^rs of Navy say this was in ye 1^st year of ye warr. A transport service, and transferrd by ye K. ord^r with all other things of this nature to ye Transport office, who will pay it if money be furnished.” 1 page.
[? About Oct. 26.]	23. Petition of Catherine Clench, mother of Bruen Clench, who lost his eyes on board one of the King's ships, and was allowed 40l. a year; praying payment of the arrears to the time of his death, viz., from Midsummer 1695 to 19 Nov. 1696. Also a certificate of his burial. Dated 21 Sept. 1698. In the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 3, 26 Oct. 1698, is:—“50^li to be p^d to the widd. Clench, in full of all arrears of her son's pension, & the pension to cease.” Parts of 2 pages.
Oct. 27.	24. Letter from Lord Bellomont [Governor of the province of New York], to the Lords of the Treasury. He had directed Mr. Weaver, the agent for that province, to wait on their Lordships with some papers relating thereto. He was forced to write all the drafts of his letters himself as Mr. Clements disappointed him just at his leaving London, and was forced to make a general letter of affairs under his administration serve for their Lordships and the rest of the ministers. He hoped their Lordships would find means to vacate the grants of land in Col. Fletcher's time, to prevent the ruin of the province, and that they would restrict all Governors from granting above 1,000 acres, and to reserve a quit rent of half a crown on every hundred acres, and forbid the sale of any lands on pain of loss of employment. He had made a full representation on these matters, which Mr. Weaver was to communicate. Next week he would send a state of the revenue, &c. Dated New York, 27 Oct. '98. Minuted:—“Read 23 Xbr. '98.” 2 pages (quarto).
Oct. 27.	25. An account of salaries due to the Trustees for exchanging Exchequer bills, and their officers, &c. for one quarter of a year, commencing the 28th of July 1698 and ending the 27th of October following. 1 page.
Oct. 27.	26. Letter from Mr. William Popple to William Lowndes, Esq., sending, by command of the Council of Trade, a copy of a representation and instruction which they had prepared to be laid before the Lords Justices in Council, desiring him to lay the same before the Lords of the Treasury. He was commanded to add concerning the remaining part of the extract (which related to irregular trade to and from the plantations by way of Newfoundland), that they would be mindful to make use of it, as they found most for the King's service. Dated 27 Oct. 1698. Accompanied by the “representation” mentioned, and the reply of the Lords Justices respecting the non-compliance with the Act of Parliament for preventing frauds and regulating abuses in the plantation trade, by the naval officers appointed by the Governors in the respective plantations in America, they having omitted to take bonds and give certificates for clearing ships. 3 pages and 2 halves.
Oct. 27.	27. A certificate from the Com^rs of the victualling concerning the Excise debt. Dated 27 Oct. 1698. 1 page.
Oct. 27.	28. “A reply of Richard Bovett to a scandalous and mallicious paper given in against him to the R^t Hon^ble the L^ds Comm^rs of his Ma^ties Treasurie by Rich^d Baily, late carpenter of the Anglesea. October the 27th 1698.” It was a quarrel about money transactions between the two persons: 21l. according to the writer remained due to him. Dated 27 Oct. 1698. 2 pages.
[About Oct. 27.]	29. Petition of Tho. Vincent, Esq., to the Lords of the Treasury, as to an arrear of 1,800l. “set in super” on the proprietors of the New River water, for the poll granted in the first year of the reign. Minuted:—“27 Oct. '98. To be layd before ye K. Granted.” In the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 60, 25 Jan. 1698, is:—“M^r Tho. Vincent's petition read for ye remainder of 1,800^li sett on ye proprietors of ye New River water for y^e 1^st poll. Granted.” 1 page.
Oct. 28.	30. Report of the Earl of Ranelagh to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of the Drummers and Fife of the household, as to their pay; certifying that their pay from 1 Dec. 1695 to 1 Dec. last amounted to 240l. Dated 28 Oct. 1698. (Three enclosures.) Minuted:—“Read 7 Nov. '98. Order my Lord Ranelagh to putt this demand upon his memorial.” In the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 32, 23 Nov. 1698, is:—“240^li to ye Drūmers & Fife by tallys on ye same 9^th paym^t” [i.e. of the two millions]. 1 page and 3 parts of pages.
Oct. 28.	31. Letter of Mr. Wm. Blathwayt to Mr. Lowndes, sending His Majesty's commands that the Duchess of Mazarin be immediately supplied with a year's pension, the King understanding from her Grace that she was in very great distress for the want thereof: adding that His Majesty was “very earnest that there be a speedy compliance therewith.” Dated Loo, 28 Oct. 1698, O.S. 1 page (quarto).
Oct. 29.	32. A precisely similar report of the Attorney-General (Trevor) to that of 25 Oct. (No. 15), on the petition of Joseph Ayloff, as to derelict lands lying in the parishes of Winchelsea, Rye, and Guildford, in the county of Sussex: with the same recommendation. Dated 29 Oct. 1698. Minuted:—“28 June '99. My L^ds agree w^th ye Attorney-Gen^lls report.” Accompanied by the petition and four other enclosures, together with;— “The humble representation and memoriall of Francis Geary and Joseph Ayloffe, Esq^rs, in answer to the reports of the Attorney Generall hereunto annexed.” 13 leaves.
Oct.	33. Papers relating to the way certain prisoners in Newgate, who had been French smugglers, should be allowed to pay their respective fines, which had been given to Greenwich Hospital. Dated in the month of Oct. 1698. Minuted:—“W^t done.” 8 pages.
Nov. 1.	34. “Comm^rs of Excise y^r memorial to the Treasury about oyled leather:” asking directions as to the duties to be levied on leather. Dated 1 Nov. 1698. In the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 9, 1 Nov. 1698, is:— “M^r Attorney, M^r Soll^r & Com^rs of Excise upon reading the Com^rs report concerning white leather, after converted into oyle leather. The King's counsel are of opinion the higher duty ought to be charged, to wit, for oyle leather; but upon the partys making proof that a lower duty was paid for the same, as for white leather, the lower duty soe paid ought to be abated.” 1½ pages.
[About Nov. 1.]	35. Petition of Benjamin Cole to the Lords of the Treasury. He, with one Johnson and Cooper, were committed to Bedford gaol for counterfeiting Exchequer bills, and were removed by Habeas corpus to Newgate, when he was admitted evidence against Johnson, who was executed; praying to have bail taken for his appearance. Minuted:—“Rec^d 1^st Nov. '98. Read 16 Nov. '98. My Lords are not concerned in ye subject matter of this petition.” 1 page.
Nov. 2.	36. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Sir Peter Killigrew, Knt. and Bart., praying for the delivery up of certain bonds to the value of 255l. 4s. 8¾d.; wherein he became bound for one Carpenter, for duties of tobacco imported at Falmouth: informing their Lordships that all they knew of the matter was contained in a report of Mr. Medcalfe, their solicitor's assistant, and though the case was hard, the King's debt was unpaid. Dated 2 Nov. 1698. Minuted:—“Respited.” The petition and a certificate relating thereto. There is also another petition (undated) from him, in which the amount for which he was bound is stated to be 223l. 5s., and he states as reasons why he should be considered, that he had considerably advanced the coinage duty of tin, as Receiver of the Duchy of Cornwall, and the trade and customs of the port of Falmouth, by building at his own charge, a public key and pier. 4 pages.
Nov. 2.	37. Report of the same to the same, on the petition of Francis Barry, of Kensington, gent., praying for employment, enclosing a scheme of his to prevent the frauds practised in the Thames above bridge westward, as far as Wallingford in Oxfordshire, which they so far approved as to be inclined to try the experiment, and proposed to allow him 100l. or 120l. per ann. for himself, horses and servants, and the use of the coasting boats above bridge. Dated 2 Nov. 1698. Accompanied by the petition, a certificate, and the said scheme. Minuted:—“Approved for one year at 120^li without incidents, and the Com^rs to report at ye year's end what service is done before he be further continued. W^t signed.” 4¼ pages.
Nov. 2.	38. Report of the same to the same, on the petition of Nathaniel Ives, on the case of the ship “Two Friends,” which had been twice seized under the Navigation Act. Also as to the ship “Charles,” seized under the same Act. Dated 2 Nov. 1698. Three affidavits, a letter of the said Ives, and the petition. Minuted:—“Read 2^d Nov. 1698. My Lords find no ground for them to give any order in this.” 6½ pages.
Nov. 2.	39. Report of the same to the same, on the petition of John Lambert and others, praying to be relieved against the forfeiture of the above ship “Two Friends” and her lading, seized by one Ives upon a supposed breach of the Act of Navigation; advising that the petitioners should be relieved from the forfeiture. Dated 2 Nov. 1698. The petition and five other papers. Minuted:—“Agreed. W^t signed 4 Nov^r 1698.” 5 pages and 2 halves.
Nov. 8.	40. Memorial of George Dodington, Paymaster to the Right Hon. Edward, Earl of Orford, Treasurer of the Navy, as to payment of clerks employed in returning weekly certificates of the receipts and issues of wages. With an enclosure. Dated 8 Nov. 1698. Minuted:—“Read 10^th Nov. 1698. My Lords think it fitting to keep these clerks at the King's charge, till further order. To be paid out of m^o for the extra service of y^e navy.” 1 page and 4 parts of pages.
Nov. 8.	41. Representation of the Com^rs for Sick and Wounded Seamen, &c., to the Lords of the Treasury, praying for speedy relief in this great exigency, the board having accepted bills for above 6,000l., which had laid so long unpaid, that unless the arrears were paid, the cries of the poor people would grow intolerable. Dated 8 Nov. 1698. In the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 16, 8 Nov. 1698, is:—“Com^rs of Sick & Wounded. There are 6,000^li in bills of Exch^a upon them, & 2,000^li due at Plym^o most pressing at present.” 1 page.
Nov. 8.	42. Enclosures to a letter which was sent to the Lords Com^rs of the Council of Trade and Plantations, dated 8 Nov. 1698. The letter itself is printed among Documents relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York, Vol. IV., p. 421, and the duplicate copies of the enclosures are with the Board of Trade Collection, Vol. V., pp. 163 to 210. They all relate to the affairs of the province of New York, viz.:— 1. A list of several persons that had given credit to the government and had warrants or orders of council for their money passed during Col. Fletcher's administration, being before the 2^d of April 1698, when the Earl of Bellomont arrived as Governor of New York. A list of debts owed by the government at the same date, besides those for which orders of council had been passed. Memorial of Stephen Van Cortland, receiver of the revenues, addressed to the said Earl, representing that several persons had due to them out of the tax raised by the General Assembly of that province several sums, which could not be paid by reason of the non-payment of the taxes, showing to what the arrears for each county amounted. “A list of the debts that the Governor of New York owed the 30^th of August 1692, when Col. Fletcher, the late Governor, arrived.” 2. A general state of all the public money that had been raised and paid from the 29^th of Sept. 1692 to the 25^th day of March 1698, during the time that Col. Fletcher had the administration of his Majesty's government of New York. 3. Copy of the establishment of 4 companies of foot for New York. 4. An account of money paid by his Excel. Col. Benjamin Fletcher, His Majesty's capt.-general & governor-in-chief of the province of New York, &c., upon the credit of the 30 per cent. surplusage, arising from the pay of His Majesty's established companies garrisoned in this province, &c. 5. Account current of the said 30^li per cent. 6. Observations on the state of the 30 per cent. 7. The Earl of Bellomont's order to Cols. Courtland and Bayard, members of the council, to survey the fort at New York and the Governor's house within the same, and examine what repairs were necessary for both, with their report upon the said order. The estimate of the charge of reparations amounting to 1,515l. Dated 10 Apr. 1698. 8. “An acco^t of victualing Col. Fletcher's comp. of Fuzileers in his Majesty's pay at New Yorke.” 9. Copy of certificate of Col. Cortland and M^r Livingston, finding by the provision book kept by them what the amount was, that was paid to Col. Fletcher on account of his perquisite of 10s. per man per ann. for every man that was victualled by the victuallers. Some time after Col. Slaughter, the predecessor of Col. Fletcher, arrived, viz., in May 1691, by certain articles between them, the victuallers were to have 5d. a day for each man, out of which they were to pay as a perquisite the said 10s. a year, which they did in Col. Slaughter's and Col. Ingoldsby's time, & so continued till Col. Fletcher's time, but provisions having grown dearer they were not inclined to continue the same, except the allowance were advanced; but the government would not allow more than 5d. a day for the provision of the established forces, and so of late they had allowed him no perquisite, but for the fuzileers. Dated 3 Nov. 1698. 27 pages.
[? About Nov. 8.]	43. Petition of Chidley Brook, collector of the Customs in New York, America, to the Lords of the Treasury. He executed his office with great diligence and integrity, and to the approbation of the Com^rs of Customs in England, until the arrival of the Earl of Bellomont, now Governor there, when he was suspended. Prays that he might have copies of the articles against him, and that their Lordships would admit him to make his defence personally or by counsel. Minuted:—“Read 8^th 9^br '98. When my Lords read my Lord Bellomont's papers they will consider what orders are fitt for them to give upon this petition.” 1 page.
Nov. 10.	44. Report of Mr. John Povey to the Lords of the Treasury, “upon Col. Nicholson's letter of the 26th of May 1698, about the accompts from Mariland, &c.,” of which province he was late Governor. Dated 10 Nov. 1698. Also the letter and various accounts and other papers relating to the revenue of Maryland. The papers are minuted:—“Read 22 7^br '98. Transmitt these to C. Customes. Direct Sir T. Lawrence to attend y^m, and when they have perused and considered these papers, to returne them to W. L. [William Lowndes], that they may be sent to y^e Plantation office.” 27 pages and 3 halves.
Nov. 10.	45. Letter of the Marquis of Carmarthen to the Lords [of the Treasury]. He had received their Lordships' answer, that they had granted the office of writer of the tallies, &c. to Mr. Chr. Montague, for life, and was to know from him his resolutions as to the matter of privilege. He should not have omitted that inquiry being in present possession of the office. In Mr. Lowndes' letter there was no answer to that part of his Lordship's, relating to their Lordships' privileges. He was informed by his “council” he must give their Lordships some trouble in prosecution of his right to that office, their Lordships having denied admittance to him, and given the same to Mr. Chr. Montague, contrary to the express direction of his patent. Praying an answer to that part of his Lordship's letter. Dated 10 Nov. 1698. The following Minute of 9 Sept. 1698, though of a previous date to the above letter, relates to the subject of it, and is entered in the Minute Book, Vol. VIII., p. 235:— “Marq^s Carmarthen ab^t S^r Rob^t Howards place as aud^r. Marq^s of Carmarthen saies he was at a distance when S^r R. H. dyed, or he had attended here sooner. His Lordship produces his patent for the office, late of S^r Rob^t Howard, w^ch is read. “M^r Chancell^r saies they have searched all the preced^ts & find by all of them, for some hundred years, this office is in the guift of y^e Treasury. Particularly this office was given to S^r R. H. by his Lo^ps father; & being obliged to assert their owne right, have given it to M^r Ch^r Montague. “Marq^s.—I have heard as much. My patent does oblige me to attend yo^r Lo^ps, 'tis my right, & I will defend it. As to my father's admitting S^r R. H., he was the last man in ye world to have been admitted, if it were in his power. He demands of my Lords to admitt him as S^r R. H. was admitted by his father, in the same manner. “Ch^r.—If the right be not w^th us, the law may decide it as soon as yo^r Lo^pp pleases. “M^r Smith.—We would not do anything unkind to you or Coll. Strangewaies if it were not to p[re]]serve a right w^ch we think we have. “His Lo^p offers his service; saies he will mainteyne his right, & carrys away the patent.” 2 pages.
Nov. 10.	46. Memorial of the Trustees for exchanging Exchequer bills to the Lords of the Treasury, sending the state of the account, and asking that their Lordships would direct the payment of 500l. wanting to complete the 10 per cent. allowance on the third contract, &c. [Minuted:—“To be p^d out of ye 4^th pay^mt of ye 2 May.”] Also that the officers of the Exchequer might be directed to apply the loans remaining in the Exchequer, and those which should be brought in, upon the second 3s. aid, towards cancelling Exchequer bills. [Minuted:—“Orderd to be done according to the Act.”] Dated 10 Nov. 1698. Also the copy of an order on the trustees for payment of more than 50,000l. Dated 19 March 1697. Also a balance sheet. 3 pages.
Nov. 10.	47. Order in Council, on reading the report from the Com^rs of the Customs, concerning salaries of 50l. and 30l. ordered to be settled on a Protestant divine and a schoolmaster in the province of Pennsylvania; returning the report to the Com^rs for a true state of the matters relating to the grant mentioned in their report, of the duty of a penny a pound, in Virginia and Maryland, upon tobacco exported from thence to His Majesty's plantations in America. Dated 10 Nov. 1698. The report and a previous order in Council relative thereto. Minuted:—“16 April 1700. Read.” 2½ pages.
Nov. 11.	48. Report of the Com^rs for Transportation to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Arthur Shallet, merchant, concerning the freight due to 13 ships for transport service; 12 being employed in transporting the army from Holland and Flanders to England Scotland, and Ireland, and one to carry provisions to Newfoundland: certifying what was due. Dated 11 Nov. 1698. (Two enclosures.) Minuted:—“Read 16 9^br '98. My Lords will speak w^th ye Com^rs of Transports the next time they come.” 4 pages.
Nov. 11.	49. A paper headed:—“A list of His Ma^ts ships which have been paid since, and which are to be call'd in succession to the printed list, with their beginning and ending of wages, when paid, & what sumes remain due to each.” Dated 11 Nov. 1698. [Most likely an enclosure.] 5¼ pages.
Nov. 8 and 12.	50. Letter of Captain Geo. Stidson to Mr. Lowndes, desiring his favour for the King's part of certain silks and other goods at Seaford, about to be condemned. Dated 8 Nov. 1698. Also another paper containing the value of the goods. Dated 12 9^br 1698. Part of the docquet is as follows:—“The goods to be sold by inch of candle for exportation. Captⁿ Baker prosecutes this cause.—Walter Yonge.” Part of a page and a few lines.
[? About Nov. 12.]	51. Petition of Charles Whitaker, Esq., to the Lords of the Treasury, for payment of his fee, as foreign apposer, for one year and a half, viz., 60l. Minuted:—“A warr^t to pay him as farr as others.” With a certificate thereon. Dated 12 Nov. 1698. 2 pages.
14 Nov.	52. Letter from Lord Bellomont, Governor of the province of New York, to Mr. Lowndes. He hoped Mr. Weaver, the agent for that province, waited on him sometimes to inform him how affairs were managed there. He need not trouble Mr. Lowndes, as he would have his long letters to read to their Lordships. He desired he would rectify any errors, in form, in the accounts; as to the fact, he believed they were just. One Bayard, suspended from being His Majesty's counsel, was gone for England. He had been a great incendiary, and a most restless, turbulent man. The town had been much quieter since he went. He ran away the day he was suspended, being afraid of Leisler's friends, whom he had persecuted with great violence. By knavery he was worth 6,000 or 7,000l., and he carried over 1,000l. to purchase Brookes', the late collector's place there. His son, who was a blockhead, betrayed the secret. He believed their Lordships would avoid sending a man to that post who was his declared inveterate enemy. He did not suppose the money would prevail, but it was not impossible he might make friends to influence their Lordships. Dated New York, 14 Nov. '98. 1½ pages (quarto).
Nov. 14.	53. Report of Mr. Pauncefort to the Lords of the Treasury, as to what was due to Captain Martin Laycock for his arrears. He had been in the Lord Charlemont's regiment in Ireland, and in Lieut.-General Douglas's regiment. Dated 14 Nov. 1698. Minuted:—“15 Nov. '98. Ref. this, as to conting^t charges to M^r Clerk.” Also four enclosures. 1 page and 5 parts of pages.
Nov. 15.	54. Letter from the Lord Chief Justice Holt, Mr. Justice Rokeby, and Mr. Baron Powys, to the Lords of the Treasury, sending an account of the loss they sustain by taking malt tickets for their salaries. The rest of the judges had the good fortune to have their tickets come up into early payments. They hoped their Lordships would make good their loss. Dated 15 Nov. 1698. Signed. Accompanied by the account referred to. The loss to two of them would be 142l. 10s.; and to the third 111l. 3s. There is a memorandum that those amounts were paid. In the Minute Book, Vol. IX, p. 22, is:—“150^li to M^r Booth for ye last qu^r, to be p^d out of Excise m^o; 142. 10. 0. to L^d Ch. Justice Holt; 111. 3. 0. to Justice Rokeby; & 142. 10. 0. to Baron Powys, for their loss in malt ticq^ts, given them for their sallarys; to [be] p[ai]d out of Excise m^o, by way of secret service.” 2 pages.
15 Nov.	55a. Petition of Charles Brawne, gent., to the Lords of the Treasury, being an answer to the reports of the Com^rs of Excise on the case of Mr. John Allen, late collector of the Excise for the city of Bristol, for whom the petitioner was security. Dated (on the dorse) 15 Nov. '98. Also an affidavit of John Allen, of Brewley, in the county of Somerset, gent. Sworn 8 Nov. 1698. [See the report of 20 Dec. 1695, Vol. XXXV. No. 36.] In the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 22, 15 Nov. 1698, is:—“Com^rs of Excise call'd in. M^r Brawn's 2 reports & his answer are read. He ought to pay the 820^li 13. 2½. on ye acco^t of M^r Allen, for whom he is security, & ye Com^rs of Excise are to take care that it be paid.” 2 pages (brief size).
Nov. 15.	55b. Report of B. Bridges, audr., to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of the farmers of His Majesty's post fines, for 984l. 15s. 11d. and interest thereon, &c. Dated 15 Nov. 1698. Minuted:—“Warr^t for 984. 15. 11¾., & not for ye interest.” 3 pages.
Nov. 16.	56. Charge against Richard Maidston of refusing to go after the seizure of a boat which lay ready to take in wool at Herne; that he did very little to prevent the exportation of wool; that he did not encourage others to seize owlers or smugglers; and that he demanded the wool out of the hands of those who had seized it, refusing to allow them their share, &c.; threatening farmer Pitcher, where the wool was, to pull his house about his ears. Dated 10 Nov. 1698. “The answer of Richard Maidstone, commander of the Whitstable boat,” to the charge. Dated 16 Nov. 1698. Accompanied by a certificate in his favour. 3 pages.
Nov. 16.	57. Memorial of Mr. Henry Baker to the Lords of the Treasury. He had taken a great deal of pains to suppress the owling trade on the coast of Kent and Sussex, and in Romney Marsh; the guard was deficient; wool was shipped, and wine and brandy brought in; but if the establishment were allowed him, as mentioned in his report, he would suppress the whole trade. There were near fifty causes ready for trial, and the charges too great for him without a supply; and upwards of 900l., recovered in the last term, were ready to be paid in. Dated 16 Nov. 1698. Minuted:—“500^li to be imprested to him out of the 1^st m^o coming in, recovered from y^e oulers. And send to ye Com^rs of C. to hasten their report, on M^r Baker's representation, concerning ye owling trade.” 1 ½ pages.
Nov. 17.	58. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the order of the Lords Justices, upon a memorial of the Royal African Company, relating to the exportation of beans for carrying on their trade to Africa, and supplying the negroes in their transportation from thence to the plantations. Also as to the export of corn, meal, biscuit, and bread to the plantations. Informing their Lordships that the gentlemen of that company would make oath, that the beans were only for the provision of the negroes on the passage; and in respect to the corn, &c., they acquainted their Lordships that though considerable quantities had been heretofore usually exported yet that trade had been wholly diverted for seven or eight years past, and the plantations of Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands were wholly supplied by the northern plantations of New England and Pennsylvania; and that as the prices of corn and grain then were, there was no prospect of carrying any from hence to the plantations. Dated 17 Nov. 1698. Accompanied by two orders in Council, and a presentment, all relating thereto. Minuted:—“Done.” 5 pages.
[? About Nov. 17.]	59. Petition of Lieut.-Col. John Vaughan to the Lords of the Treasury. His case, at a late hearing before their Lordships, had been mis-stated and misrepresented. Prays that his services and sufferings might be considered, his fortune having been encumbered by disbursements for horses, clothing, and accoutrements of 106 men, &c., &c.; and that the benefit of the King's grant, for a debt due to the petitioner only, might not be diverted. “Rec^d 17 Nov. '98.” In the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 76, 24 Feb. 1698–9, is:—“100^li to Coll^o Vaughan on his penc[i]on out of ye Roy^ll Oake lottery.” 1 page.
Nov. 18/28.	60. Letter from Mr. Wm. Blathwayt to Mr. Lowndes, returning two warrants, one being a discharge to Pierce Row of a fine of 500 marks, and the other relating to the late Brigadier Wolseley's regiment. Further, the King thinks fit that the chaplains of the three regiments that are made marines, be put on half-pay as other disbanded officers are. Dated Hague, 18/28 Nov. '98. 1 page (quarto).
Nov. 21.	61. Letter signed John Sansom, junr., addressed to Mr. Lowndes, on certain points to be inquired into in a matter between Mr. Overton and Mr. Williamson, laying before him a paper containing the heads of inquiries to be made by the Com^rs of Customs in respect of the office of searcher and under-searcher. Dated 21 Nov. 1698. Minuted:—“To be brought in when the C. Customs are here.” In the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 25, 18 Nov. 1698, is a long entry, consisting of 5½ pages, on the hearing of this case as to the searchers office in the port of London. 2 pages.
Nov. 22.	62. Memorial to the Lords of the Treasury, by some one [connected with a Mr. Howard's office?]. The Com^rs appointed by their Lordships for receiving 2,000,000l. for payment of annuities of 8l. per cent., and for settling the trade to the East Indies, had demanded upwards of 10,000l. of the loan remaining in that office upon the 3s. aid upon non-specie Exchequer bills. Asks if it should be paid. Dated 22 Nov. 1698. Parts of 1 page.
Nov. 22.	63. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Thomas Walsh, merchant. Prays their Lordships to accept of a third of his debt due to the King. Advises the acceptance thereof; viz., 935l. 3s. 7d. Dated 22 Nov. 1698. Accompanied by the memorial and three other papers. Minuted:—“Agreed.” 8 pages.
Nov. 22.	64. Account of the charge of transporting to Holland His Majesty's household, with their horses and equipage, in May, July, and September 1698. Dated 22 Nov. '98. In the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 38, 2 Dec. 1698, is this entry:—“865. 5. 0. for bringing over His Ma^ts housh. from Holłd, to be paid out of ye 2 m^ons, and this & y^e sum of (fn. 1), last issued for transporting ye housh. beyond sea, are to be placed to ye acco^t of ye civil list.” 1 page.
[? About Nov. 23.]	65. Petition of Edward Darell and Ann Willis, stationers, and creditors of John Packer, Esq., deceased, complaining that, at Packer's desire, they had supplied the Treasury with paper and other stationery; and praying that they might be paid. Minuted:—“23 9br. '98. After the K. & the B^p are satisfied, to be paid out of ye first m^o that is issued to Mr. Packer, upon his liberat[us].” In the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 73, 21 Feb. 1698, is:— “200^li a week from this time, out of ye mo. from time to time in y^e Excheq^r for the civil list, to be issued to M^r Packer, upon his father's & grandfather's liberates, (so as he be exec^r or adm^r to both); and to [be] applyed towards the debts following, reported p[er] M^r Twitty, ye 22^th Sept. last; viz^t:— “To Edw. Darel, for stac[i]onary goods - 2,034. 1. 8. “To Widd. Willis, for ye like - - 961. 15. 3. “To Rob^t Mitchel, for ye like - - 692. 10. 0. “To W^m Betts, for ye like - - 1,100. 0. 0. “And M^r Twitty is to take care that M^r Packer do weekly apply the s^d 200^li, in just proportions, tow^d paying the debts justly owing to these persons for stac[i]onary wares, & to inform my Lords if the least failure be made therein.” 1 page.
Nov. 24.	66. Copy of letter of Richard Maidstone, boatman at Whitstable, giving his account of the execution of the order of the collector of Feversham to seize certain wool at Herne [see 16 Nov. 1698]; further denying the charge against him of taking a guinea several times of one Lethered, a boatman, to suffer him to ride in Herne Bay undisturbed. Dated 24 Nov. 1698. 1 page.
Nov. 25.	67. Copy of letter of Nicholas Matson, collector of Feversham, in favour of Richard Maydston, characterising the charges against him as frivolous; what was done was under his directions, those who had the wool refused to deliver it to his clerk and Mr. Maidston, and his clerk returned with a writ of assistance, but the constable and company refused to assist them, by reason they had a warrant from Mr. Watson and Taylor of Canterbury; if this were suffered, the officers would in a little time get no assistance. His opinion on his concience was, that Maidston was faithful and fit for his employment. Dated Faversham, 25 Nov. 1698. 1½ pages.
Nov. 26.	68. Report of the Com^rs of Excise to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Anthony Philipps, brewer, for an allowance of Excise duties on 120 tuns of beer brewed for the Com^rs of Victualling during extreme hot weather, and so defective; adverse to the petitioner. Dated 26 Nov. 1698. Also the petition. Minuted:—“Read 20 xbr. '98. Agreed,” i.e. he was to have no allowance. 2 pages.
Nov. 26.	69. Report of the Com^rs of Excise to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Thomas Bird, as to an allowance of 100l. which was paid in 1689 to a Danish officer, and for which he had not credit on his account. They report adversely to his claim, as the payment was made without authority. Dated 26 Nov. 1698. Also the petition. Minuted:—“Read 20 x^br '98. My Lords are of ye same opinion with the Com^rs of Excise.” 2 pages.
Nov. 26.	70. Report of the same to the same. On the petition of Frances Mallock, widow, whose husband had withdrawn with a great sum of the King's money and was in consequence discharged, having his account charged with the debt: advising that the petitioner's estates ought to answer the debt and interest thereon. Dated 26 Nov. 1698. (Two enclosures.) Minuted:—“Read 20 x^br '98. My Lords agree w^th ye report, & direct ye Com^rs of Excise to recover this debt as soon as they can to His Ma^ts use.” 4 pages.
Nov. 26.	71. Petition of Mrs Mary Woodruffe and Mrs. Mary Bagg, widow and daughter of Mr. Isaac Woodruffe, late rector of Pulbrough, in the county of Sussex and diocese of Chichester, deceased. Dr. John Harrison, late rector of Pulbrough, by indigence, improvident management, or unusual omission in receiving the tenths due to the King from year to year, had contracted arrears of the tenths for many years past and had not made the least reparation for the dilapidations which happened in his time, and the husband and father of the petitioner had possessed the rectory only a quarter of a year, leaving his wife an antient and infirm widow, and his daughter also a widow with three small children; they pray to be exonerated from the arrears. Signed by the petitioners. Also a certificate of the truth of the same, signed by four clergymen and seven others. Dated 26 Nov. 1698. 1 large page.
[? About Nov. 26.]	72. Petition of Edw. Richier to the Lords of the Treasury, concerning arrears, viz.: 150l. due to his brother Isaac Richier as late Governor of Bermudas: with certificate relating thereto, the latter dated 26 Nov. 1698. Parts of 2 pages.
Nov. 29.	73. Letter from the Officers of Ordnance to the Lords of the Treasury, in answer to their Lordships' order to pay 133l. 6s. 8d. to Capt. Waters, in satisfaction of guns taken by him in the “Suttle” prize; enclosing copy of a letter sent by them to the Com^rs of the Prize Office on this matter in 1692, in which they did not consider themselves bound to pay the same, and they had then greater reasons for that opinion, for Capt. Norris had taken two men-of-war of the French in the Straights which had brass guns, for which he demanded 6,000l; but the Attorney-General's opinion was, that the King was entitled to the guns, and that the captain ought to be paid 10l. per gun out of the Prize Office; they had received great quantity of guns on the same footing, and were afraid if their Lordships paid Capt. Waters, it would bring great trouble and charge on the office, and be a sufficient encouragement to other pretenders. Dated 29 Nov. 1698. The copy of the letter referred to. Also copy of both the above. In the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 14, 7 Nov. 1698, is the order above referred to, viz.:—“133. 6. 8. out of loans on the Cole Act to be issued to the Ordnance to pay the King's bounty (by his Order in Counsel) [sic] for 20 guns taken by Capt. Waters in the Suttle prize, w^ch guns were d^d into the Office of Ordnance.” 4 pages and 3 parts.
Nov. 29.	74. Letter of R. Yard to Mr. Montague. The Duke of Shrewsbury directed him to desire that the 3,000l. ordered him for secret service might be paid in money or be placed on some near fund, &c. Dated 29 Nov. 1698. Minuted:—“Out of ye nearest part of the two m^ons [millions] not disposed.” 1 page (quarto).
Nov. 26 and 30.	75. Report of the Lord Chancellor [Methuen] of Ireland [to the Lords Justices], as to gratuities to be given as His Majesty's bounty to the officers attending both Houses of Parliament for their pains and attendance during the sitting of the houses, setting forth what precedents there were for the same. Dated 26 Nov. 1698. Similar report of Mr. Robert Rochford [? Speaker of the House of Commons]. Dated 30 Nov. 1698. Copies of various papers from 1662 relating to similar allowances. Minuted:—“26^th May '99. Respited. 25 Jun. 1700. My Lords are to examine this & advise ye K. what is reasonable to be allowed.” There is also a similar entry to the first in the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 129, 26 May 1699. The following entry is also in the Minute Book, Vol. X., p. 85, under date 25 June 1700:—“Reports made by y^e Speakers of both Houses of Parl^t in Ireland, concerning allowances formerly made to the officers of the said houses, and recomending the present officers for some reward, read. My Lords are to examin this & advise the King what is reasonable to be allowd.” 18 pages and 2 halves.
Nov.	76. Letter of Sir Polycarpus Wharton to William Lowndes, Esq., as to auditors of imprests' objection to Sir George Wharton's interest account. Dated Nov. 1698. Also three other papers of a previous date relating to Sir George Wharton's account. There is the following entry as to Sir Polycarp Wharton's accounts in the Minute Book, Vol. IX., p. 8, 1 Nov. 1698:—“A privy seal is to be prepared for passing S^r Pol. Wharton's accounts, according to the minutes upon the several reports this day read and considered by their Lor^ps.” Parts of 7 pages.