Volume 49: November 17, 1697-December 15, 1697

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

'Volume 49: November 17, 1697-December 15, 1697', in Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 2, 1697-1702, (London, 1871) pp. 110-118. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-papers/vol2/pp110-118 [accessed 25 April 2024]

November 17, 1697–December 15, 1697



1697 [About Nov. 17.]	1. Petition of Henry Killigrew to the King, praying for the bestowal upon him of the recognizance of Mr. George Ward, who was found guilty of manslaughter by the coroner's inquest, and who was admitted to bail, which was forfeited by his withdrawal. “Brought in by y^e King 17^th Nov. '97.” “Read 26 Nov. '97. To be carryed to Kensington. Granted.” In the Minute Book, Vol. VIII., p. 72, 8 Dec. 1697, is:—“Hen. Killigrew. Petⁿ and widdow Wilmott's for some forfeited recognizances granted to Hen. Killigrew.” 1 page.
[? About Nov. 17.]	2. Petition of Michael Lang to the Lords of the Treasury. Under the King's assurance of protection and indemnity he had given information of the pretended Swedish fleet, seized in their voyage from France by Admiral Rooke, whereby he was threatened with revenge by charges at law, &c.; praying for the King's protection and indemnity. Minuted:—“Rec^d 17^th Nov^r '97.” 1 page (quarto).
Nov. 18.	3. Letters of the Com^rs for sick and wounded seamen, &c., to William Lowndes, Esq., sending a copy of the state of the debt to the 29th of September. Dated 18 Nov. 1697. 1 page.
Nov. 19.	4. Letter of the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of John Newport, praying, as compensation for his services and losses by sea and land, for a grant of certain forfeited estates; they state that the greatest part of the estates mentioned had been already reported for the Earl of Albemarle, Mr. Abbot, and Sir Charles Porter's children; but they had examined another list, computed by the Com^rs of Revenue to be of the value of 368l. 17s. 10½d. per ann., one small part thereof, viz., the forfeiture of John Cowell, had been reported for the Earl of Meath. Dated 19 Nov. 1697. Accompanied by (1) the list of the estates. (2) The letter of the Lords of the Treasury, transmitting the petition to the Lords Justices. (3) The petition which seeks the grant of the forfeited estates of James Gilligan, George Hoare, Patrick Lea, and divers others; the petitioner states that he was an inhabitant at Carrick in the co. of Tipperary, and supplied the sick and wounded when the hospital was at Carrick; he supplied the timber to make up the broken bridge over the River Shoure, to carry the army and carriages, to reduce Waterford; and that he was honoured with the King's presence at his house divers times, when he had opportunities to beg, but needed not. 5 pages.
Nov. 19.	5. “Ordnance mem^ll ab^t salt tallies, & for a further supply of Exchequer bills.” Dated 19 Nov. 1697. 1 page (quarto).
Jan. 5, 1696–7 to Nov. 20, 1697.	6. Various papers connected with the proceedings of the Com^rs for victualling the Navy, including:—“The Commissioners of the Navy's observations upon the representations of the Com^rs of the Victualling.” [Not worthy of individual description.] 35 pages.
Nov. 21.	7. Letter of Mr. James Vernon, to the Lords of the Treasury, enclosing the petition of the widow of Captain Willmott, late Commander-in-Chief of the King's West India squadron, who, she states in the petition, was twice in the line of battle, when commander of the “Elizabeth,” and in the intended descent upon France, and in other actions at Dieppe, St. Maloes, and Havre-de-Grace; and as commander-in-chief was ordered to the West Indies, and did service against the French at Port Fransway and Porto-Paix, on the coast of Hispaniola, and died returning to England at Havannah: viz., in favour of granting the petitioner a recognizance estreated into the Exchequer, of the value of 400l. Dated 21 Nov. '97. Minuted:—“Read 26 Nov. '97. To be carryd to Kensington.—Granted to Killigrew.” 2 pages.
Nov. 23.	8. Memorial of Andrew Corbett, Esq., Commissioner for recovering and receiving the rights and perquisites belonging to the Lord High Admiral of England, addressed to the Lords of the Treasury; showing that he recovered considerable amounts, which were continually granted away by warrants, so that he could not get his salary, &c. out of the said perquisites; but for the future, the King had granted a proportion to be reserved out of all the grants: desiring to be heard by their Lordships, before a grant was made to the Postmaster-General. Dated 23 Nov. '97. Also a certificate of the Lords of the Admiralty, relating thereto. In the Minute Book, Vol. VIII., p. 103, 2 Feb. 1697–8, and p. 158, 3 May 1698, are memoranda that Mr. Corbett's papers were read. 2 pages.
[About Nov. 24.]	9. Petition of Mary, Ann, and Magdalen Ross, the daughters of George Ross, Esq., deceased. The King was made sensible of the petitioners' condition on his going into Holland the last time but one; and had ordered them to be relieved, but they had had no benefit of his bounty: praying for speedy relief, without which, they must be exposed to a prison. Docquetted:—“Brought in by y^e King,” 24 Nov. 1697. In the Minute Book, Vol. VIII., p. 152, 20 April 1698,is:—“Mary, Ann, and Magdalen Rosse, to have 10^li a year more for each of them, w^ch will make up 30^li p[er] ann. apeice.” 1 page (quarto).
[? About Nov 24.]	10. Petition of James Dunkin, to the Lords of the Treasury, showing that he had farmed the hearth money of the counties of Down and Antrim in Ireland, for the year 1687, but had become involved by the disturbances, which had occasioned him to be in arrear for the last payment for which he was bound; not being able to collect the same, he had sent into the stores to the value of 684l. from his stock of cattle and grain. Upon the landing of the Duke of Shomberg, the then government grew very jealous of Protestants, and several were confined in and about Dublin, which was the reason he staid in the north: praying that his security might be delivered up. Received 24 Nov. '97. 1 page.
Nov. 24.	11. The auditor's (Mr. B. Bridges) report to the Lords of the Treasury, on the books and papers delivered him which related to the accounts of the late Com^rs for wine licences. Dated 24 Nov. 1697. 4 pages.
Nov. 25.	12. “Ordnance representation to my Lord Romney, relating to the establishment of y^e office.” A representation indorsed as above. [The Board] had found it impossible to make a perfect estimate of the charge of the office, before they knew what force would be required; the allowance in 1684 was 60,000l.; no part of the amounts established in King James's time for the officers could be taken off; they thought it absolutely necessary that a sufficient number of engineers, bombardiers, &c. should be kept in constant pay, &c., and suggested that the officers governing the train might be chosen from such as had already salaries from the office; reminding their Lordships of the officers who had served well in Flanders, and further the ill state of the garrisons in England, and more particularly the docks at Portsmouth and Plymouth. Dated 25 Nov. 1697. In the Minute Book, Vol. VIII., p. 67, 1 Dec. 1697, is:—“The paper containing the demands of the ordnance is read. It is 26,000^li for sea service & 78,000^li for land service.” 2½ pages.
Nov. 27.	13. Letter from the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury. The King had signified his pleasure to them, to grant the forfeited estate of Dudley Bagnall, Esq. (of which Sir James Caldwell, Bart., had the custodiam) to the Marquis Puissar, after the expiration of the custodiam; transmitting the petition they had received from the said Sir James, for some other grant, in consideration thereof; and recommending him as well deserving the Royal favour. Dated 27 Nov. 1697. Also the petition, in which he states his losses to have been above 10,000l. 2 pages.
Jan. 8 to Nov. 27.	14. A very imperfect collection of accounts of totals of customs received and payments made out of the same. The first is from the 8th of Jan. and the last extends to 27 Nov. 1697. 22 large pages.
Nov. 28.	15. Copy of two letters from William Holbech, Surveyor [of Taxes], the first addressed to Mr. Geo. Lloyd in Staverton, and the second to Mr. John Walsh, constable of Broxham. It lay in his (the writer's) power to be kind to the people of their parishes, and if those who were charged 6s. a piece in the lists subjoined, would send 2s. a piece, he would contrive to excuse them from the arrear. Dated 28 Nov. 1697. 2 pages.
Nov. 29.	16. Report of Lord Ranelagh to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of James Hodges, praying payment of several sums due to his late brother Col. Robert Hodges, amounting to 648l. 4s. 7½d. Dated 29 Nov. 1697. Also the petition and an account of the state of the said debts. Minuted:—“100^l.” Letter signed 23 Feb. 1697–8. In the Minute Book, Vol. VIII., p. 115, 23 Feb. 1697, is:—“M^r James Hodges to have 100^li in part of 648. 4. 7½ due to him out of rent of hackney coaches.” 4 pages.
July 13 to Nov. 29.	17. A collection of papers numbered 1 to 19 (Nos. 4, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 18 missing), consisting of memorial, reports, &c. relating to abuses in the Excise office, with an abstract of them entitled—“A deduction of the matters which have appeared to the Right Hono^ble the Lords Comm^rs of his Ma^ts Treasury, in their enquiry made pursuant to his Ma^ts commands, concerning the Excise; extracted from the several memorials and minutes in that behalfe.” These are accompanied by a very curious and somewhat amusing paper containing draft notes of what took place at the council, at which the King presided, on 29 (fn. 1) Nov. 1697; giving the substance of the remarks made by the different speakers, on the subject of the abuses in the Commission of Excise. [It is in Mr. Lowndes' hand] and is fairly entered in the Minute Book, Vol. VIII., p. 60. 72 pages or parts of pages.
Nov. 30.	18. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the regulations practised in the office of Receiver General of the Customs, arranged under various heads; six out of the seven are minuted as “agreed;” enclosing a presentment by the said Com^rs, dated 14 Aug. 1696, as to regulations proposed for the better security of the revenue. Dated 30 Nov. 1697. Indorsed:—“W^t signed 12 March 1697–8.” 2 pages and 2 halves.
Nov. 30.	19. Representation by the Com^rs for Sick and Wounded Seamen, to the Lords of the Treasury, as to the pitiable condition of that service for want of money. Dated 30 Nov. 1697. 1 page.
[About Nov. 30.]	20. Petition of William Berriffe to the Lords of the Treasury, to be established a deputy to Mr. Johnson, who was lately appointed the King's land-waiter. Also a certificate. Docquetted:—“Ult. Nov. '97.” 2 pages.
Nov. 30.	21. Copy of the “Establishment for the pay of the King's standing forces and garrisons in the kingdom of Scotland, according to 336 days in the year, commencing 1 Jan. 1697–8. Dated 30 Nov. 1697. 6 pages.
[About Nov. 30.]	22. Petition of Charles Goreing, Esq., to the Lords of the Treasury, praying the remission of a forfeiture, for running a small quantity of wine, for his private use. Minuted:—“Rec^d ult. Nov. '97. The soll^r of ye customes is to certifie how much ye King's part is, & for what goods and from whom.” 1 page (quarto).
[About Nov.]	23. Petition of the sorters and officers of the Penny Post Office. Their salaries were assessed to the aid of 4s. in the pound. The tax had been remitted to the clerks in the General Post Office; praying for the same favour. Also a list of the officers whose salaries were under 60l. per ann., together with the sums charged on them: certified 19 Nov. 1697. Minuted:—“Granted.” W^t signed 16 Feb^ry 1697–8. 2 pages.
Dec. 2.	24. Certificate of the Earl of Athlone, late governor of their Majesty's forces, that he, at the siege and surrender of Limerick, agreed with Col. Patrick Sarsfield, commonly called the Lord Lucan, that he should have liberty to send 300 tons of any French goods from France to Ireland, in the transport ships employed to carry Irish troops to France. Dated 2 Dec. 1697. 1 page (quarto).
[About Dec. 4.]	25. Petition of John Anthony Lulin, merchant of Geneva, to the Lords of the Treasury. The petitioner had made several advances for the King's forces in Piedmont, under the command of Lord Gallway, and had paid 19,773 crowns ⁴/5ths for clothing the forces, about the end of 1695 and the beginning of 1696; praying their Lordships to order the payment of 7,605l. out of the tallies in Sir Joseph Herne's hands, which sum the loan amounted to, the tallies being allowed at the rate of 35l. per cent. discount. Copies of seven other documents relating thereto. Minuted:—“Read 4 Xbr. '97. My Lords will lay this before y^e K. when my L^d Ran. is there.” In the Minute Book, Vol. VIII., p. 92, 12 Jan. 1697, is:—“Mons. Lulin's debt is to be paid out of the tallys in S^r Joseph Herne's hands, to wit, 5,000^li in tallys w^thout the interest.” 5½ pages.
Dec. 4.	26. Report of Lord Ranelagh to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Charles Badham, late deputy chaplain to Brig^r Wyndham's regiment of horse; praying payment of 29l. 15s. 4d. due to him in the said regiment. Dated 4 Dec. 1697. Also the petition. Minuted:—“To be read when my L^d Ran. is here.” 2 pages.
[? About Dec. 4.]	27. Petition of Stephen Hyde and three other porters for carrying money at the receipt of the Exchequer. By the payments made in Exchequer bills and malt tickets, they were deprived of their poor livelihood; but they performed other duties in the four tellers' offices, for which they had no allowance but the poor ancient one of 4d. per diem: praying an additional allowance. Minuted:—“4 X^br '97. When the cash in the Excheq^r comes to be all mony againe, lett them apply for the prejudice they shall have susteyned in the meane time.” 1 page.
Dec. 6.	28. Report of Lord Ranelagh to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Capt. Walter Ralegh, praying payment of 121l. 13s. 3d., due to clear him as ensign and lieutenant in the first regiment of foot guards. Dated 6 Dec. 1697. Also the petition. Minuted:—“13 Dec. '97. It cannot be done.” “4 Mar. '97. 50l. in p[er]t.” “4 8br. 1698. My Lords will direct the rest of one yeares' clearing when they direct ye like for others.” 2 pages.
Dec. 6.	29. Letter from the Board of Green Cloth to the Lords of the Treasury, about the ordinary and extraordinary expense of the King's household for the years 1695, 1696, and 1697. Dated 6 Dec. 1697. 2 pages.
Dec. 7.	30. Report of the Com^rs of Excise to the Lords of the Treasury, on Mr. Noell's account delivered to their Lordships, of fines in connection with the Excise. Dated 7 Dec. '97. Minuted:—“11 Jan. '97. Read. To be considered.” 3½ pages.
Dec. 7.	31. Letter of the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, enclosing the report of the Com^rs of Revenue and Forfeitures as to the value of the lands lately in custodiam to Mr. Danl. Wybrants, and in the Earl of Rochfort's lists; the Lord Rochfort being deficient of the grant directed to be passed to him. Dated 7 Dec. 1697. The report, a list of the lands lately in custodiam to Lieut.-Gen. Talmash, and divers other papers relating to the same business. 17 pages or parts of pages.
[About Dec. 8.]	32. “The deplorable case and humble petition of D^r Titus Oates,” addressed to the King; setting forth the various sufferings he had undergone, being convicted of perjury “(through ye partiall behaviour of y^e Chief Justice Jefferies, in browbeating” the petitioner's “witnesses, & misleading y^e jurys)” and “receiving this inhumane & unparaleled sentence (viz.), to pay 2,000 markes to y^e King, to be devested of his cannonical habit; to be brought into Westm^r Hall, w^t a paper upon his head, with this inscription:—Titus Oates convict upon full evidence of two horrid perjurys; to stand in & upon y^e pillory two several days, for y^e space of an hour; to be whipt by y^e common hangman from Allgate to Newgate, on Wensday; & Fryday following from Newgate to Tyburn; to stand in & upon y^e pillory five times every year of his life, & to remain a prisoner during life.” He relates that he suffered some thousands of stripes and was ten weeks under the surgeon's hands, and when weak in bed some of the Popish party got into his chamber and attempted to pull off his plasters, and procured him to be loaded with irons of excessive weight for a year without intermission, when his legs were swollen with the gout, &c. The two houses of Parl^t restored his pension of 40l. a month, after he had been deprived of it nine years, which he enjoyed from 1689 to 1692, but it was then retrenched; he had run into debt 1,600l. on the strength of the King's promise, the 650l. which he had received he had paid to his creditors in part; he had afterwards incurred further debt, for which he was arrested, and must inevitably perish unless the King fulfilled his word. He had a poor aged mother to maintain, and his wife and family likely to be turned out of doors: praying for the arrears of his pension to discharge his debts, and for a restoration of the 40l. a month. Minuted:—“To be layd before ye K.,” and in another place “Read 8 Xbr. '97. 50l.” [There is also the same minute in the Minute Book for that date, Vol. VIII., p. 72, and further at p. 206, 15 July 1698, is:— “D^r Otes called in. My Lords tell him that pursuant to the King's comand, he is to have 500l. to pay his debts and 300l. per annum from Midsomer last during his & his wife's life out of the revenue of the Post Office, & he is to expect noe more out of secret service money. “Ordered that the said pencon commence from Lady-day last.” 1 large page. [The signature cut away.]
Dec. 9.	33. An official letter of Mr. James Vernon to the Lords of the Treasury. His Majesty, for particular reasons, was pleased to order the payment of an old arrear of 350l. to Col. Maurice Hussey; commanding them to give the necessary directions. Dated 9 Dec. 1697. Copy of three other documents relating to the Colonel. Indorsed:—“W^t signed 15 Dec. 1697.” 3½ pages.
[About Dec. 9.]	34. Petition of Edmund Hornby, gent., deputy clerk of the Crown for Lancashire. He went to Manchester to attend the prosecution of Lord Molinex and others for high treason, and executed the office of clerk of the Crown; praying to be satisfied for the same. Rec^d 9 Dec. '97. Minuted:—“27 June '99. My Lords have satisfied Aaron Smith.” 1 page (quarto).
Dec. 10.	35. Letter signed Sa. Story, who was an officer of the Excise Office, addressed to William Lowndes, Esq., asking for an allowance for two clerks for the malt and leather, as also for the salt duty. Dated 10 Dec. 1697. Minuted:—“W^t sign'd 11^th Feb^ry 1697.” 1 page.
Dec. 11.	36. Letter from the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, asking their Lordships to recommend Mrs. Hamilton, widow of Col. Gustavus Hamilton, late governor of Enniskillen, to His Majesty as an object of compassion, her husband's estate being extended to creditors by reason of debts contracted in buying arms, and making other provision for the common safety of the Protestants at Enniskillen in the late rebellion; and the Irish Parliament having resolved that 600l. should be paid to her. Dated 11 Dec. 1697. Also copy of the resolution. 2 pages.
Dec. 11.	37. Letter from the Com^rs of Revenue in Ireland, dated 11 Dec. 1697, to the Lords of the Treasury, respecting, (1) arrears on the civil and military lists; (2) respecting dispute between them and Mr. Naish, as contained in a paper enclosed, with this outside title:—“A coppy of M^r Naishes letter to the Lords of the Admiralty, dated at Corke, y^e 24^th June '97, refferred by the Lords of the Treãry to the Lords Justices of Ireland; together with their Ex[cellenc]ys reference to the Comiss^rs of the Revenue, and their report thereupon.” relating to the cutting of timber in Ireland for Kinsale yard. And (3) respecting a ship load of wines and other goods run aground in the harbour of Waterford, on which there is also a separate paper, entitled:—“Memorial relateing to a French ship and goods seized at Waterford, layd before the King and Council by the Lords of the Admiralty, and referred to the Lords Justices of Ireland, &c.” Dated 11 Dec. 1697. 7 pages and 2 halves.
Dec. 14.	38. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the copy of a letter relating to the goods which were saved out of the ship St. Christo, lately cast away near Rye; advising that they would not object to the re-shipment of the guns or any part of the cargo not intended to be sold here, without payment of duty. Dated 14 Dec. 1697. Indorsed:—“W^t signed 17^th Feb^ry 1697–8.” 1 page.
Dec. 14.	39. Presentment of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, respecting a charge against James Smith, collector of the port of Chichester, of receiving money for licences and not returning an account thereof into the Exchequer; and as to his unprofitable management in that port, for which he had been suspended. Dated 14 Dec. 1697. Also divers certificates, &c. relating to the affairs of the said Smith. Minuted:—“Read at the Trear [Treasury] 3 Mar. '97.” In the Minute Book, Vol. VIII., p. 123, 3 March, is a long account of the hearing of this case, the conclusion of which is as follows:— “The Com^rs lay ye stress on his deteyning ye K. m^o from the Excheq^r longer then he should. They complaine ag^t him for being hard on the under-officers in sharing in their seizures. Several of the officers of Chichester certifie ye contrary. My Lords, for the reasons w^ch have appeared [to] them, will remove him from Chichester, where he has settled a correspondence prejudicial to the Revenue, but they will advise w^th the Com^rs of Customes about employing him elsewhere.” 28 pages.
Dec. 14.	40. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Richard Bretton, Esq., customer of the port of Sandwich and members; recommending the continuance of his salary at 100l. a year. Dated 14 Dec. 1697. Minuted:—“To continue for one year more.” Also the petition. 2 pages.
Dec. 15.	41. Balance sheet headed, “The acc^t for licencing hawkers and pedlers.” Dated 15 Dec. 1697. Parts of 2 pages.
Dec. 15.	42. Letter by direction of the Admiralty to Mr. Lowndes, sending for the information of the Lords of the Treasury an extract from a letter of the Com^rs of Victualling as to the progress in providing victuals for the men for the following year. Dated 15 Dec. 1697. Also the said extract. 1½ pages.
Dec. 15.	43. Memorial of Mr. Dodington and Mr. Corbet, “instruments” to the Treasurer of the Navy, addressed to the Lords of the Treasury, showing that the allowance to them was 800l. a year, out of which they paid 12 clerks, and they had also paid the whole tax thereon; praying for repayment of the taxes on the 800l. Dated 15 Dec 1697. 1 page.