Minute Book: October 1714, 14-31 | British History Online

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 29, 1714-1715. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1957.

'Minute Book: October 1714, 14-31', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 29, 1714-1715, (London, 1957) pp. 16-23. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol29/pp16-23 [accessed 22 April 2024]

October 1714, 14-31



	TREASURY IN COMMISSION: UNDER LORD HALIFAX, SIR RICH. ONSLOW, SIR WILLIAM ST. QUINTIN, EDWARD WORTLEY AND PAUL METHUEN.
Oct. 14.	Minutes.
	Memorandum.
	His Majesty King George by a Commission under the great seal of Great Britain bearing date the 13th day of October anno primo did revoke the letters patent of Queen Anne dated the 30th day of July in the 13th year of her reign whereby his Grace Charles, Duke of Shrewsbury, had the office of Treasurer of the Exchequer granted to him during her Majesty's pleasure: and by the same Commission his Majesty did appoint Charles Lord Halifax, Sir Richard Onslow, Sir William St. Quintin, bart., Edward Wortley and Paul Methuen, Esq., to be his Majesty's Commissioners for executing the said office of Treasurer of the Exchequer: with power to confirm and approve all those orders and warrants which have been already signed by her late Majesty's Treasurer of the Exchequer and remain unexecuted and which to the said Commissioners should seem reasonable and for his Majesty's service. Treasury Minute Book XXII, p. 1.
Oct. 14. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.	Present: the said Lords Commissioners.
	Ordered: make an estimate of the Income and Expense upon the Civil List branches.
	Send for an account of what is due to the Flanders Battalions to Michaelmas 1714 for subsistence or clearings.
	[Write] to the Navy Commissioners for an estimate of what the wages to ships under orders to be paid off hath amounted to from the times they were ordered to be paid off till the respective times of their discharge, and (for such as are not paid off) till this day.
	[Write] to the Treasurer of the Navy for an account of the money and other effects in his hands.
	Sir James Bateman et. al. of the South Sea Company are called in. They congratulate [my Lords on their appointment as Lords Commissioners of the Treasury] and desire my Lords’ protection, which my Lords promise. Sir James desires [payment of their interest for] the quarter due at Michaelmas. My Lords propose [paying the Company by] tallies on Malt and Land Tax. The gentlemen will lay it before the Court of Directors.
	[Write] to Brigadier Petit to attend my Lords tomorrow morning at ten o'clock.
	Make a state of the revenues of Scotland and of the Establishments and charges thereupon and a list of the officers employed therein.
	The like for Ireland.
	My Lords for the service of the revenue will humbly move the King that where any persons shall be recommended to his Majesty for any offices or places relating to the revenue his Majesty before he is engaged by such recommendations will be pleased to permit their Lordships to examine the qualifications of such persons for the places desired and if they have any opinion to offer to represent the same to his Majesty. Ibid., pp. 1–2. [Against each of the above minutes William Lowndes has written the initials of the Treasury clerk to whom the execution of the minute was committed. For the import of these initials see infra, pp. 30–31.]
Oct. 14. [? Afternoon.] Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.	Present: the five Lords of the Treasury.
	On Tuesday morning my Lords will consider the affair of the Tin Contract.
	State the revenue of Wales and Cornwall and the charges thereon.
	The Governor and Directors of the Bank are called in. They congratulate his Majesty's favour to their Lordships, desiring their long continuance. My Lords promise their protection.
	[Write] to the Navy Commissioners to state the debt of the Navy at Michaelmas 1714.
	Prepare an account of what was owing to the Civil List when the application was made to the House of Commons in 1713, [shewing] what that application was, what provision was made by Parliament on that account and what payments were made of the said debt and what remains unsatisfied [see supra, Vol. XXVIII, p. 399.]
	The Directors of the S[outh] S[ea] Company [are called in. They] say their Court of Directors is willing to take tallies on Land Tax and Malt for the last quarter [due] on their [yearly interest] fund. My Lords order the warrant to be drawn accordingly.
	See how far Mr. Compton and Mr. Nicholas have accompted [for their receipts and payments of money for the late Queen's private pensions and bounties].
	Mr. Bridges [is] called in. His demand of 24,090l. is read and his demand for Mr. Hudson and Dr. Cotesworth. My Lords will consider them.
	[Write] to the Customs Commissioners to attend with their presentments on Monday next at five o'clock in the afternoon. Ibid., p. 3.
Oct. 14.	Papers Read.
	Letter from Lord Townshend ref[erring] to the Treasury Lords a memorial from the Envoy of the States General relating to two thirds of the charge of transporting the Palatine Troops from Italy to Spain and the extraordinary charge of their serving there. Referred: to Mr. Brydges to state the fact relating to the agreement and what has been done upon it. Register of Papers Read at the Treasury T 4/19, p. 155.
Oct. 18. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.	Minutes.
	Present: Lord Halifax, Sir William St. Quintin, Mr. Wortley, Mr. Methuen.
	Mathew Barton to be Comptroller of the new Lottery.
	Cornelius Caley, Esq., to be Commissioner in the Alienation Office in the room of my Lord Castleton.
	[Write] to the Commissioners of the Stamp Duties to attend at the [Treasury] Office tomorrow.
	Upon reading two petitions of the churchwardens and overseers of St. Margaret's, Westminster, that they may have for their poor the boards and cloth and rails from Westminster Hall to the west end of the Abbey and from the Palace to the Abbey at the Coronation my Lords consent thereto.
	The Customs Commissioners are called in. A report for Thomas Edwin is read and agreed to.
	[Write] to the Customs Commissioners to represent to my Lords how far the General Account and Cash Account of the Customs respectively are passed; what obstructions have been [to the preparing of same] and such other observations as may conduce to the better management of that revenue and [the better] accounting for the same; and particularly the method of passing and paying debentures and taking bonds and discharging the same.
	[Write] to the Governors of the Post Office to be here on Friday next about franking of letters. Respited.
	Enquire how [far] Mr. Prior's appointments [ordinary and extraordinaries] have been paid, what he has received and what he demands and what authority there is [upon which] to ground the payments. Treasury Minute Book XXII, p. 4.
Oct. 19.	Present: Lord Halifax, Sir Richard Onslow, Sir William St. Quintin, Mr. Wortley, Mr. Methuen.
	The Directors of the East India Company are called in. They congratulate my Lords’ promotion and desire their protection and admittance when they have occasion. My Lords answer as they desired.
	My Lords ask if they cannot help the vent of the King's tin. They [reply that they] will apprize their Court.
	Mr. Buscowen and others are called in about the Tin Affair. The state of the case is read. My Lords will deliberate upon it and come to a resolution. If these gentlemen have more papers to offer they are desired to lay them before the Board.
	[Write] to the Commissioners of the Tin to send my Lord a state of the Tin Affair, how much they have paid for yearly, what the price and charges thereupon have amounted to yearly, how much they have sold yearly and for how much, and what remains and what prospect they have of a greater or lesser vent of tin for the future.
	Mr. Walpole, Paymaster of the Forces, and Mr. William Poultney, Secretary at War, are called in. Mr. Walpole will state the case of the Garrisons of Gibraltar and Port Mahon from the times they have been in the possession of the Crown.
	[Write] to the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital and Mr. Walpole to send my Lord a state of that Hospital, the present Establishment, what pensions are now paid, in what manner, and by what authority and for what time. Collect all the papers in the [Treasury] Office concerning the Hospital. Ibid., p. 5.
Oct. 22	Present: all the five Lords, ut supra.
	[My Lords direct] 50,000l to be issued [to the Treasurer of the Navy] for wages: towards putting seamen out of pay.
	The Auditors of Imprests’ state of [the various accomptants’] accounts is read, Mr. Harley and Mr. Foley [the said Auditors] being present.
	The Auditors are to report to my Lords the particulars which obstruct the passing of my Lord Falkland's final account [as former Treasurer of the Navy].
	[Write] to the Navy Commissioners to hasten the examining and signing the ledgers belonging to Sir Thomas Littleton's final account [as former Treasurer of the Navy].
	[Write] to the Navy Commissioners and Victualling Commissioners to represent to my Lords the obstructions in passing my Lord Orford's final account of the Victualling [for the year 1 Jan. 1698–9 to 31 Dec. 1699].
	Write to Mr. Mead to prosecute Mr. Povey's account of Sick and Wounded.
	Write to Capt. Thomas Savery to admonish him to prosecute his accounts [of Sick and Wounded].
	The Solicitor of the Treasury [is] to enquire of Mr. Nutin's security.
	[Write] to the Commissioners of Transports to certify how the balance stands upon Mr. Mason's final account.
	[Write] to Auditor Harley to state my Lord Ranelagh's final accounts [as Paymaster of the Forces] so far as he can at present and to represent the defects: and [write] to the executors [of the Earl of Ranelagh] to appoint some person to attend the Auditor for this purpose.
	[Write] to the executrix of Mr. Whitfield to bring in his final account [as former Paymaster of Marines] and to prosecute the same, as also the account now depending.
	[Write] to Sir Roger Mostyn to deliver in his accounts [of the Marines] and to prosecute the same.
	Write to the co-heirs [co-heiresses] of Mr. Harbord to finish his account [as former Paymaster of the Forces in Ireland].
	[Write] to the Auditors [of Imprests] to certify the supers on Mr. Bridges’ account for 1708 [as Paymaster of the Forces Abroad].
	[Write] to the Earl of Carnarvon that he will please to deliver to the Auditors all his accounts for those years for which his accounts [as James Brydges as Paymaster of the Forces Abroad] are not now before them and [to] use all diligence in prosecuting the same and [those of] his accounts [which are] not yet declared.
	[Write] to Mr. Castle et al. Commissaries of Provisions in Spain and Portugal to render their accounts.
	Write to the executors of Charles Bertie [former Treasurer and Paymaster of the Ordnance] to pay in the balance of his account.
	[Write] to Mr. Eversfield to bring in and prosecute his accounts [as Treasurer and Paymaster of the Ordnance].
	[Write] to the executors of Nicholas Baker to prosecute his account [as late Solicitor to the Treasury].
	[Write] to Mr. Thomas Taylor to prosecute the former accounts of the Works.
	[Write] to the Surveyor General [of Crown Lands] to lay before my Lords a state of the bailiwick and manor of St. James's, what parcels thereof are in lease and for what terms to come and under what rents payable to the Crown.
	[Write] to the Excise Commissioners to attend [my Lords] on Monday evening at five of the clock. Ibid., pp. 6–7.
Oct. 22.	Papers Read.
	Memorial [read] from Mr. Thomas Day for an employment. My Lords will consider him in due time. Register of Papers Read at the Treasury T 4/19, p. 155.
Oct. 26. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.	Minutes.
	Present: all the five Lords.
	[Write] to the Jewel House to know what quantities of plate are in the [Jewel] Office; how much is delivered out by indentures [and under obligation] to be returned; and to whom; and what the charge of plate has amounted to yearly for four years past.
	Look out the representation to the Queen made four or five years ago by the then Lords of the Treasury.
	[Write] to the Secretary at War to lay before my Lords a list of all [Officers] on Half Pay upon the Regimental Lists and likewise an account of all persons put upon half pay by special warrants.
	[Write] to Mr. Moor to send in [to the Auditors of Imprests] his remaining accounts current [as late Paymaster of the Forces Abroad].
	The Treasurer of the Navy and the Paymaster of the Army and the Secretary at War are to send in their [money] demands on every Tuesday morning and attend themselves the day after.
	Mr. Ayslabie, Treasurer of the Navy, is called in. His paper of [money] demands is read and my Lords’ directions [are endorsed] thereupon.
	[The Principal] Officers of the Ordnance are called in. Their memorial is read.
	Mr. Walpole [as Paymaster of the Forces] demands 8,578l. 2s. 21/7d. for subsistence for the Flanders Regiments: which is ordered.
	Mr. Moor's demand [as late Paymaster of the Forces Abroad] for 1,936l. 5s. 6½d. for subsistence to Officers at Minorca and Gibraltar to 24 Oct. 1714 is read and ordered.
	The papers concerning Gibraltar [are] to be considered this afternoon at five o'clock. Mr. Poultney to attend then.
	[Write] to the Commissioners of Excise to attend to-morrow at five o'clock in the afternoon.
	Let Mr. Wilcox repair immediately to Waltham Forest to put a stop to the destruction of the timber and deer (my Lords being informed thereof) and to give my Lords an account how he finds matters there.
	Mr. Cæsar [is] called in. His papers are read and [my Lords’] answers [are endorsed] upon them.
	[Write] to the [Principal] Officers of the Works to take care of the materials which were used in or about the kitchen at Cotton House and to cause them to be brought into the King's stores.
	Write to my Lord President [of the Privy Council] that my Lords will be ready with their report about St. Christopher by Thursday next if there be a [meeting of the Privy] Council [on that day]. Treasury Minute Book XXII, p. 8.
Eodem die. Afternoon.	Present: Charles, Lord Halifax; Sir Richard Onslow; Sir William St. Quintin; Edward Wortley, Esq., and Paul Methuen, Esq.
	[Write] to the Victualling Commissioners to be here to-morrow at five o'clock in the afternoon.
	Direct Mr. Borret to wait on my Lord Halifax. Ibid., p. 9.
Oct. 26.	Papers Read.
	Petition [read] of Messrs. Ang[elo] Corticelli and [Joseph] Como [of London, merchants, and his Majesty's subjects] about money due to them from M. [Mr. Luke] Justiniano [of Genoa] which they desire may be stopped out of the Genoese loan [the trustees of the 180,000l. loan made by the owners of the two Genoese ships (which had been seized and carried into Port Mahon by Capt. Forbes) being entitled to sell South Sea Stock for repayment of said loan: but petitioners desire that a stop may be put thereto until their debt is paid according to the undertaking given by the Marquis Sauli to Mr. Chetwynd, her Majesty's Envoy at Genoa, at the time of the seizure of the said two ships]. [My Lords order] Mr. L[owndes] to speak with Mr. Viceti about this and to acquaint him that my Lords having considered this petition think there is great equity in the petitioners' case. Their Lordships recommend it to him that this matter may be amicably composed amongst themselves without the [English] Government interposing in it.
	Mr. Brydges’ report [is read] upon the petition of Lieut. Col. Purcell relating to arrears of pay. To be considered another time.
	Mr. Howe's report [is read] upon the petition of Sir Thomas Travel relating to his son's arrears. To be respited for some little time.
	A letter [read] from one Eliz. White offering to make a discovery of abuses in Chelsea Hospital. [My Lords order] Mr. Borret to go to her in prison (she does not say where) and acquaint my Lords what she has to say. Delivered to Mr. B[orrett].
	Letter [read] from Virginia without a name dated 20 July 1714 proposing that every clergyman there should be allowed a hogshead or two [? of tobacco] Customs free for augmenting their livings. Read. Register of Papers Read at the Treasury, T 4/19, p. 156.
Oct. 27. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.	Minutes.
	Present: all the five Lords.
	[Write and] desire the Trustees for [South] S[ea] Stock to be here to-morrow morning.
	Write for copies of the Establishments of the salaries and other charges for managing the several branches of the revenue and for the Establishment of the officers of the Works.
	[Likewise of] the King's charge in the Treasury.
	[Likewise for] copies of the Establishments in all the Offices: viz., such as have not sent copies already.
	[Send] to the [Principal] Officers of the Works to be here this morning.
	Mr. Baron Smith [Chief Baron of the Exchequer in Scotland] is called in. He will wait on my Lords again.
	The Trustees of the South Sea Stock are called in. An advance of 200,000l. by them is proposed. They [tell my Lords they] will soon return answer.
	Send to the Surveyor of [Crown] Lands to know by what rules he rates any fines or rents upon particulars or constats for leases.
	[Write] to the two Auditors of the [Crown Land] Revenues to lay before my Lords the states of all accounts of the Land revenues depending before them respectively. (fn. 1) Treasury Minute Book XXII, p. 10.
Eodem die. Afternoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	The Excise Commissioners [are] called in. Their papers are read and [my Lords’] answers [are endorsed] on them.
	[Write] to the Taxes Commissioners to be here to-morrow morning.
	The Victualling Commissioners [are] called in. Treasury Minute Book XXII, p. 11.
Oct. 27.	Papers Read.
	Mr. Auditor Harley's report [is read] on Mr. Hill's accompt of 1,000l. set in super upon him in Mr. Foxe's account [as Paymaster of the Forces in the Low Countries 1704–5]. To be considered when another privy seal passes for [the accounts of James Brydges, now] my Lord Carnarvon [as late Paymaster of the Forces Abroad].
	Petition [read] of Edward Turner, Esq., relating to an assignment of part of the offreckonings of General Hill's Regiment [which assignment was] made to him [Turner] by Mr. Peters; whereof my Lord Carnarvon stops payment. Referred to Lord Carnarvon to certify the cause of the said stop.
	Mr. Auditor Harley's report [read] upon Mr. Morrice's petition [William Morrice, son and executor of Thomas Morrice, late Deputy Paymaster of the Forces in Portugal, see 11 Nov. 1713 and 27 March 1714, supra, Calendar of Treasury Books, Vol. XXVII, p. 429; XXVIII, p. 30]. To be read again when my Lord Carnarvon and Auditor Harley are at the Treasury. Register of Papers Read at the Treasury T 4/19, p. 157.
Oct. 28. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.	Minutes.
	Present: Charles, Lord Halifax; Sir Richard Onslow; Sir William St. Quintin; Edward Wortley, Esq., and Paul Methuen, Esq.
	[Write] to the [Principal] Officers of the Mint to lay before my Lords any propositions which have been made or which they shall think fit to make for making half pence and farthings of English copper.
	Mr. Meriel (Merryll) presents a memorial for 103,427l. 16s. 11¾d. in lieu of the S[outh] S[ea] Stock transferred by Mr. How to the Trustees for Sale [of South Sea Stock to be by them realised or advanced upon, with intent to apply the proceeds to the Forces]. He will propose the proportions in which he will [wish to] receive it.
	The Taxes Commissioners are called in and their papers are read. [My Lords order] John Harneis to be continued in the receipt of taxes for part of Lincolnshire.
	James Adye, officer for the Duties on hides in Horsham Division is to be removed to another collection.
	Prepare letters for my Lords to sign for [hastening the] bringing in [the arrears of] the House [Duty] money for the year 1713 in Wales.
	Sir Theodore Janssen and Mr. Knight say that the Trustees for sale of South Sea Stock will advance 100,000l. on Saturday and 50,000l. on Tuesday November 9 and 50,000l. on Nov. 16 next on the money arising by sale of South Sea Stock [on condition of their] having an allowance of interest after the rate of five per cent. per an.
	Direct the officers of the Exchequer to attend then [on the abovesaid dates of Saturday next and Nov. 9 and 16 prox. for the purpose of receiving said money]. Treasury Minute Book XXII, p. 12.
Oct. 29.	Present: all the five Lords.
	Look out the instructions for payment of the Forces in Catalonia. Ibid., p. 13. 1714.
Oct. 30.	Present: Lord Halifax, Sir Richard Onslow, Sir William St. Quintin.
	[Write] to the [respective Exchequer Court] Auditor to certify how the accounts of Mr. Wilcox do stand, with a state of his last account [as Surveyor General of Woods, Trent South].
	Upon reading a letter from Mr. Thomas Taylor in relation to the passing the accounts of Thomas Lloyd, Esq., deceased, late Paymaster of the Works, praying either that money be issued to him for defraying the charge thereof or else that directions may be sent to the officers concerned not to demand any fees of him, my Lords ordered: that these accounts do pass in the several Offices without being stopped on account of their fees: and that when the accounts are passed an account of the said fees be laid before my Lords to be defrayed at the King's charge. Ibid., p. 14.
Oct. 30.	Paper's read.
	Thomas Taylor, deputy to Thomas Lloyd, Esq., late Paymaster of the Works, in his letter of this day's date represents that he has no money in his hands for prosecuting the said accounts and desires money for that purpose or a warrant to the several Offices for passing said accounts without fees, the acct. [account or accountant] being debtor to him and he no ways obliged but in honour to prosecute the same. Ordered as above. Register of Papers Read at the Treasury T 4/19, p. 158.