Entry book: July 1695, 1-5

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 10, 1693-1696. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1935.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Entry book: July 1695, 1-5', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 10, 1693-1696, (London, 1935) pp. 1135-1148. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol10/pp1135-1148 [accessed 24 April 2024]

July 1695, 1–5

Date. Nature and Substance of the Entry. Reference.
July 1. Same to the Auditor of the Receipt to issue 300l. to Dalby Thomas, ut supra, p. 1122, out of the loan made by Bartholomew Burton on credit of the Hereditary and Temporary Excise. Disposition Book XIII, p. 19.
Same to the Surveyor General of Crown Lands. Send your report as soon as possible on William White's petition for a lease of several quit rents in Okehampton and Plympton, cos. Cornwall and Devon. Out Letters (General) XIV, p. 403.
July 2. Treasury warrant to the Receipt for tallies of pro on the Post Office revenue for 18,000l. to Bartholomew Burton in repayment of so much lent thereon this day at the Exchequer. Money Book XII, p. 551.
Treasury allowance of the salary bill, detailed, of the Excise Office for the quarter ended June 24 last: total, 5,494l. 9s. 4d. Ibid, pp. 552–4.
Same of the same quarter's salary bill, detailed, of the Office for Stamped Vellum, etc.: total, 468l. 4s. 5½d. Ibid, pp. 555–6.
Treasury warrant to the Receipt to issue 1,390l. 18s. 2d. to the Earl of Ranelagh on any unsatisfied order in his name as Paymaster of the Forces: to be by tallies on the Keeper of the Hanaper in Chancery: and to be paid to John Shales, who was Commissary General of the Forces, to satisfy divers persons for provisions furnished and services performed to the Forces in the late encampments on Hounslow Heath: as by said Earl's report of May 25 last. Ibid, p. 557.
July 2. Money warrant for 51,246l. 7s. 1½d. to the Bank of England to complete the 100,000l. due to same for the year ended at June 1 last [under the terms of the Act as follows]: to be satisfied out of loans to be made by John Gee on credit of the Post Office revenue: there having been paid 48,753l. 12s. 10½d. out of the five-sevenths of the Tonnage Duty, and the Act for said Duty [5 and 6 Wm. and Mary, c. 20] having empowered the payment of each year's deficiency thereof out of any unappropriated moneys without further warrant from the King. (Money order dated July 3 hereon.) Money Book XII, p. 557. Order Book IV, p. 210.
Same for 160l. to Bostock Toller, gent., deputy sheriff for co. Herts, for rewards paid for arrest etc. of three highwaymen and four burglars, viz. Joseph Draper, alias Joshua Draper, William Smith, alias Kirkham, Edward Hinton, highwaymen; and Thomas Owen, John Leach, Geo. Shallcross and Henry Sherne, felons and burglars, who were convicted in St. Albans and Hertford in Jan. and March last: being 40l. for each highwayman and 10l. for each felon and burglar, according to the late Act of Parliament and Proclamation for apprehending such. (Money order dated July 4 hereon.) Money Book XII, p. 558. Order Book IV, p. 214.
Same for 75l. to William Weket, Keeper of the Treasury Chambers, for 1695, June 24 quarter, on his allowance for salary and for firing, candles etc. for the Treasury Office. (Money order dated July 4 hereon.) Money Book XII, p. 558. Order Book IV, p. 211.
Same for 50l. to George Macy as imprest towards his expenses in prosecuting clippers, coiners and counterfeiters. (Money order dated July 4 hereon.) Money Book XII, p. 558. Order Book IV, p. 211.
Treasury warrant to the Postmasters General to pay 23l. to William Aglionby, who was lately sent into Spain to settle some affairs relating to the Post Office: said sum being the charge of passing a privy seal for his 40s. a day allowance for that service. Money Book XII, p. 559.
Money warrant for 91l. to Mathew Prior for three months, Jan. 30 last to May 1, on his ordinary as remaining for his Majesty's service at the Hague. (Money order dated July 4 hereon.) Ibid, p. 559. Order Book IV, p. 211.
Same for 364l. to George Stepney for three months ended April 29 last on his ordinary as Minister to the Elector of Saxony and Landgrave of Hesse Cassel. (Money order dated July 4 hereon.) Money Book XII, p. 559. Order Book IV, p. 211.
Treasury warrant to the Receipt for tallies on the Post Office revenue for 174l. 15s. 6d. to Thomas Lloyd, Paymaster of the Works: to be to defray the charge of works done and to be done in St. James's Park. Money Book XII, p. 559.
Money warrant for 100l. to Thomas Rymer as reward for his service and on account of the charge in carrying on the work of transcribing such of the original Records of Leagues and other most solemn Acts of State between the Crown of England and foreign nations as are yet remaining in the Treasury [of the Receipt] at Westminster, for the preservation thereof. (Money order dated July 4 hereon.) Ibid, p. 560. Order Book IV, p. 212.
July 2. Treasury allowance of the incidents bill, detailed, of the Hackney Coaches Office for the period 1694, June 8, to 1695, May 4: total, 274l. 4s. 0d. Money Book XII, p. 561.
Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to direct the respective outport collectors to pay the 1695, June 24 quarter's salary bill of the outports; to a total of 5,467l. 7s. 0d. for established salaries and 563l. 5s. 0d. for additional salaries, or 6,030l. 12s. 0d. in all. Ibid.
Same [to John Knight, Customs Cashier] to pay same quarter's salary bill of the Customs, London port: total, 5,134l. 7s. 6d. for established salaries and 121l. 5s. 0d. for additional salaries, or 5,255l. 12s. 6d. in all. Ibid, p. 562.
Same to same to pay 15l. 6s. 8d. to John Thorowkettle, messenger [of the Chamber] attending the Customs; for 1695, June 24 quarter. Ibid
Treasury allowance of said Thorowkettle's bill of 15l. 6s. 8d. for same quarter as messenger [of the Chamber] attending the Treasury Lords. Ibid.
Money warrant for 5l. to John Hurst for same quarter for extraordinary pains in carrying letters on several occasions for his Majesty's service. Ibid, p. 563.
Same for 25l. to Nahum Tate for same quarter on his fee as Poet Laureat. Ibid.
Same for 695l. 4s. 11d. to the officers of the Works for salaries between 1692, Christmas, and Michaelmas, 1694, as follows:— Ibid, pp. 563–4.
79l. 16s. 10½d. to Sir Christopher Wren for 1¾ years to Michaelmas, 1694, as Surveyor General.
47l. 18s. 1½d. to William Talman for same as Comptroller.
63l. 17s. 6d. to Thomas Floyd [Lloyd] for same as Paymaster.
31l. 18s. 9d. to Jo. Oliver for same as Master Mason.
31l. 18s. 9d. to Mathew Banks for same as Master Carpenter.
18l. 5s. 0d. to the executors of Joseph Radcliffe for 1½ years to 1694, June 24, as late Purveyor.
3l. 0s. 10d. to Cha. Hopson for one quarter to 1694, Michaelmas, as present Purveyor.
116l. 3s. 4d. to William Dickenson for 1¾ years to 1694, Michaelmas, as Clerk Engrosser.
34l. 0s. 9d. to William Ireland for same as Master Glazier.
31l. 18s. 9d. to Cha. Atherton for same as Serjeant Plumber.
92l. 1s. 10½d. to Alexander Fort for same as Master Joiner.
31l. 18s. 9d. to the executors of Maurice Emmet for same as late Master Bricklayer.
31l. 18s. 9d. to John Grove for same as Master Plaisterer.
20l. 10s. 7½d. to the executors of Henry Phillips for three quarters to 1693, Michaelmas, as late Master Carver.
27l. 7s. 6d. to Grimlin Gibbons for one year to 1694, Michaelmas, as present Master Carver.
31l. 18s. 9d. to Mathew Roberts for 1¾ years to 1694, Michaelmas, as plumber at Windsor.
July 2. Treasury warrant to the Receipt for tallies of pro on the Post Office revenue for 3,365l. to Lord Edward Russell, Treasurer of the Chamber (or his assigns), in repayment of so much lent by him [or them] June 27 last on said revenue, for the Yeomen of the Guard. Money Book XII, pp. 564–5.
Money warrant for 50l. to Mahaleel Windham for himself and the other seven Doorkeepers of the House of Peers for their service in attending said House in the last session of this present Parliament. Ibid, p. 566.
Treasury order for payment to be made on the copy of a lost money order No. 270 for 1,000l. to William Bach (Bache) in repayment of so much lent by him 1694–5, Feb. 12, on the third 4s. Aid. Order Book IV, p. 210.
William Lowndes to the Auditor of the Receipt to issue 32,739l. 14s. 3d. to Charles Bertie on the unsatisfied order in his name as Treasurer of the Ordnance: to be issued out of loans to be made by said Bertie on credit of the 300,000l. per an. of the Customs: said sum being intended to complete the 47,739l. 14s. 3d. which is the full proportion out of the said [300,000l. per an.] fund for service to be performed by the Office of Ordnance. Disposition Book XIII, p. 19.
Same to same to issue (out of any disposeable money in the Receipt) 100l. to me [Lowndes] on the order in my name for secret service. Ibid.
Same to Bartholomew Burton to pay (out of moneys in your hands for discounts and rewards of loans) 141l. 18s. 8d. to John Knight, Customs Cashier, being [for interest at] 6 per cent. and [reward at] 2 per cent. on moneys by him overpaid or advanced weekly for his Majesty's service on account of the fourth part of the old Customs between 1694, June 30, and 1694–5, March 16, “as by the enclosed account.” Ibid, pp. 19–20.
Appending: said account, shewing said Cashier's weekly overpayments within said period.
Same to the Treasurer of the Chamber to assign to the gardeners (for their wages and allowances for one year to Sept. 29 next) the 2,187l. 0s. 8d. directed to you, ut supra, p. 1125. Ibid, p. 20.
[?] Same to the Auditor of the Receipt to advance (out of loans on Marriage Duties) 1,821l. 2s. 5d. to George Doddington, Agent to the Treasurer of the Navy, on account of wear and tear: to be imprested to Mr. Meesters upon account of what he has disbursed for his Majesty's service. Ibid, p. 21
July 2. William Lowndes to the Excise Commissioners to report on the enclosed proposal [missing] for improving the revenue of Excise. Out Letters (General) XIV, p. 403.
Same to Mr. Blathwaite. I have yours of the 13th old style. As to the allowance to Mr. Schuylenburg for the return of money paid him on account of his disbursements for the Army in Flanders to 1694, Dec. 31, his demands amounted to 3 per cent. for remittances and exchange, but there being some dispute here about adjusting that matter, the Treasury Lords desire you to make a final agreement with him as to his demands and to procure a royal warrant for same and they will comply therewith. Ibid, p. 404.
I also enclose two warrants for the King's sign manual, viz. for 300l. to Speaker Paul Foley and for 627l. 10s. 7½d. for one quarter to the Lottery pensioners.
[?] Same to the Commissioners for Transports. In your report of June 6 last on the petition of William Phippard, owner of the Mary, Thomas Gentle master, you certify that 2,340l. 17s. 4d. remains due to him for freight of provisions etc. whilst the said ship attended Sir Francis Wheeler in the West Indies. Please certify my Lords how much has been paid on account of the Martinique service and how much is still claimed to be due. Ibid.
July 2. Same to the Commissioners for Stamped Paper. Send my Lords tomorrow your report on the proposals made by the stationers. Ibid, p. 405.
Same to the Earl of Romney to report on the petition of Dr. Robert Gorge, praying an allowance of 1l. 5s. 0d. a day as Secretary to the late Duke of Schomberg, General of the Forces in Ireland, from the death of William Holford to the day said General was killed at the Battle of the Boyne; which allowance he alleges is on the Establishment of the [Artillery] Train. Ibid. XV, p. 10.
Same to the Customs Commissioners to take the opinion of the Attorney General on the matter in your memorial of June 27 last touching vessels having neither midship, beam or deck, viz. how far those vessels are liable to the duty on Tonnage. Ibid.
Same to same to direct their solicitor to recover the Exchequer Court fine of 400l. set upon William Amis of Faversham, mariner, on the information of Mr. Sherman, collector of Faversham port, for concealing and uttering French goods. Ibid.
Same to same to report on the representation made to you by the officers employed in the admeasurement of ships in London port for some additional allowance beyond the com[mission] and provision. Ibid.
Treasury warrant to same to permit Robert Harrison and John Pereira to amend an entry of wines imported in partnership, ut supra, p. 1132, Pereira being an alien who ought to have paid stranger's Custom for his part: the entry of the whole in Harrison's name being done in ignorance, the said Harrison, though an Englishman, being no merchant and is not conversant with the laws of the Customs. Out Letters (Customs) XIII, p. 195.
July 2. Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to establish Henry Davenport (one of the extraordinary tidesmen, Liverpool port) at Sankey Bridge at 15l. per an.; it appearing that for the accommodation of the coast trade to Warrington upon the river Mersey in Liverpool port tidesmen were appointed in 1678 to go by months alternately to reside at Sankey Bridge or [alias] Bank Fields to see the shipping and landing of coast goods, with the allowance of 18d. a day for travel and residence besides the established salary of 20l. per an. [to them as tidesmen at Liverpool]; which was intended as an experiment until it should appear whether Bank Fields would prove a convenient place for the despatch of the coasting trade: which being now experimented and approved the Commissioners desire to establish an officer there at 15l. per an. to save the said charge of 1s. 6d. a day. Out Letters (Customs) XIII, p. 196.
Treasury allowance of the salary bill of a list of five officers of the [late revenue of] Hearthmoney as in full of half a year to 1692, Dec. 25, and likewise of half a year to 1693, June 24, “there being no direction given us [the Commissioners of Excise and Hearthmoney] upon our memorial of the 6th of Sept. last for the discharging of some officers and lessening the salaries of others relating to the Hearth Duty,” wherefore the five officers in question, detailed, have continued in their employment: total for each half year, 465l. Ibid, pp. 196–7. Money Book XII, p. 565.
Treasury reference to S. Travers, Surveyor General of Crown Lands, of the petition of Lancelott Sympson, praying a lease of some lands in the Honor of Penrith and Forest of Inglewood, co. Cumberland, concurrent with [and in reversion of] the lease he enjoys from the Queen Dowager. Reference Book VII, p. 106.
Same to the Customs Commissioners of the petition of Daniel Dobbins, shewing that he has behaved well as a quayman, London port, since 1691; that the oath directed by the late Act of Parliament for Tonnage and Poundage [6 and 7 Wm. III, c. 1] takes off most of his perquisites: therefore praying relief. Ibid.
Treasury warrant to the Clerk of the Pipe for a lease to Sir John Parsons, kt., of a parcel of arable ground called Park Hill, in [the manor of Reigate], co. Surrey, for 31 years, at 30l. per an. without fine. Warrants not Relating to Money XIV, pp. 472–4, 476.
Prefixing: constat and ratal of the premises by S. Travers, Surveyor General of Crown Lands. The parcel contains 100 acres and was formerly in the tenure of Anthony Shepherd and now of Sir John Parsons, and abuts north on lands of the late dissolved Priory of Reigate, in the tenure of said Parsons, east on other lands of said Parsons called Spitlefeilds, south on Ganders Coppice and west on the King's highway leading from Reigate to Croydon.
Followed by: undated entry of the Treasury Lords' signature of the docquet of this lease.
July 2. Treasury warrant to Francis Swanton, Clerk of the Assizes for co. Devon, to deliver to Benj. Overton, esq., Warden of the Mint, or to Geo. Macy, his deputy, the parcel of 156 ounces of clippings and clippers' tools etc., which were put into your hands at the last Assizes at Exeter: all in accordance with the privy seal of 1692–3, Feb. 16, supra, pp. 18–19. Warrants not Relating to Money XIV, p. 474.
Same to Sir William Haward and Sir Jo[h]n Talbot, surviving Trustees for sale of Fee Farms, to contract with James Walsingham, esq., for the purchase of a fee farm rent of 20l. per an. issuing out of the manor of West Dereham, co. Norfolk, at such rates as are usual, see supra, pp. 897–8. Ibid.
Same to the Clerk of the Pipe for a lease to John Evans of the customary duties called Amobrage and Raglat, with the perquisites and profits of courts, tolls of fairs etc., as follows, for 31 years at a reserve rent of one-eighth and of the clear profit arising from the casualties and duties as follows. Ibid, pp. 475, 482–4.
Appending: (1) particular of the premises made out by Cha. Chetwyn, Deputy Auditor for Wales: the said profits of court etc. in the several lordships, manors or commotes of Mallaen, Cayo, Mabelview, Mabedrud, Maenordeilo, Kethynock Forest, Glyncothi and Penant Forest and in the manor or grange of the late monastery of Talley, co. Carmarthen, all formerly part of the possession of Sir John Perrot, kt., attainted and now annexed to the revenues of the Principality of South Wales; viz. the said Custom called Amobrage, 33s. 4d., and the Custom called Raglat, 6s. 8d., and the perquisites of court, 9s., total 49s.; (2) the said Deputy Auditor's memorandum: there are within the said county which do belong to the King several small fairs, commonly called Fair Llanybyther, Llanvihangel, Yeroth [? Ystrad] and Fair Rhos Vach in Pencarreg and in co. Cardigan several other small fairs called Fair Llanibyther, Llanwenog, Llanwnnen, Capel, Silian, Dihewyd and Fair Capell Ilynon, for which there has never yet been anything answered to the Crown; (3) ratal by S. Travers, Surveyor General of Crown Lands, of said particular. “I do not find that it has been practicable heretofore to make leases in such general terms without better information from the proper officer of the nature and value of what is to be granted, which in this case include the royalties of no less than nine manors in Carmarthenshire and the tolls and profits of four fairs in the same county and of six others in the county of Cardigan. I am of opinion that in passing this lease there ought to be care taken that no more than the ancient and accustomed tolls and profits of the respective fairs within named do pass” and that any exaction of higher fairs shall invalidate the lease. The profits thereof have probably been lost to the Crown through the negligence or connivance of the stewards, bailiffs etc., “for I find they were accounted worth heretofore 37l. per an. [communibus] annis and I perceive also that the rent of 40s. set by the Auditor and Receiver for the same duties of Amobrage and Vaglatt [sic] has not been answered neither since 1688. If therefore the lessee shall revive, look after and collect these duties and perquisites again he may deserve encouragement. But I am of opinion that it will be for his Majesty's service, and yet the lessee be satisfied, if your Lordships please to reserve on any such lease an eighth part at least of the clear annual profits which shall arise by the said casualties and duties.”
July 2. Treasury warrant to S. Travers, Surveyor General of Crown Lands, for a particular of a coal work in the manor of Stratton super Fosse, parcel of the Duchy of Cornwall; in order to a lease thereof to George Long at a rent of 1l. per an. for 31 years. Warrants not Relating to Money XIV, pp. 475–6.
Prefixing: report by said Travers on said Long's petition for same. Petitioner already has an interest for two lives in the lands called Perthill wherein is the desired decayed coal work. Treasurer Danby granted a warrant for a lease to petitioner in 1675 at 20s. per an. rent for this coal work and another work in Plummers Close already granted to him. There has not been any profit of the Perthill coal work for many years past. Petitioner desires chiefly to prevent others digging up his ground upon pretence of reviving the said old coal work, “which lying within the manor of Stratton super Fosse in Somersetshire was anciently the inheritance of the petitioner's ancestors until recovered from them by Prince Henry as parcel of the Duchy of Cornwall.”
The Treasury Lords to the Lord Deputy. There is due 2,542l. 8s. 0d. to the several Commissioners of Army Accounts, Ireland, for their salaries to Jan. 25 last; and if same be paid them they are willing to continue their service in the said Commission till Michaelmas next or three months longer if occasion requires, without any further compensation. We recommend this to you as a matter proper for your determination. Out Letters (Ireland) VII, p. 40.
Same to same to report on the enclosed petition [missing] of Dr. Robert George, shewing that with the approbation of Charles II he bought of Col. Christopher Roper a pension of 6s. 8d. a day which by new letters patent, on Roper's surrender, was granted to petitioner for life on the Irish establishment, notwithstanding any reducements of expense there made or to be made: but that, notwithstanding, the said pension is left out of the establishment lately made and petitioner never received any benefit thereby: therefore praying payment of said pension and the arrears thereof. Ibid.
Same to same. By sign manual of 1694, June 22, the Queen approved a proposal for an advance of 5,200l., on credit of the Hearthmoney, for the levy money of four new Regiments for Ireland, and did direct the application of 3,250l. thereof, which was to be remitted to England for such service, ut supra, p. 672. No part of the said levy money has been raised or paid to the Col[onels of the said Regiments], “although the necessity of this affair has engaged us to supply them here with the whole sum of 3,250l.” We desire you to raise the said 5,200l. as speedily as possible by way of credit on the Hearthmoney or by such other methods as you think most advisable and to pay 1,950l. thereof to the three respective Colonels Visct. Charlemont, Visct. Mountjoy and Col. Courthope, or their agents, to complete their levy money and to remit the remaining 3,250l. to London to Mr. Fox and Lord Coningsby to make good to the King the sum advanced as abovesaid. Ibid, p. 41.
July 3. William Lowndes to the Auditor of the Receipt to issue 21,236l. 3s. 5¾d. to the Earl of Ranelagh, on the unsatisfied order in his name for the Forces; 9,072l. thereof out of the purchase money of reversions on annuities and the remaining 12,164l. 3s. 5¾d. out of loans on the Exchequer on Duties on Coals and Glass. Disposition Book XIII, p. 21.
Same to said Earl to apply as follows the abovesaid sum, together with 24,533l. 15s. 4¼d., out of loans already in his hands on the Marriage Duties, making 45,769l. 18s. 10d. in all, viz.: l. s. d. Ibid, pp. 22–3.
in part of 99,274l. 18s. 0d. for the month's subsistence to the Forces in Flanders from June 18 last to July 15 inst. 24,533 15 4¼
in further part of same “and makes 33,000l. issued in part” 8,466 4 7¾
in part of 1,000l. to clear the subsistence to the Forces in England to June 14 last 605 15 4¼
to complete the said 1,000l. subsistence arrears 394 4 7¾
to complete the clearing to the General Officers to Jan. 1 last. 2,158 6 4
for a week's subsistence to the Forces in England to July 8 inst. 7,600 0 0
to the Duke of Schomberg and Leinster on his 4l. a day as Commander in Chief of the Forces in England, 197 days, 1694, April 25 to Nov. 17 788 0 0
to ditto more for so much expended for his Majesty's service to 1695, March 31, as by the warrant of April 12 last 576 0 0
to the families of Lord Galway's Regiment, for five months from Feb. 1 last at 50l. per month. 250 0 0
to the Duke of Bolton for the pay of the officers and soldiers drawn out of his Regiment and sent into Ireland with the Earl of Marlborough, [viz. for the period] 1690, Nov. 1, to Feb. 28 following, being the time they stand respited on the musters. 397 12 6
£45,769 18 10
Same to the Auditor of the Receipt to issue 1,176l. 11s. 9½d. ut supra, p. 1125, to Sir Leonard Robinson out of loans to be made by himself on credit of the Hereditary and Temporary Excise. Ibid, p. 22.
July 3. William Lowndes to the Auditor of the Receipt to issue 13,647l. 14s. 10½d. to Edward Russell, esq., on the unsatisfied order in his name as Treasurer of the Navy; to be issued out of loans in the Exchequer on the Duties on Coals and Glass: to be paid to the Victualling Commissioners: this sum being to complete the sum of 43,647l. 14s. 10½d., which is the full proportion for the service of the Victualling, out of the fund [of the said Duties]. Disposition Book XIII, p. 23.
In the margin: 4,000l. of this sum the Victualling Commissioners were to pay to the Excise Commissioners in part of their debt.
Same to the Excise Commissioners. The abovesaid 4,000l. is in part of what is owing by the Victualling Commissioners for the credit which they have had from the Excise officers in the outports for the service of the Victualling. You are to give the Victualling Commissioners a new credit for 2,000l. and are to signify to your officers not to molest the Victualling officers for what is now owing on the like credit until money shall be provided for satisfying same. Ibid.
Same to same to advance (out of same) 4,000l. to George Doddington, Agent to the said Navy Treasurer, to pay bills of exchange from the Straits drawn by Admiral Russell and Capt. Wilshaw for disbursements for the Fleet there. Ibid.
Same to Mr. Clark to prepare a warrant to be signed by the Lords Justices, to authorise the Earl of Ranelagh to pay 1,390l. 18s. 2d. to John Shales, late Commissary General of the Forces, to satisfy divers persons employed under him in 1687 and 1688. Out Letters (General) XV, p. 11.
[? July 3.] Entry of the Treasury Lords' signature of the docquet of a demise to John Harley at the nomination of Gabriel Armiger for 31 years of the annual rent of 20l. arising out of the manor of West Dereham and concealed from the Crown, ut supra, pp. 897–8, 1141. Warrants not Relating to Money XIV, p. 476.
July 3. Representation to the Lords Justices from the Treasury Lords on the price of guineas. It is obvious that the exorbitant value of guineas at present in England does occasion great importations of gold from foreign parts to the apparent loss and prejudice of the nation. We therefore think it necessary to lay before you a true state of that matter, submitting to you as to what remedy shall be thought proper for preventing so great a mischief to the kingdom. Ibid, pp. 477–81.
By the Indenture of the Mint now in force the Master and Worker covenant to make a 20s. piece of Crown gold to run for 20s. sterling, 44½ to the lb. Troy and every lb. Troy of such gold moneys to be in value 44l. 10s. 0d. and in fineness at the Trial of the Pyx to be 22 carats fine gold and two of allay, which standard for the Crown gold is ordained by the said indenture and the pieces of gold coined in pursuance thereof are usually called the guineas. Nevertheless, a guinea at this day passes in any payment for 29s. 6d. and if be for provisions and goods bought it goes for 30s. in London; and in the several counties of England (according to information) it passes at several different rates, generally higher than the price in London.
Gold of the said standard sold very lately for 5s. 6d. [sic for 5l. 6s. 0d.] an ounce, which is 63l. 12s. 0d. the pound Troy and it is said to be now something higher and the gold of a guinea (being in weight 5dwt. 9 4/10 grains, supposing the gold to be but 106s. per ounce) amounts to 28s. and 7d.
The balance of trade hath produced so great a difference in the exchange or remittances of money that it is become necessary to export either gold or silver to answer bills in foreign parts and at this time the exportation runs wholly upon the silver, it being the present practice (which is managed chiefly by foreign merchants) to import vast quantities of gold into England by which they have gained 20 or 25 per cent. profit more or less according to the difference of its value here and abroad, and to export for it silver which they buy in England at 6s. 2d. for every ounce of English standard and sell in their own country at a much lower price without being losers by the silver itself, because the difference of its price is recompensed by having it abroad to answer bills of exchange in which our loss abovementioned is profit to them.
If the balance of trade has been one cause why gold and silver have both risen in England, then it may be considered why the value has not been equally advanced, it being evident that gold is risen almost a third part, to wit from 21s. 6d. to 30s., whereas silver is not raised above a sixth part, to wit from 5s. 2d. to 6s. 2d. or thereabouts.
The disproportion seems to arise from two causes; the one is the badness of the silver coin, which is so clipt that the bags brought to the Exchequer for revenue taxes or loans commonly want about one half of their due weight. The 100l. which should weigh 32lb. 3oz. Troy (and something more) commonly weighs 16 or 18 pound more or less including in the same many mixt pieces of base metal: and from this diminution and baseness of the silver coin it is come to pass that the same, especially the half crown, doth not pass from man to man without great difficulty, and many times and in many places is wholly refused by persons who choose to take guineas at an exorbitant rate rather than trust to their own skill in distinguishing good silver from bad or meddling with that which perhaps will not pass from them again. The other cause of the said disproportion may be a vile practice, which is vulgarly (though perhaps improperly) called stock jobbing of guineas, that is where one gives a premium or reward to another to have the refusal of a number of guineas at a limited price and within a limited time: which practice in the case of guineas, as it doth usually in the case of joynt stock, serves to put a fictitious, imaginary or too high a valuation by which many of the King's subjects have been and are cheated, and the public (as to guineas at least) is endamaged in so high a degree that it may be well worthy the consideration of authority to put a stop thereunto.
It remains now to be considered whether the Officers of the Exchequer and the Public Receivers [of taxes] should take or refuse guineas at the price for which they are now current. The gentlemen of the Bank who are now under a contract for returning the King's moneys [by exchanges from the Provinces to London] and others do desire that guineas may be refused at the Exchequer and by the King's Receivers as the only expedient to bring down their price, insisting that greater prices are still given here by foreigners for bullion and silver in order to its exportation for Holland and other places, which as they say will prove a greater and more general mischief than that of clipped money: that this extravagant price for gold is all given to foreigners who export silver for returns, to our double loss: that notwithstanding the late Act, melted or English silver is exported, it being risen to above 6s. per oz.; whereas it was sold since the proroguing of Parliament for 5s. 5d. the ounce and scarce any was to be had in London: that if this pernicious trade continue it will (besides the mischief abovesaid) utterly disable them to pay the Army, in regard these gold traders not only export silver, but also ruin the exchange by taking up all the money they can here to pay for their gold and [also] all the bills of exchange which they can procure in England [as] in return of those vast quantities of gold [which] they import from all parts of Europe: and that the King will lose the benefit designed by the late Act [6 and 7 Wm. III, c. 17, § 13] in the 700,000 ounces which were to be exported if little or no silver is to be had in London, at least not without an exorbitant price.
On the other side it is alleged that if the Tellers in the Exchequer and the Receivers of the King's revenue and taxes (whilst they find duly occasion to turn back counterfeit halfcrowns and shillings which are brought to them in great numbers by collectors and others who perhaps receive them from the people through ignorance or want of skill and are frequently prejudiced if not undone thereby) should continue to refuse guineas at the present current price it will in all places defer the bringing in of the said taxes and revenues; that in some places it may occasion the total loss of the King's money and that great complaints have been made by the Receivers to the Agents for Taxes “whereof extracts are hereto annexed”: in [all] which there seems to be something of weight.
It ought to be observed that if the King's Receivers be permitted to take guineas at a stated price (for instance at 30s. apiece) it is likely that they may by selling at a higher price (for instance 31s. for there will always be some difference in the putting of guineas) acquire to themselves an unjust profit, which perhaps some of them may have in prospect.
And it is very likely that if a stated value should once be put upon those pieces of gold to govern the public receipts in taking the same they will nevertheless still be rising something higher, so that there may be a continual occasion of renewing or altering the determinations which shall be made concerning their valuation.
However, the circumstances of affairs make it necessary to have this question (to wit whether the King's officers shall continue to refuse or whether they shall take guineas at the current price) to be forthwith decided by public authority.
Appending: (1) computation:
1lb. gold = 12oz. Troy = 240dwt. = 5,760 grains. 1lb. gold is coined into 44½ guineas ergo 5760/44.5 = 129.439gr. or 5dwt. 9gr. 438/1000 in a guinea.
then 1oz. gold = 20dwt. = 480 grains.
the price of gold is admitted to be 106s. per oz. Troy if 480gr. = 106s. 129.4gr. = 28l. 6s. 3d. 63984/100000 which is the value of gold in the guinea when gold is at 5l. 6s. per oz.
(2) An abstract of the several letters lately received from the Receivers General of Taxes relating to their receiving of guineas.
(a) Henry Whitebread and Thomas Richards, Receivers General, co. Beds ([their total receipt being] about 6,800l.) and co. Herts (about 9,900l.), by their letter of 13th June say they shall not be able to bring in half their taxes unless they take guineas at 30s. a piece: and pray direction therein.
(b) Robert Chaplinn, Receiver General, co. Suffolk (about 17,500l.), by his letter of 16th June says the collectors did resort to him to know if he would take guineas at 30s. and 31s. apiece; if not, they should not be able to get in their taxes: and therefore prays direction therein.
(c) Nath. Rich, Receiver General, co. Essex (about 21,000l.), by letter of 14 June says the collectors resort to him to know if he would take guineas at 30s. apiece, otherwise they must be forced to make distresses and how to sell the goods at all for current money they know not.
(d) Gilbert Spencer, Receiver General, co. Kent (about 19,500l.) by letter of 16 June to Mr. Peters, the Teller's clerk, says the collectors have taken many guineas at 30s. each and says they are current so in the country and swear they cannot get white money to change them.
(e) The Receivers for cos. Berks (9,700l.), Bucks (11,000l.), Oxford (9,000l.), Warwick (9,400l.) and Sussex (13,000l.) make the same personal complaints as above.
(f) The correspondent of the Receiver General for co. Dorset (7,900l.) says he would now pay 6,000l. if guineas could pass at the Exchequer at 30s. apiece, though the money is not yet due to be paid in to the Exchequer.
(g) Also many of the Receivers' correspondents here in town (viz. co. Norfolk, 17,000l.; North Wales and Chester, 20,000l.; Northampton and Rutland, 12,000l.) allege they cannot receive their bills [of exchange out of the country] unless they take guineas at 30s. apiece which is the occasion of keeping vast sums of money cut of the Exchequer; particularly North Wales, Norfolk and other places.
July 3. Report to the Lords Justices from the Treasury Lords on the Order in Council of June 18 last relating to the robbery of Mr. Remon's house in the Island of Jersey by nine soldiers of Col. Mordaunt's Regiment, wherein Samuell Dassell, an officer of the Customs there, is accused to have procured a key to be made for Robert Ware, the chief contriver of that robbery, with which they got out of the castle by one of the sally ports and returned by the same. Warrants not Relating to Money XIV, p. 475.
We have spoken with the Customs Commissioners concerning same and also have heard Mr. Dassell thereon and do not think there is any ground for this accusation. We think he is fit to be sent back to his former post at Jersey.
July 4. Money warrant for 100l. to William, Duke of Devon[shire], for one year to 1694, Michaelmas, on his salary as Justice in Eyre, Trent North. Money Book XII, p. 569.
William Glanvile (in the absence of William Lowndes) to Mr. Franckland. My Lords are informed that the Sieur de La Bretonniere of Suffolk Street, in the parish of St. Martins in the Fields, lately died possessed of a good estate and that he bequeathed several legacies to his relations who are now in France. You are to enter a caveat and to do any other matters on his Majesty's behalf which his service requires on this occasion. Out Letters (General) XIV, p. 403.
Same to the Customs Commissioners to seal some goods of the Lord Deputy at the Earl of Essex's lodgings in Whitehall in order to their transport to Ireland and to permit the Lord Deputy to export 8–10 horses thither. Ibid, p. 404.
PreviousTable of contentsNext