Minute Book: December 1676

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 5, 1676-1679. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1911.

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'Minute Book: December 1676', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 5, 1676-1679, (London, 1911) pp. 89-98. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol5/pp89-98 [accessed 25 April 2024]

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December 1676

Dec. 1.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The Auditors are called in about the fee farm rents. The absent Auditors are to be quickened to return their answer and a true list of all the rents remaining which are answered [sic for unsold]. These particulars to be delivered with all speed.
Mr. Boon and Mr. Lindsay are to attend on Wednesday next the 6th inst with Mr. Northcote upon his [Northcote's] arrear of 1,867l. 5s. 0d. (1,876l. 3s. 5d.) and the two first are to show upon what quarter they are registered.
A copy of the proposal for the Law farm is to be sent to Mr. Seymour and Mr. Maydwell who are to return their observations thereon to the Lord Treasurer.
The Earl of Ranelagh and Lord Hatton are to have one quarter of their pensions.
[Treasury Minute Book p. 235. Day Book p. 115.]
Dec. 6. Wednesday. The state of the bankers' case upon the three queries and their answers [thereto are to be considered this day].
Mr. Killegrew to attend [on this day] with his proposal about tin.
Mr. Long, Mr. Tooker and Mr. Salmon to attend [this day] about their pretensions to coal mines in the king's manor of Stratton super Fosse.
Marcellis Jacopson's case to be heard [this day] and one of the Customs Commissioners is to attend.
The Contractors of the Chimney money [are to] attend [this day] with the Attorney General upon a complaint against Justice Rich.
Mr. Connop [to attend this day] upon his petition concerning the Forest of Sherwood.
[Day Book p. 115.]
Dec. 6.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Attorney General, Solicitor General.
Mr. Justice Rich and the other Justices of Southwark are called in upon a complaint of distress against the Chimney money [Farmers'] officers, who refused to obey the [said] Justices' warrant for the re-delivery thereof. The Attorney General says that the Act of 14 Charles II. makes the occupier stand chargeable with the duty but the Act of 16 Charles II. directs that in case of poverty &c. the landlord shall pay ; which he, the Attorney General, conceives makes no alteration of the former law, the Act declaring that the landlord shall pay where the tenant is not solvent. The Solicitor General speaks to the same purpose. The Justices of Peace say there were no divided houses at all in the case of Vickers now complained of before the Lord Treasurer. The Attorney General says if the houses were always in the possession of paupers they ought not to pay, but if the landlord, since the Act, has divided his houses or else lets them to paupers he ought to be answerable for the duty. The Justices say that the officers of the Chimney money to avoid trouble immediately repair to the landlord for the duty (which they, the Justices, conceive they ought not to do) and declare the tenants paupers. The Lord Treasurer says it shall not be in the choice of the officer to pronounce a pauper without due certificate made. The Attorney General objects suppose a pauper neglect or will not take forth his certificate must the King lose his duty? The Lord Treasurer conceives in this case if the paupers wilfully neglect to take out their certificates in such cases the distress may be taken because neither the Justice nor the Chimney officers can take them out for them without their own application. The [Hearthmoney] Farmers offer to join issue with Vickers and try the legality of this distress at law. Vickers refuses to go to law by consent but abides by the determination of the Justices. The Justices and Farmers both agree to bring this point to a trial. In the mean time Vickers' goods are to be restored [on his] depositing the money [due for the duty] in Justice Freeman's hands till the cause be determined. The case agreed on by both parties is : Quere : whether a house that was before the time mentioned in the Act of 16 Car. II. demised to a pauper and shall after that time come into the landlord's hands and shall be demised again unto another pauper, whether in such case the landlord shall be liable to pay the duty of Hearthmoney for such house?
[Treasury Minute Book V. pp. 235-7.]
Dec. 6.
[afternoon] Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mr. Tooker and Long called in upon their pretensions to a lease of a coal work in Stratton super Fosse, held of the Duchy of Cornwall. Mr. Long begs a lease (if Tooker's copy be void). Mr. Tooker represents to the Lord Treasurer that he originally petitioned the Treasury Lords for a lease, but that the Surveyor General advised the Treasury Lords to grant it in copy. [It is] agreed that Mr. Long shall have what my Lord Treasurer's warrant contains as to his own lands and that a constat be made out thereupon.
The petition of Jacob Marcellis is read and dismissed [the Lord Treasurer] allowing only 50l. for victuals and in case he expects any further favour [he is] to apply to the King in Council.
[Treasury Minute Book V. p. 237].
Dec. 8.
Friday,
Mr. Killegrew to attend [this day] with his proposal about tin.
[Day Book p. 115.]
Dec. 8.
Treasury Chambers. Friday.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mr. Russell and Mr. Millington called in. Mr. Connop's petition is read concerning Birkland and Billagh in Sherwood Forest and the destruction of timber there. Mr. Corbyn's certificate is produced and read giving an account of the destruction of the timber in Clipston as also in Birkland and Billagh under pretence of fee trees. Mr. Millington says that the Duke of Newcastle has a grant [of the right] to sell all his own wood in the forest and that the herbage and pannage is granted by King Charles I. to Gosling and his heirs. A report is ordered to be drawn up upon the petition.
Mr. Lindsay and Mr. Boon called in with Mr. Northcote (Northcoat) concerning an arrear of 1,867l. 3s. 5d. (1,876l. 3s. 5d.) due from the said Northcote on [his receipt of] the subsidy and [which is] claimed by said Lindsay and Boon in part of moneys advanced upon the credit of that [subsidy] Act. Mr. Lindsay submits it to his Majesty's and the Lord Treasurer's pleasure and gives way to Mr. Northcote's discharge. Mr. Boon refuses to withdraw his caveat.
Memorandum : to enquire what money is coming in to the King from the subsidy as also from the Eleven Months' tax. Query : in what course of payment the Navy orders upon these taxes stand and in what course Mr. Boon stands.
Sir William Bassett and Mr. Brown are called in upon their proposal for the farm of the Law Duty. The Lord Treasurer acquaints them as they insist to have allowance for whatsoever shall be diminished by Act of Parliament so they [are] to be accomptable for any addition [to said duties by any Act of Parliament. Further, they are] to submit to a Comptrol for the concealments, such [Comptrol] as the Attorney General shall advise. They take till to-morrow to attend the Lord Treasurer with their final resolutions.
Mr. Hoare and Mr. (George) Evans are to be heard next Wednesday (the 13th inst.) touching [the dispute between them as to] their pretensions to the office of Clerk of the Irons and Surveyor of the melting in the Tower. Their petitions are to be looked out.
Mr. Griffin moved the Lord Treasurer to know what interest his Lordship would please to allow to Mr. Chace upon a tally for 700l. on the Hearthmoney payable in Sept. next. His Lordship agreed to allow 6 per cent. per an. till the time of payment and no more.,
Col. Howard of Suffolk's proposal [is ordered to be included among] the papers for the King.
The accompt of Mr. Kent for the 2 per cent. for money advanced for the forces, being 1,600l. [is ordered to be included among] the papers for the King.
"My Lord Montagu's petition" for a chace in Geddington Woods &c. is granted. The warrant to be prepared accordingly.
Memorandum : Speak to Sir Cha. Harbord about the Lord Treasurer's power of granting of offices.
[Treasury Minute Book V. pp. 238-9.]
Dec. 9.
Saturday.
Major Huntington and Mr. Parsons to attend in the morning [of this day].
[Day Book p. 115.]
Dec. 11.
Monday.
A meeting [is to be held this day] at the Treasury Chambers about the Excise : where the King will be pleased to be present.
[Ibid.]
Dec. 13.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Surveyor General [of Crown Lands].
Mr. Strode and Mr. Agar, the Surveyor of the Woods, [Trent South], are called in. The Lord Treasurer acquaints them that he understands that two axes are going in the New Forest to the destruction of the timber there, one of the woodward's and another of the surveyor's. The surveyors say the axe is in the custody of the preservators of the forest. Sir Charles Harbord says the constant practice hath been to have but one axe viz. the King's and that sealed up and no use made thereof but by the Lord Treasurer's warrant. The Lord Treasurer will direct that there shall be but one axe viz. the King's and that [one] lodged and sealed up in such hands as Sir Chas. Harbord shall think fit.
A reference is ordered to Sir Cha. Harbord to examine the Surveyors [of the Woods'] pretensions as to the having the warrants for cutting of wood directed to them and not to the woodward and to consider how to prevent the destruction and abuses in the forests throughout England. A general order to be prepared by Sir Charles Harbord for the settling the axe &c. to be sent to all the forests throughout England.
To enquire after the money paid by felling of wood for the subsistence of the keepers in New Forest pursuant to the privy seal of 1671 for 560l. per an. A consideration to be had of a fit subsistence for the keepers there and how [on what fund] that shall be settled [in lieu of being raised by wood sales].
Mr. Tooker and Mr. Long called in upon their pretention to the coal mines [in the King's manor in] Stratton super Fosse. Mr. Long pretends to the coal mines in Perthill by virtue of Salmon's interest and his leave in Aug. last to contract for a lease. Mr. Tooker says this Toby Salmon was a partner with him three years ago as an adventurer and Mr. Tooker has been at great charges to discover and prosecute the King's right and open the coal mines. Mr. Long agrees to pay Mr. Tooker all his charges he has been at in digging pits in Plummers Close and to restore him all his timber. [Ordered :] Mr. Long to have a lease of Plummers Close only. Agreed by both parties before the Lord Treasurer and his Lordship directs that the constats shall be returned back to Sir Charles Harbord to be amended accordingly and each party to pay 20s. per an. upon their lease.
Mr. Hoar and Mr. Evans are called in upon their petition for the office of Clerk of the Irons and Surveyor of the Melting House [at the Mint]. Serjeant Pemberton says that Mr. Hoar had the reversion of those offices granted unto him by the last King after Mr. Swallow. Mr. Sawyer says that Mr. Hoar has the office of Comptroller of the whole Mint granted unto him and so the other office[s] are inconsistent in the same person because he would be a comptrol upon himself. Sergt. Pemberton says they are not inconsistent. Mr. Sawyer says they are, for that there ought to be three keys kept by three distinct officers viz. one by the Comptroller, another by the Master [of the Mint] another by the Surveyor of the Melting. Mr. D'Oyly examined says there ought to be three so kept but that he hath observed but one key made use of and that by Mr. Hoar and his son. Upon the whole debate the Lord Treasurer is of opinion that the offices of Comptroller [of the Mint] and Surveyor of the Melting and Clerk of the Irons are not fit to be in one hand and is therefore of opinion that the caveat put in against the passing of Mr. Evans' grant should be withdrawn and the Attorney General is to be advised with how to proceed to the vacating Mr. Hoar's reversional grant.
Sir William Bassett and his partners are called in about their proposal for farming the Law Duty and agreed to the amendments then made of their proposal and the same [is ordered] to be transcribed and signed and sent to the Attorney General to be prepared into a grant.
[Treasury Minute Book V. pp. 239-41.]
Dec. 15.
Friday.
The [Sub] Farmers of the Excise on coffee, sherbet, cider and tea [are this day] to be heard with Mr. Lownds upon their pretensions to damage by the late proclamation for suppressing coffee houses.
Sir Robert Thomas and Dr. Butler to be heard upon the naming of Mr. Babington, one of the trustees [to their deed of settlement].
[Day Book p. 116].
Dec. 15. Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mr. Griffin to have 1,000l. advanced on his tally for [sic for on] the Law [duties] ; for the Yeomen of the Guard and the King's and Queen's footmen : "and my Lord Treasurer agrees to allow 8 per cent. if he [Griffin] can [get an] advance [on] the tally of 7,500l."
The Sub-Farmers of the Excise on coffee are called in with Mr. Lownds about their damages [caused] by the late proclamation. The Lord Treasurer orders that they shall add the places of abode to the names in their list and that the King's counsel [the Attorney and Solicitor General and the King's Counsel at law] attend at a second hearing to be had of this matter. [The Lord Treasurer] to speak with the King about the [said Sub] Farmers compounding with the Grand Farmers [of Excise] they being on uncertainty from six months to six months.
Sir Robert Thomas, Mr. Gibbs and Mr. John Thomas and Mr. Robert Sanderson called in. Sir Robert Thomas and Mr. Gibbs disagree about the naming of trustees. Sir Robert excepts against Mr. Babington's name. Agreed by both that the lease shall be in the names of Bushy Mansell [and] Thomas Mansell his son and the warrant and transcript were amended accordingly in the Lord Treasurer's presence. Sir Robert desires to have the perusal of this lease because he is to be a party to it and desires to shew it to his counsel. Agreed that he shall have it till Monday next. Mr. Sanderson moves that if Sir Robert Thomas and Mr. Gibbs do not agree by Monday then the assignment made of other part of the estate to Mr. Oliver Hale (wherein he [Sanderson] is concerned) may not be stayed. Mr. Gibbs opposes this. The Lord Treasurer directs that if Sir Robert Thomas and Mr. Gibbs in behalf of Dr. Butler &c. do not agree their difference by Monday next then the assignment made to Mr. Oliver Hale (wherein Mr. Sanderson is concerned) shall not be stayed but shall pass.
[Treasury Minute Book V. pp. 241-2.]
Dec. 20.
Wednesday.
Mr. John Tiler, merchant, is to attend at the Treasury Chambers at 3 in the afternoon [of this day] to give the Lord Treasurer satisfaction about receiving anchorage money in the Downs.
Mr. Theodore Jacobson and Mr. Long the Chief Searcher [of London port] are to attend [this day] about the seizure of guns on board the Unicorne of Dantzic.
Mr. Arden to attend this day with his accounts of the Bishopric of Durham and Auditor Aldworth to come with him.
Mr. Goddard, Receiver of [Hearthmoney in] Suffolk, and Mr. Smallwood are to attend [this day].
[Day Book p. 116.]
Dec. 20.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The petition of Mr. Goddard, Receiver of Hearthmoney in Suffolk is read, praying a supersedeas of all process against him. A certificate [is ordered] to be produced from the Lord Chief Baron of the great losses and vexatious suits he has been at to recover the King's duty. Mr. Le Gouch to forbear the prosecution against Mr. Goddard for 1,400l. till the latter end of the next term.
Mr. Jacopson and Mr. Long are called in. Mr. Long says the guns are woth 300l. and ought to pay customs. Mr. Jacopson says no duty was ever demanded for guns that were only for defence of the ship and not for merchandise. Mr. Bertie [is ordered] to attend the [Customs] Commissioners hereupon on Friday morning to know their opinions whether guns bought by a foreigner for defence of their ship shall pay custom.
Mr. Tiler is called in about a certain duty demanded for anchorage in the Downs. He produces the King's warrants dated 1665 constituting Charles Porter or his deputies to receive the duty. He says he has not acted these five years in it.
The Lord Treasurer directs 1,000l. for the Yeomen of the Guard and the [King's and Queen's] footmen : to be provided by Mr. Bertie [? out of secret service money in his hands].
The Lord Treasurer consents to allow 8 per cent. for the advance of 700l. to Mr. Chace payable on the Chimney money [farm rent due] in Sept. next.
Mr. Arden the Receiver [of the late sede vacante revenues of the Bishopric of Durham] and the Auditor [Aldworth, auditor of said Arden's account] are to attend the Chancellor of the Exchequer with the accompt and Sir Rich. Wiseman is to attend at the same time with the objections.
On Friday afternoon, the 22nd inst., the Lord Treasurer and the Chancellor of the Exchequer are to meet at the Treasury Chambers about the goldsmiths' report.
Send to the Wine Licences Commissioners to know in what course the Duchess of Cleveland's order for 8,589l. would have come to be paid after the payment of 17,000l. [in] tallies and when after [the like for] 24,000l.
The Lord Treasurer directs 600l. net money to be paid to Lord Colepeper by tally on the Hearthmoney [farm rent due] in March next over and besides 42l. which is to be allowed for taking up the money : so that the tally is to be struck for 642l. which is directed [charged to be paid] upon Mr. Bertie's order for 10,000l. for secret service.
The Lord Treasurer directs that the money due from the city of York in Mr. Strickland's account shall be assigned to Sir Courtnay Pole and that care be taken to prosecute the making up of that account.
[Treasury Minute Book V. pp. 242-3.]
Dec. 22.
Friday.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
[Order for] 250l. [to] Sir Adam Browne.
Sir Robert Howard to be writ to for an account of persons who have lent their money into the Exchequer originally [i.e. directly or not through the Goldsmiths].
[Ordered] that all [the] referees sign the report [made upon the subject] of the three queries made to the goldsmiths "when they [the said referees] were agreed." Sir Robert Howard to send to the Lord Treasurer a copy of the order given him by the Lord Treasurer for the distinguishing the goldsmiths' accounts. Auditor Aldworth to make a report upon the several castings [up] of the bankers' interest and [such report is] to be antedated.
Sir Robert Howard, Sir Geo. Downing, Sir Cha. Harbord and Auditor Aldworth are to meet at the Treasury Chambers to-morrow at 4 in the afternoon.
Such of the bankers as have not delivered in the particulars of their assigned orders [orders speculatively bought by them or assigned to them by the original holders] are to do it forthwith.
Sir Robert Viner to have notice that the Lord Treasurer is making a report [on the bankers' debts and interest] but his [said Viner's] account being imperfect in point of principal his Lordship's report will be therein imperfect. Besides there are some objections (against Sir Robert Viner's account) made by Sir Robert Howard which are directed to be sent to said Viner who is desired to return his answer thereunto forthwith.
Mr. Ramsey and Mr. Bernard are to attend the Lord Treasurer on the Wine Act accounts of Mr. Wadlow and his partners. The order of [the Privy] Council is to be looked out after the holidays.
Sir Phillip Lloyd is to attend the Lord Treasurer to-morrow with the papers relating to the tin [affair].
The Lord Treasurer directs that 100l. (directed by the King this day in Council to be paid to the minister and churchwardens of St. Mary Overy's in Southwark ; to be distributed to the poor watermen there) shall be presently paid by Mr. Bertie out of [moneys in his hands for] secret service.
[Treasury Minute Book V. p. 244.]
Dec. 23.
Saturday
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Sir Robert Howard, Sir Charles Harbord and Auditor Aldworth attend about the goldsmiths' business. The three queries are read with their [the goldsmiths'] answers and no exception [is] taken to the answers but [they are] allowed. The Lord Treasurer directs that Auditor Aldworth shall sign a state of the accompt of the goldsmiths' principal money with the several ways of casting [up] the interest.
Sir Robert Howard presents to the Lord Treasurer a paper book relating, to the goldsmiths' debts digested under three heads (1) of money lent to the public offices for the king's immediate service (2) of money lent relating to public service (3) of money lent to private persons that relate not to any public service : which (he says) is clearer than A.B.C. The Lord Treasurer directs (upon perusal of this book) that an alphabet or epitome be made thereof the better to illustrate the same.
Sir Robert Howard is desired to give an account of such persons as really lent money into the Exchequer and what was lent and what has been assigned by the bankers to other persons and not comprehended in the bankers' accounts.
Sir Robert Viner and Alderman Backwell are called in. Sir Robert Viner says he thinks he shall want [is up to the present short of] about 9,000l. of his two years' interest for that part of his debt which has not yet passed the Auditor. Alderman Backwell says he wants about 1,600l. or 1,700l. of his two years' interest.
Sir Robert Howard has now taken [away] his own paper of calculation of the goldsmiths' accounts and promises to send it back with a state of those accounts as they came to him. Thereupon [upon the receipt thereof] the goldsmiths are to attend the Auditor and make it clear how the respective sums formerly demanded by them (of which Sir Robert Howard has the account) comes now to be increas ed to the sums now demanded.
Auditor Aldworth is to make up Sir Robert Viner's accompt by Friday next.
Petitions read [and orders thereon given as follows] :
Fabian Phillips [his petition read together with] the Lord Chief Justice North's report. To be further examined and query whether all parties were heard before the Lord Chief Justice : and the Lord Treasurer will give directions about Phillips's salary when Sir Robert Atkins's account comes.
Lady Windham. The arrears cannot be paid.
James Smith. Mr. Bertie to speak with the assignes of his debt and his pretentions for his land [are] to be stated.
John Hoove. To be recommended for Maundy Thursday.
Richard King. Nil.
Robert Gyde. [He] is paid [up or according] to the order of [the Privy Council].
Anne Finch. To be kept to the Irish establishment.
Geo. Clive. No process [is to issue] against him till something be settled.
Mr. Ward. Allowed.
Mr. Clare. Allowed.
Mr. Hen. Hall. Nil.
Lady Laughorne. To have 100l. presently.
Mr. Johnson. To be referred to Sir Cha. Harbord.
The Old Farmers [of the Revenue] of Ireland. [My Lord is] to advise with the Attorney General.
William Bishop. To be paid as others are.
Vanderhoven. Nothing can be done yet.
Mr. Sands. To be referred to Sir Cha. Harbord.
Mr. Jenkins. [Referred] to ditto.
Mary Bott. [Referred] to ditto.
Elizabeth, Countess of Anglesey &c. [Referred] to ditto.
Mr. Widdows. A certificate to be produced.
Tho. Harris. My Lord Treasurer to see the old establishment of the Mint.
Mr. Santen. To be paid as the law directs.
Maurice Keating. To be shewed [? by my Lord Treasurer to the King] with the Irish papers.
Fra. Sandford. To be inquired into.
Officers of the Tally Court. Query : how [this has been] practised [in the past] ?
John Low. To be considered when Sir Robert Atkins' account comes.
Mr. Powny. Query [where is] the [Surveyor General's] report of the value?
Doorkeepersof the [Commissioners for the] Union with Scotland]. To be paid : but query what is reasonable?
Thomas Rooks. Nil.
John Smith. Nil.
Mr. Singleton. Nil.
Mr. Haesdonck. Nil.
Alderman Backwell. Nil.
Mr. Henshaw et al. Nil.
Ramsgate fishermen. Nil.
Tho. Kinaston. Nil.
John Underwood. Nil.
John Wickham. Nil.
Fra. Pointz. Nil.
Mr. Hayes. Nil.
Edw. Norton. To be [put] on the [papers of] minutes for the King.
Mr. Ayloff. To be done.
Antho. Sturt. To compare the cases mentioned in the petitions.
Northampton town. Agreed.
Sir John Coryton. Agreed.
William Bedborow. Observe the order of [the Privy] Council.
William Pix, Mr. Taylor. My Lord will not alter the legal course.
William Barrow. Agreed. A warrant to be granted.
Mary Browne. The case to be stated particularly.
John Vayly. My Lord Treasurer will have a state of all arrears due to castles not on the establishment [of the Forces and Garrisons].
John Worrell. [The matter] to be examined by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Hugh Holland. Sir Robert Viner to be spoke with to pay him.
Tho. Browne. Query [to ask] of the bankers what they intend to do in the case of such who had money [of their own lent] in the King's hand and [per contra] owe the King money.
The yeomen prickers. To be paid as [far as] others [are].
Cornwal Bradshaw. Nil.
Lodowick Bray. Done.
Robt. Ford. To be paid as others.
Ann Pendrel. Query : What is desired and expected.
Tho. Mawson. To be certified by the Greencloth.
Mr. Godolphin. A state to be made of Mr. Tuder's case.
Mris. Ince. [Her case] to be examined.
Mr. Watson. A lease to be made.
Sir Tho. Ingham. Something is directed already.
John Staly. To be considered when the certificates come.
Mr. Brisco. [His business] to be examined.
Sir Hugh Cholmly. To be sent to Mr. Pepys and the Lord Treasurer to be put in mind of it.
The Lord Treasurer having been spoken to by the King and applied to by Mr. Progers in the behalf of Samuel Dale who travelled with His Majesty in France and [whom] the King calls his friend, his Lordship orders that as soon as a vacancy presents amongst the landwaiters in the port of London no warrant pass for bestowing it on any other but that his Lordship be minded of Mr. Dale for a deputation to [be bestowed on] him.
[Ibid. Treasury Minute Book V. pp. 246-7.]