Minute Book: November 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: November 1674', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 4, 1672-1675, (London, 1909) pp. 260-267. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol4/pp260-267 [accessed 13 April 2024]

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November 1674

Nov. 2. The Lord Treasurer directs 150l. for Lord Chandos, out of the Customs, upon his patent.
The Earl of Bristol : a quarter to be paid [on his pensions]. A letter [to be sent to the Auditor of the Receipt]. In the margin : Done.
The state of the Duke of Richmond's account of extraordinaries is to be examined.
Speak with Mr. Pointz about his hangings.
A letter to be prepared for His Majesty to sign to the two archbishops to write to the clergy of their respective dioceses to take care what certificates [of exemption] they make for [the duty on] firehearths, &c.
Col. Moldsworth to have 200l. and Col. Loe 50l. [as] royal bounty : [to be paid] upon the privy seal dormant.
Shew to the Lord Treasurer Mr. Secretary Coventry's orders and remind his Lordship to settle the Secretaries [of State's] yearly charges.
Dr. Trevor to be master of Sherborne Hospital : the caveat against him to be taken off.
The business of Oakes to be settled next Treasury day.
Sir Stephen Fox to pay Mr. Mowbrey 500l. in lieu of his pension of 200l. per an.
The Lord Treasurer to be further informed in Sir Peter Killigrew's business about the quay at Falmouth.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, p. 149.]
Nov. 3. The business about sheep pounded in Dean Forest by the verderers and replevied, &c., is referred to the Attorney General.
[Warrant for] 300l. for Healing medals. In the margin : Done.
Mris. Bowman to have 100l. more upon her order for stationer's ware, &c. In the margin : Done.
Capt. Colchester's debt of 56l. 7s. 1d. for lathes, boards and timber had out of Dean Forest [is ordered] to be remitted and allowed upon the accompts of the surveyor [of said forest].
[Ibid.]
Nov. 4. A privy seal to be drawn for the establishment of the Forces [viz.] of 208,000l.
The Lord Treasurer to speak with Sir Phillip Lloyd to settle the debt of Oakes.
The Lord Treasurer to be presented with the accompts of the Master of the Mint.
On Wednesday next the officers of the Works are to attend at the Treasury Chambers.
Lord Belasyse and Sir Hugh Cholmondley are called in upon their Tangier accompts which they are not regularly discharged of. They pray the King's great seal for pardon of their former accompting and allowance of it de bene esse. The Lord Treasurer refers Lord Belasye to consult the Attorney General in his particular case.
The Lord Treasurer directs that the Attorney General attend him on the [subject of the] commission of Tangier.
A warrant to be drawn for half a year for the Patent officers of the outports.
Mr. Pepys to attend the Lord Treasurer on Saturday afternoon.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, p. 150.]
Nov. 5. John Pendrellis to have 200l. as royal bounty.
Write to Mr. Arden to give in a state of the [receipts and expenditure] of the Bishopric of Durham [sede racante]. In the margin. Done.
Send to Sir Philip Warwick for an account of what fees are due to the Lord Treasurer from the several officers by way of New Year's gift.
Sir George Downing to attend the Lord Treasurer on Tuesday morning next about the Wardrobe.
A warrant to be drawn for what is due to Sir Richard Bishop as Serjeant at Arms since the present Lord Treasurer's coming in [to office].
[Ibid.]
Nov. 6. Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
A letter to be written to Sir Robert Howard to pay 300l. to the Master of the Robes.
Col. Birch says that the Farmers of the Excise have cleared the old [Farm rent or] duty by paying in 8,000l. and that they are in arrear upon the new [farm a matter of] 30,218l.
The old [from 1668] Farmers of the [London] Excise are called in. The Lord Treasurer asks Mr. Breedon what was the discourse he held with his Lordship about the new duty of Excise. He answers that he told his Lordship he had full power to submit the matter in dispute to his Lordship by consent of his partners (excepting the two Aldermen Foorths only) that his Lordship would endeavour to get the King to abate them 7,000l. provided they would pay in the remainder immediately. The Lord Treasurer tells the Farmers that they not complying with his former offer he looks upon himself as free from any promise. The Farmers say they have an order under the hands of Lord Ashley and Sir John Duncombe to be accomptants for the first year, which year they say they were losers above 9,000l. [Ordered that] the old Farmers of the Excise attend on Wednesday with Col. Birch, and their petition to be then considered.
The new Farmers of the Excise are called in concerning the comptroll [of the accounts and management of the country Excise]. They present a paper and a book of their methods to the Lord Treasurer and offer that Mr. Ashmole's clerk should make an entry of the same by which they pretend the Lord Treasurer shall know as much of the Excise as they [do] themselves. 'Tis objected against the Farmers' paper that this will not bring in His Majesty's fines.
Mr. Hamilton's pension to be paid.
The Commissioners of Excise are to attend on Friday next.
The Collector of the Royal Aid of Hammersmith and all parties concerned in the distress of the horse are to attend on Wednesday next.
The Navy to have 8,000l.
The Lord Treasurer to be put in mind of placing the 6,951l. 10s. 10d. for provisions sent to Jamaica on the sixth quarter [of the present Eighteen Months' tax. To be] upon account of the Ordnance.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 151-2.]
Nov. 9. Mr. Mounteney to pay into the Exchequer 8,000l. for the Navy : and to bring 20,000l. more into the Exchequer.
The Navy to have one week's allowance.
[Ibid. p. 152.]
Nov. 11.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
A report to be drawn on the petition of Henry Hildeyard concerning the office of one of the Chamberlains of the Exchequer.
Send to the Attorney General for a copy of the last articles with the Excise Farmers about the running cash, &c.
Sir Humphry Winch's warrant for 500l. is to be paid.
Capt. Wharton to be allowed interest for 40,000l. upon the fifth quarter [of the present Eighteen Months' tax].
[Ibid.]
Nov. 12.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer.
The Lord Treasurer orders 2,000l. for the Wardrobe.
Write the Master of the Great Wardrobe for an account of the establishment for that office for five years ending 1673-4, Jan. 1, or if that cannot be had then [of] what establishment hath been [allowed] since 1660, as also what has been spent by a medium for the said five years and what thereof may be reckoned the ordinary and what the extraordinary and the particulars thereof (excluding the stables) and what establishment there was from 1630-1, Jan. 1, to 1635-6, Jan. 1, and what the medium of the expense of those years was (including the stables) and in what particulars. Also [request the Master of the Wardrobe] to give an account presently what retrenchment may be made in this office and also what debt hath been incurred since 1673, June 24, and in what particulars, and what tallies or orders struck or drawn for the service of that office remain unpaid.
The like letter mutatis mutandis to be sent to the Treasurer of the Chamber, Master of the Jewel House and Office of the Works.
Sir Robert Howard to give an account to the Lord Treasurer what money has been paid, or tallies or orders passed, for the Wardrobe for five years ending 1673-4, Jan. 1 ; further what money was paid to the Wardrobe for the five years commencing 1630-1, Jan. 1.
Write the King's Remembrancer to bring what accompts may be remaining in his office for the Wardrobe from 1630-1, Jan. 1, to 1635-6, Jan. 1.
Quere : what other office may have any accompts of the Wardrobe in the late King's reign. (Auditors).
Write Sir Ro. Howard [to send to my Lord a statement of] what dormant warrants he has. [And] to give an account of all arrears standing out upon any branch of the revenue.
Enquire of Sir Ph. Lloyd what is due to the Duke of Buckingham upon his orders.
Enquire at the Bishop's [residence] for Mr. Arden, Receiver of [the Bishopric of] Durham [sede racante].
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 153-4.]
Nov. 13.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Major Huntingdon called in about a comptrol [of the Excise accounts and management] that the King might know the true value of the Excise in the Counties. He is of opinion that a control will rather quiet the country than disturb it. Mr. Ashmole is directed to attend Sir John James, Major Huntingdon and Capt. Kingdon in order to frame a paper of such instructions as shall be requested to be given to the sub-comptrollers of the Excise in the respective counties and afterwards to attend the Lord Treasurer therewith.
Major Huntingdon is of opinion that the control should not be set till the beginning of the second year [of the present farm] and that in the meantime the present Farmers of the Excise be desired to give in a list of all the wakes and fairs in the respective counties.
The Commissioners of the Excise and the Excise Farmers are called in about the nomination of the four gaugers. The Farmers say it is against a clause in their patent. The Commissioners say there is a power given by Act of Parliament to appoint them. The Farmers submit it to the Lord Treasurer's consideration and withdraw. They are called in again and are told by the Lord Treasurer that these four gaugers are of some use to the King but that they shall give no disturbance or prejudice to the Farmers.
John Sone to be waiter and searcher at Greenwich loco Custis, who surrenders.
A warrant for Mr. Finch and Mr. Edward Wingate for a quarter to Michaelmas last on their salaries : [to be drawn] on the Excise.
The old Farmers of the Excise (William Dashwood, Alderman Breedon and Geo. Dashwood) are called in, with Col. Birch, the Auditor of the Excise, [and are heard] concerning the arrears standing out on the Additional duty of Excise. Alderman Breedon confesses the agreement made for the Additional duty on behalf of his partners and conceives there is equity in their case for a defalcation. They demand the interest of their advance money, which was 13,500l., against which Col. Birch lays the interest of the money they now owe to the King. The Lord Treasurer will acquaint the King with the whole matter and afterwards return His Majesty's answer to them.
Mr. Weaver to be allowed 60l. upon the receipt of the Chimney money for Surrey and Southwark : to be charged upon the 800l. due from Sir William Doyley.
On Wednesday next the officers of the Works are to attend ; and also the new Farmers of the Law Duty.
Sir Edmund Turner to attend on the same day and one of the [late Customs] Farmers about the receipt of 4l. per tun on wines.
The Lord Treasurer directs that the salaries of the two Secretaries [of State] be taken off the wood farm and settled on the Customs for the future.
The Lord Treasurer directs 500l. to Sir Martin Wescomb on his entertainment of 40s. a day. In the margin. Done.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 154-5.]
Nov. 16. The Lord Treasurer directs a tally to be struck for 500l. for Lady Pooley. In the margin. Done [meaning : letter written to the Receipt to strike same].
Write Sir Ro. Howard to pay 95l. to the poor of St. Magnus : [as royal bounty].
[List of payments charged upon the] Customs.
Per week. Per an.
s. d.
To the Treasurer of the Navy and
Victuallers 5,769 4 7 300,000
" the Ordnance 576 18 5 30,000
" Tangier 490 7 8 25,500
" the Great Wardrobe, monthly 2,000 0 0 24,000
" contingencies, monthly 2,000 0 0 24,000
" Ambassadors and Public Ministers, monthly 3,333 6 8 40,000
" the Treasurer of the Chamber, monthly 2,500 0 0 30,000
" pensions and other payments usually paid at the Exchequer out of Customs contained in another list : to be paid quarterly according to such particular directions as the Lord Treasurer shall give 11,525 0 0 46,100
" fees and salaries payable at the Exchequer : to be paid quarterly upon such directions as the Lord Treasurer shall give 7,500 0 0 30,000
For interest of money to be borrowed : to be paid monthly upon the Lord Treasurer's directions 2,500 0 0 30,000
Total per an. to be paid at the Exchequer 579,600
Which together with the sum of 22,521l. 16s. 2d. payable at the Custom House upon pensions in the whole amounts to 602,121l. 16s. 2d.
[Ibid. pp. 156-7.]
Nov. 18.
Wednesday.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mr. Hugh May and Mr. Packer called in. Mr. Backwell to pay in all the Portugal money [the remain of the Queen's dowry] in his hands into the Exchequer ; and the 500l. paid by Mr. Chiffinch for the repairs of Windsor [is] to be repaid to Chiffinch by Mr. May out of the said money.
The Lord Treasurer to speak with Sir Charles Harbord about the fees demanded in the Exchequer from the officers of the Works [on payments of money to them] and also about the fees demanded [on the moneys issued] for the garrison of Tangier.
The officers of the Works are to attend the Chancellor of the Exchequer about their method of accounting.
An order for 2,100l. for the Works, whereof 1,400l. for their ordinary and 700l. for their extraordinaries. To be written for immediately. In the margin : Done.
[Warrant for] a year's salary for the officers of the Works.
[Ordered] that 371l. 6s. 4d. be paid weekly by the Treasurer of the Navy to the Victuallers from the 24 June, 1674, forward, deducting what has been already paid them on that accompt, being 4,827l. 2s. 4d.
A warrant to be drawn for employing 600l. already received upon the extraordinary of the Works in manner following, viz. 300l. for Lord Windsor's new lodgings and 300l. for the Duke [of York's] stables at St. James's.
The Lord Treasurer to move the King this afternoon for [a decision as to what is to be the amount of] such salary as His Majesty shall think fit to allow to Mr. Kent as Cashier of the Excise.
The officers of the Alienation Office are called in, who move for the renewing of their grant as formerly, which said grant expires at Lady Day next.
Sir Geo. Courthorp, Sir Edmd. Turner, Alexander Halsall : Commissioners, 200l. per an.
Edward Nicholas : Receiver.
Nathan Crew : Master of Chancery.
Henry Clark : Clerk of the entries.
Samuel Rodes : Clerk of the indorsements.
Warrant to the Auditor to allow the old Farmers of the Customs 6d. per for collecting the 4l. per tun on wines.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 158-9.]
Nov. 19. A warrant to be drawn for tallies upon the Farmers of the Hearthmoney, viz. for 25,000l. to the Treasurer of the Navy [being] for a quarter to the Yards. In the margin : Done.
[Ibid. p. 159.]
Nov. 20. The order of Council concerning the Merchants Adventurers is to be read on Monday afternoon next. All parties [concerned therein are] to be summoned.
The order of Council concerning the petition of Robert Yate and [others] merchants of Bristol, is referred to the Customs Commissioners.
As is also the order of Council concerning Monsieur Jupper, a Guernsey merchant.
The keepers of Somerset House Garden [is] to be paid his warrant for 150l.
"To present [to] my Lord the instruments of stop of payments in the Exchequer."
A warrant to be drawn for Major Trelawney for 200l. for one quarter due at Michaelmas last.
[Ibid. p. 159.]
Nov. 23.
Wallingford House. Monday.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Sir John Duncomb, Attorney General, Sir Charles Harbord.
Sir William Bucknall, Mr. Breedon and the [two] Aldermen Foorths (the old Farmers of [the London] Excise) are called in. The Lord Treasurer acquaints them that he will move the King to make them an abatement of 3,788l. 4s. 0d. out of 30,218l., which the Auditor returns them in arrear. Sir William Bucknall and his partners humbly pray his Lordship to make the abatement of 7,000l. out of the 27,000l. The Lord Treasurer refers this proposal of abating 3,788l. to the Farmers' consideration whether his Lordship shall recommend it to the King ; desiring them to take two or three days to consider thereof and to return him their answers thereon.
Mr. Breedon comes in alone. He says the [abovesaid Excise] Farmers will accommodate Sir Stephen Fox's desires for money and prays the Lord Treasurer, in the name of his partners, to move the King for an abatement of 7,000l. out of the 27,000l.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, p. 160.]
Nov. 24. Mr. Pepys to take care for the future that in all warrants for making ships free the words "Custom Free" be left out. A letter to be written to him to that purpose.
Warrant for 12,000l. for two weeks' [proportion] to the Navy. In the margin : Done.
Lord Chandos to have 150l. In the margin : Done.
The Duke of York's 600l. for buildings at Hampton Court is to be placed on the Works : and [the] 400l. for hangings [is to be placed] on the Wardrobe.
A warrant to be drawn for the Earl of Lindsey for 1,000l. per an. as a Gentleman of the Bedchamber : to be upon the Customs.
The King's waiters at the Custom House are to have half a year [on their respective salaries].
[The petition from] Mr. Rooks, merchant of Exeter, is referred to Sir Ch. Harbord.
[Ibid. pp. 160-1.]
Nov. 25.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mr. Edward Deering to be discharged out of custody. The Auditor to state his accompt.
A warrant to be drawn to pass the Jamaica stores Customs free.
The Lord Treasurer to move the King in Council this afternoon for a proclamation for vending the King's farthings.
Write to Mr. Hoar to send a weekly accompt of the disposal of the farthings.
Mr. Slingesby to be paid 1,500l. : which is to be directed [charged] upon the order for 6,000l. for the Coinage Duty.
Mr. Sherwin's petition is referred to the Attorney General for a report
On Friday next the allowance of the moneyers [of the Mint] for [the coining of] small money is to be considered.
Send to the Auditor to prepare Mr. Slingsby's accompt according to the report allowed by the Lord Treasurer and Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The Farmers of the Law Duty are called in concerning the defalcation demanded by reason of the Recognizances. Their petition is read. Their farm is 26,500l. [sic] per an. : the 2s. 6d. [duty on] Recognizances would have risen to 10,000l. per an., as Mr. King has computed it : upon which they pay for a proportionable defalcation or [to be permitted to] become accomptants to the King. The Auditor of this receipt is [ordered] to give the Lord Treasurer an account what the Farmers may have made of this farm and also [as to] Sir Robert Atkins what he formerly made thereof. The Law Farmers are to attend [again] next Wednesday.
Sir Thomas Strickland and Sir William Blackett's petition read for defalcations on the Salt Farm from 1672, Lady Day, to 1673. Mr. Thursby, Counsel [for said Farmers] desires it in respect of some ships lost, and secondly because after the farm was taken the King prohibited the importation of salt from Scotland.
Mr. Raife's petition is granted according to the Surveyor General's report.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 161-2.]
Nov. 28. The Lord Treasurer directs Dr. Board, the Professor of Law at Cambridge, to have one year of his pension. In the margin : Done [i.e. warrant drawn].
[Ibid. p. 162.]
Nov. 30. Sir Stephen Fox to let Mr. Butler (Hudibras) have 200l. In the margin : Done [i.e. letter written to Fox to this effect].
[Ibid.]