Minute Book: November 1714

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

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'Minute Book: November 1714', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 29, 1714-1715, (London, 1957) pp. 23-35. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol29/pp23-35 [accessed 19 April 2024]

November 1714

Nov. 2.
Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.		 Minutes.
Present: all the five Lords.
Mr. Walpole desires he may not be directed to make any payments to the outpensioners of Chelsea Hospital for any time before Michaelmas last. Treasury Minute Book XXII, p. 15.
Nov. 2. Papers Read.
Representation [read] from Lord Tyrawley relating to money due from Lieut. Gen. Wills's Regiment of Marines to Mr. Peter Potter, agent to his Lordship's Regiment, praying that it may be stopped towards making good what the said Potter owes to his [Lordship's said] Regiment. [Referred] to Sir Roger Mostyn.
Letter [read] from the Victualling relating to Mr. Papillon's accounts as Cashier for the Victualling under the Earl of Orford [former Treasurer of the Navy]. To be sent to the Auditors of Imprests. Register of Papers Read at the Treasury T 4/19, p. 159.
Nov. 3.
Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.		 Minutes.
Present: all the five Lords.
[Write] to the Justices of the Peace, who are entrusted to prevent as much as they can the infection of cattle, to be here with Mr. Borret to-morrow morning.
Mr. Ayslabie, Treasurer of the Navy, [is] called in. His paper [of demands of money for the Navy] is read and [my Lords’] orders [taken thereupon are endorsed] upon it.
[My Lords direct] 29,867l. 7s. 0d. to Mr. How for six months' clearings [of the Guards and Garrisons: to be issued] out of the proceeds of South Sea Stock.
Issue to the Ordnance, out of the Lottery money, so much as will redeem the tallies of 29,062l. pawned in the Bank.
[My Lords direct issue of] 1,700l. to Sir Roger Mostyn for a detachment of [Col. Henry] Holt's Regiment: out of the produce of South Sea Stock. Treasury Minute Book XXII, p. 16.
Nov. 4. Present: Charles, Lord Halifax; Sir Richard Onslow; Sir William St. Quintin; Edward Wortley, Esq., and Paul Methuen, Esq.
The Directors of the East India Company are called in. Their petition for a stay of process is read. My Lords do not think fit to stay the process.
The Justices of Peace and Mr. Borret are called in concerning infected cattle. They will represent matters in writing on Saturday morning but in the meantime they say there were killed and buried so many cows before the 16th of October as makes the whole charge to amount to about 1,600l., of which about 800l. is paid already: that this method of killing and burying deep in the ground had so good an effect that they buried but about 30 in ten days’ time. Then they were directed to make trial of medicines which did no good and the distemper increased to about 250 cows a week dead from the 16th of October. Yesterday they began to kill and bury again and by Saturday they think [there] will be a demand of about 1,700l. more. And they say that unless they could give the owners assurance of the 40s. per head they will not be induced to bring their cattle to be killed and buried; and they believe no other method will prevent the spreading of the infection. Treasury Minute Book XXII, p. 17.
Nov. 5. Present: all the five Lords.
[Write] to Dr. Davenant to know how far he has carried on his account of the Customs as Inspector General.
[Write] to the Stamps Commissioners to attend on Tuesday afternoon with the state of their Office and concerning their presentment for officers in Scotland.
[Write] to the Commissioners for Hawkers and Pedlars to attend then.
See what will bring up the [payment of the] several Offices to Xmas last.
My Lords having received a complaint against Josiah Burchet [that] he has misbehaved himself, direct the [Taxes] Commissioners to dismiss him and to present Mr. Joseph Burt for his place of Surveyor of Windows. Ibid., p. 18.
Nov. 6. Present: Lord Halifax, Sir William St. Quintin, Mr. Methwin. [My Lords order] Mr. Murray to be Paymaster of the LotteryIbid., p. 19.
Nov. 9. Present: Lord Halifax, Sir William St. Quintin, Mr. Wortley, Mr. Methuen.
[Write and] desire the Trustees for the Genoese loan to be here on Thursday next and look out Como's papers and send to him to be here.
Lord Chief Baron Smith is called in. A representation is read in behalf of Alexander Gourdon and papers relating thereunto. The Lord Chief Baron says as to his taking fees the Barons thought the complaint against him was malicious and groundless.
My Lords discourse my Lord Chief Baron about several other matters concerning Scotland and will speak with him again before he goes [back to Scotland].
[My Lords order a] sign manual to be prepared for 1,000l. [to the Sheriffs of London] as the King's bounty to the [poor] prisoners [for debt] in the city.
Write to the Auditors [of Imprests] to know if Sir Roger Mostyn's account [as late Paymaster of the Marine Regiments] be brought in or not. Ibid., p. 20.
Nov. 10. Present: all the five Lords.
[My Lords order the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy of] 50,000l. for wages: out of the proceeds of South Sea Stock.
Upon reading the Victuallers’ answer to a letter sent them concerning a bill drawn by Mr. Conduit for 522l. 11s. 0d. for pork and butter for the Garrison of Gibraltar and considering the several papers accompanying the same my Lords are pleased to direct that the said bill should be satisfied by the Commissioners for Victualling as the former bills have been and that money be issued [to the Victualling Commissioners] for that purpose.
[My Lords order] an account to be made of the produce of the Customs and Excise in Scotland since the Union and the charge of their Civil Government to this time.
[My Lords order] an advertisement [as follows] to be inserted in the next and several of the subsequent Gazettes: viz.
The Treasury Lords having received his Majesty's pleasure that a contract should be made for Victualling the Garrison of Gibraltar consisting of 1,500 men according to the proportions under written for each man for seven days, viz., seven pound of bread or (when desired by the Commander in Chief) a pint of wheat instead of a pound of bread:
2½ pound of beef:
1 pound of pork:
4 pints of pease:
3 pints of oatmeal:
6 ounces of butter:
8 ounces of cheese:
and to lay in a magazine [of such victuals] for six months to be from time to time supplied and kept up in the King's storehouses: the Contractors will have a power in keeping up the said magazines to serve greater quantities of such of the said kinds as will keep best and in lieu thereof to serve less quantities of the said kinds as will not keep so well, in such manner as shall be ascertained in the contract.
And such contract shall continue till six months’ warning be given either on his Majesty's behalf or by the Contractors for the determination thereof.
Their Lordships do hereby give notice that all persons may make their proposals in writing for entering into such a contract as aforesaid for furnishing the said provisions at such rates, to be paid in England, and at such times as are to be agreed upon; and to deliver the said proposal, sealed up, to William Lowndes, Esq., Secretary of the Treasury, before the 24th day of this instant November: on which day their Lordships will be at the Treasury Office in Whitehall to open and read the same.
Memorandum: sent to the Gazetteer to be inserted in the next and two or three subsequent Gazettes 11 Nov. 1714.
[My Lords direct] 2,000l. to Mr. Borret upon orders signed by their Lordships: [and is to be] towards the charge of executing the Commission for trial of several persons at Bristol and for defraying the charge of buying up distempered cows. Ibid., p. 21.
Nov. 11. Present: all the five Lords.
[My Lords order that] Henry Martin is to be Inspector General of Imports and Exports in the room of Dr. Davenant, deceased: and my Lords will consider of a salary and instructions to be given him.
The Trustees for the Genoese loan are called in. My Lords recommend to Mr. Vicetti the giving just satisfaction to Mr. Como and Corticelli by Signior Justiniani: and if that be not complied with my Lords will take the most proper methods for doing right to the Queen's [sic for King's] subjects.
Prepare a warrant to discharge Sir Richard Onslow as to the plate which was delivered to him [out of the Jewel Office upon indenture] as [former] Speaker [of the House of Commons].
[Write] to Auditor Harley to attend on Tuesday afternoon with the states of accounts and reports now in his hands. Treasury Minute Book XXII, p. 22.
Nov. 12. Present: Charles, Lord Halifax; Sir Richard Onslow; Sir William St. Quintin; Edward Wortley, Esq., and Paul Methuen, Esq.
The gentlemen of Cornwall [are] called in. They desire to know the King's pleasure about continuance of the [Tin] contract. My Lords say they are preparing a state of that affair from the beginning, to be laid before the King.
The gentlemen of the Bank are called in and the officers of the Exchequer about the method of cancelling Exchequer Bills. My Lords will consider the Acts of Parliament in this matter and give directions accordingly.
Mr. Bolt [is] called in. He presents [to my Lords] his appointment from Mr. Smith, one of the four Tellers of the Exchequer, to be his first clerk. My Lords direct Mr. Lowndes to administer to him the oath prescribed by the Act [8–9 Wm. III, c. 28] for the better observation of the ancient Course of the Exchequer: which is done accordingly. Then my Lord Halifax tells Mr. Bolt that there hath been a report that money has been taken by the Tellers or some of them for [purchase price of] their first clerk's place, which his Lordship conceives to be an evil practice and what may prove very prejudicial to his Majesty's service in the Exchequer. My Lord therefore desires that he will make a voluntary oath that he has not given or is to give any money or other consideration whatsoever for the said employment: which he readily took as Mr. Lowndes administered the same.
Mr. Burton, appointed first clerk to Lord Delawar one of the four Tellers, is called in and sworn in the like manner.
And also Mr. Granger appointed first clerk to the Earl of Denbigh [as another of the said four Tellers of the Receipt] is called in and sworn accordingly.
Sir Roger Mostyn [is] called in. He acquaints my Lords by word of mouth with a state of his accounts as late Paymaster of Marines. My Lords desire him to come again next Tuesday (when the Auditors of Imprests are to attend) and to bring with him as perfect a state of his accounts as he can in order to have the same read [by my Lords] and [from them to be] referred to the said Auditors’ examination. Ibid., p. 23.
Nov. 15. Present: all the five Lords.
[Write] to the several Offices to know the charge of the Coronation [in each of them].
There are laid before my Lords four warrants signed by the King and countersigned by the Chancellor of the Garter requiring the Master of the Jewel Office to provide four Collars of the Order of the Garter with four enamelled Georges and four plain gold Georges and four Garters of blue velvet with gold letters, buckle and pendant as usual to be delivered as follows: viz. to
Charles, Duke of Bolton, Knight of the Garter.
John, Duke of Rutland, a same.
Charles, Earl of Halifax, a same.
Lionel Cranfeild, Earl of Dorset, a same.
My Lords order them to be forthwith returned to the Jewel Office to be executed according to the purport thereof. Ibid., p. 24.
Nov. 16. Present: all the five Lords.
Mr. Auditor Harley is called in. He acquaints my Lords that Sir Roger Mostyn has not delivered in any accounts of the Marines into either of the Auditors’ [of Imprests] Offices.
My Lords observing that they had desired Sir Roger to be here to-day in relation to his said accounts, call for him: but [he] not being here my Lords direct [that] a letter [be sent] to him to hasten the accounts of the money imprested to him by the Treasurer of the Navy for the use of the late Marine Regiments and [likewise an account] of his voluntary charge: and also of his payments for subsistence, clearings and all other uses of the said Regiments: “and let him know that my Lords have appointed Mr. Auditor Harley to be here again next Friday morning at ten of the clock in relation to his accounts “ and desire that he will in the mean time carry them to the Auditor and attend my Lords here next Friday morning at ten of the clock.
Mr. Lowndes comes in and acquaints my Lords that last night he received a letter from Sir Roger Mostyn with two papers inclosed, one intituled an Abstract of the state of Sir Roger Mostyn's accounts of receipts and issues; the other an account of money received and paid upon account of disbanding the six Marine Regiments.
[My Lords order Mr. Lowndes to] send them to Mr. Auditor Harley and to desire him to peruse them and to attend my Lords with his observations thereupon next Friday morning at 10 of the clock: and [my Lords direct Mr. Lowndes] to send a letter to Sir Roger (instead of that above directed) to attend at the same time.
[Write] my Lord Carnarvon to be with my Lords next Friday morning in relation to his accounts as late Paymaster of the Forces Abroad.
A memorial is read from Mr. Awnsham Churchill representing that the 16th volume of Rymer's Foedera to 12 King James makes 200 sheets or thereabouts without the Index Nominum and that the remaining ten years of that King's reign with the said index will make another volume if their Lordships are pleased so to direct. My Lords agree that the 16th Volume do end with the 12 year of James without the index and that the last ten years and index do compose the 17th Volume. Ibid., p. 25.
Nov. 17. Present: all the five Lords.
[Send a] letter to the Exchequer for issuing to Lord Cobham et al. upon the proper warrants signed by my Lords 3,608l. 2s. 6d. out of his Majesty's Civil List.
Query [get together for my Lords] the Minutes about the year 1696 when some of the Lords of the Privy Council met at the Treasury in relation to the business of remedying the ill state of the Coin.
Upon reading several papers relating to the Tin affair my Lords order copies of all of them to be made and will lay them before the King in Council.
Two of the Justices [of the Peace] of Surrey [are] called in. They present a memorial containing an account of black cattle lost by the distemper in that county and desire some consideration towards making good the losses to the poor owners of them.
My Lords say that there has been no signification to their Lordships in relation to any other county than Middlesex and they think it proper to be laid before the King in Council.
[My Lords order preparation of] a sign manual for 13,500l. to Mr. Nicholas for French Protestants, whereof 1,500l. for French ministers and 12,000l. for the other poor refugees: to be issued out of the late Queen's [Civil List revenue] arrears.
Sir Isaac Newton is called in and presents the following Report:
“According to your Lordships’ order signified unto us by Mr. Lowndes his letter of the 28th of October last we humbly lay before your Lordships the following method of coyning copper money: viz.
that it be made of fine English copper malleable under the hammer without cracking when red hot; for such copper is free from mixture and is of about the same degree of fineness with the Swedish copper money and with copper vessels made at the Battering Mills:
that such copper be made into fillets or barrs of a due breadth and thickness either at the Battering Mills or at the Drawing Mills and be received at the Mint upon the Master and Worker's note expressing the weight thereof; and that the Master and Worker, upon delivering back to the importer the same weight of copper in scissel and money together, be discharged of his receipt, the importer at the same time paying the Master a certain seigniorage for bearing the charges of the Mint and Coyning and the Master and Worker being accountable for the seigniorage alone.
The fillets imported may be assayed by heating a few of them red hot at one end and trying if they will bear the hammer without cracking. The assays may be made by the King's Assay Master or his Clerk or by the Smith [of the Mint] and all persons concerned may be present if they please.
The moneys may be assayed in the following manner before delivery. Let a tun of copper money (more or less) be very well mixed together and at each of the four sides of the heap let so much copper money be counted out for a trial as should make a pound weight and if each of the parcels counted out makes a pound weight without the error of an halfpenny and one or two pieces taken out of each parcel endures the essay by the hammer then the money to be deliverable [tenderable]: otherwise not.
If the said four parcels differ not in weight from one another above the weight of a farthing the tale of the whole tun to be estimated in proportion to its weight as the tale of all the four parcels is to their weight; and these four assays with the weight and tale of every tun of copper money to be entered in books; and if the money prove at any time too light or too heavy the weight may be corrected at the coinage of the next copper imported, so as to make the whole tale of all the copper money bear a just proportion to the weight.
Two or more pieces of money may be taken out of every tun and put into a pix and tried yearly by such person or persons as the Lord High Treasurer or Lord Commissioners of the Treasury shall appoint.
Mr. Thomas Eyres, a refiner of copper, proposes to make and size the fillets by a Drawing Mill for 15 pence per pound weight of the blanks cut out of them whenever the price of fine copper in the market is no higher than at present, viz., 100l. per tun. And if a penny more be allowed to him for putting away [circulating] the copper money and four pence be added for seigniorage the whole will be answered by cutting a pound weight of copper into 20 pence. If the price of fine copper in the market rises or falls then the price of the fillets to arise or fall as much. Out of the seigniorage the Master and Worker may have for himself and [for] the gráver and smith one penny per pound weight and for the Moneyers two pence and the remaining penny may be for bearing the charges of weighing, assaying, entering in books, making a Controllment Roll, repairing the buildings, buying [of] coining tools and putting them into repairs and buying and repairing boxes, barrels and bags to put the money into.
After the coining tools are once put into repairs the Moneyers are to keep them in repair. Mr. Eyres hath not yet erected a Drawing Mill but represents that he can do it and be ready to deliver fillets of copper within the space of two months.
The charge of making the fillets at the Battering Mills and sizing them will be more than at the Drawing Mills by three half pence per pound weight of the blanks besides the charge of erecting Sizing Mills; which charges make us prefer the other method.
The buildings in the Mint where the coinage is to be performed are out of repair. The proposals of Mr. Eyre and the Moneyers are hereunto annexed [missing]. The Moneyers demand 1½d. per pound weight for coining the blanks, but in the reign of King Charles II had only 1d. per pound weight. Mr. Eyres demands seven per cent. for putting off the copper money but is willing to abate something and we reccon five per cent. or 1d. per pound weight sufficient.
Signed Cra[ven] Peyton.
Is[aac] Newton.
Mint Office.
15 Nov. 1714.
Which said Report having been read and maturely considered and debated my Lords approve of what is therein offered in relation to the method of making copper farthings and halfpence and of the preparing the fillets by Drawing Mills rather than by Battering Mills: but do not think there can be any occasion of an allowance for putting off [putting into circulation] the said copper money. Their Lordships desire Sir Isaac Newton to signify to Mr. Eyres that he should make what haste he can in erecting a Drawing Mill for making and sizing the fillets. Treasury Minute Book XXII, pp. 26–8.
Nov.18. Present. Earl of Halifax, Sir Richard Onslow, Sir William St. Quintin, Mr. Wortley.
[My Lords order] an abstract to be made of the moneys for the Works and Gardens in her late Majesty's reign.
[My Lords] ordered [issues as follows] out of her late Majesty's Civil List money: viz.
£ s. d.
to the Master of the Great Wardrobe for half a year to Xmas 1713 11,800 16 6½
to several Foreign Ministers as per list to the same time [see infra, pp. 163–4, where the total is 13,379l. 17s. 6d.] 13,179 17 6
to a list of fees and salaries [payable in the Exchequer] to the same time 3,323 19 2½
to a list of pensions and annuities [payable in the Exchequer as distinct from the late Queen's private pensions] to the same time 3,951 13 11
to the Band of Gentlemen Pensioners for one quarter to 1713 Xmas. 1,500 0 0
to ditto for travelling charges for the year 1713 1,012 0 0
to Mr. Nicholas for Lord Bridgwater et al. to Xmas [1713] see infra, pp. 211 seq. 10,050 0 0
to ditto for the French Protestant [refugees] 13,500 0 0
to Mr. Scobell for tin 21,000 0 0
£79,318 7 2
The underwritten paper being read and considered was approved by their Lordships:
Orders for the more regular keeping of papers and [for the]Despatch of business at the Treasury.
Mr. Glanville: to receive all petitions and, when they are read, to enter the answers that shall be indorsed thereupon in a book to be kept for that purpose; and to prepare such letters or references as shall be directed: also to lay up such petitions as shall have received final answers: and when a second petition shall be brought by any suitor, after one has been answered, he is to return it back or tear it: and likewise to enter in the said Book the order or resolution of the Lords of the Treasury which shall be written or endorsed upon any Reports, letters or memorials upon reading thereof before their Lordships.
Mr. Tilson: to have the custody of all memorials, papers and reports coming from the Navy, Ordnance, Paymaster of the Land Forces, Secretary at War and other Officers relating to military affairs and public fonds (petitions excepted); as also from the Surveyor General [of Crown Lands] and the Surveyors of the Woods, the Auditors of Imprests and [Exchequer Court] Auditors of the Revenues and [Auditor General of the] Plantations, [the King's and the Lord Treasurer's] Remembrancers, the Clerk of the Pipe or any other the Offices belonging to the Court or Receipt of Exchequer and to draw the warrants or letters relating thereto and to receive and have the custody of all certificates of receipts and payments in public Offices: also to have the care and inspection of the making of quarterly and annual accounts and Abstracts of the Receipts and Issues of his Majesty's revenues from the said certificates.
Mr. Powys: to receive all reports and papers whatsoever (petitions excepted) relating to the Customs, Excise, Post Office, Stamp Duties, Hackney Coaches and Chairs, Hawkers and Pedlars, Alienation Office, Wine Licences and First Fruits and Tenths: and to draw such warrants and orders as shall be directed thereupon: also to receive all memorials relating to the allowances to Ambassadors, Envoys &c. from his Majesty to Foreign Princes and States and to prepare the warrants for them when directed: and to have the custody of all letters to the Treasury Lords concerning the public from the Secretaries of State, Ambassadors and Envoys &c. from Foreign Princes, Governors of the Plantations and such like: and of the reports and papers (petitions excepted) relating to Ireland.
Mr. Kelsey: to receive and have the custody of all memorials, papers and accounts from the Cofferer of the Household, Treasurer of the Chamber, Great Wardrobe, Works and Gardens, Stables, Jewel Office and other offices relating to the Civil Government: and also of all papers concerning Scotland (certificates of the Receivers there and petitions excepted): and to prepare the warrants directed upon any of them: also to collect, make up and (if need be) abstract the papers to be from time to time laid before the King.
All other casual papers and business not here enumerated [are] to be put into the hands of such of the said four Chief Clerks as the Secretaries shall think most proper, who are immediately from time to time to make short entries or memorandums thereof and keep them in such order as they may readily be laid before the Lords of the Treasury at any time when required. And it is further ordered by their Lordships that the said Chief Clerks respectively do every day of their Lordships’ sitting deliver to their Secretaries in the morning the respective papers and reports remaining in their several custodies, which according to the orders hung up in the Treasury (contained in the next page) are to be considered as the business of the day: and that such of them as through their Lordships’ want of time may not receive answers that day be delivered back to the proper clerks to be kept till that day sevennight, unless any of them are called for sooner or contain matters of haste or importance.
Days particularly Appointed for the Despatch of business at the Treasury.
Monday: morning:
Petitions and reports to be read (except what relates to the Navy, Ordnance and Land Forces and the reports from the Auditor of Imprests and Revenue) and no persons to attend the Lords of the Treasury on that day unless by particular appointment.
Tuesday: morning:
The Paymaster of the Navy, Ordnance and Land Forces, the Secretary at War and all others having any demands or memorials for the Lords of the Treasury relating to military matters [are] to send them on Tuesday mornings to be then read and considered.
Wednesday: morning:
The said Paymasters of the Navy, Ordnance, Land Forces, Secretary at War &c. to attend for their Lordships’ Resolutions and Orders on their said memorials delivered in the day before: and at their attendance all reports relating to their respective offices are to be read and considered and (when it shall be necessary) the Navy Commissioners, Victualling Commissioners and Board of Ordnance [are] to attend at the same time and the Auditors of Imprests in relation to the said Paymasters’ accounts when directed. Also the [weekly] Paper of Cash [available for Distribution or allocation is] to be considered and a Distribution made thereout for the Civil and Military parts of Government.
afternoon: As often as it shall be thought necessary the Customs Commissioners, Excise Commissioners, Salt Commissioners, Stamp Duties Commissioners and other Commissioners of Revenue &c. [are] to attend pursuant to the command of the Lords of the Treasury, to be signified from time to time by letter from their Secretaries.
Thursday: no sitting unless upon extraordinary occasions.
Friday: morning:
The Auditors of Imprests and Auditors of the Revenue [are] to attend and their reports and states of accounts to be then read and considered: and the Deputy Remembrancer (when required) [is to attend] with a state of the process against accountants and the effects thereof: also the Commissioners for bringing in Arrears of Taxes and for the Window Duties &c. [are to attend] with their certificates and memorials: and the termly Certificates from the Solicitors of the Customs and other branches of the revenue [are] to be considered.
Saturday: no sitting unless upon extraordinary occasions.
Memorandum: The underwritten officers to attend upon summons only: viz., Navy Commissioners; Victualling Commissioners; Transports Commissioners; late Commissioners for Sick and Wounded; Board of Ordnance; Customs Commissioners; Excise Commissioners; Salt Duties Commissioners; Stamp Duties Commissioners; Wine Licences Commissioners; Hackney Coaches Commissioners; Hawkers and Pedlars Commissioners; Alienations Commissioners; Comptrollers of Army Accounts; Comptroller General of Customs; Inspector General of Imports and Exports; Examiner of the Accounts of the Outports; Postmaster General; Attorney and Solicitor General; Surveyor General [of Crown Lands]; Surveyors General of Woods [North Trent and South Trent]; the [Principal] Officers of the Works; the Solicitors of the Treasury; the Auditor of the Plantations and others as occasion may require. Treasury Minute Book XXII, pp. 29–32.
Nov. 19. Present: Earl of Halifax, Sir Richard Onslow, Sir William St. Quintin, Mr. Wortley.
The Taxes Commissioners are called in. Their papers are read and directions [are] given [and endorsed] thereupon.
[My Lords order the Secretaries to] prepare an account of all the sums proposed in reports of the Taxes Commissioners for rewards to Receivers [General of the respective Counties for extraordinary pains and risk in their collections and remittances]: to be laid before the Treasury Lords.
A memorial is read from the Justices of Peace who have under their care the distempered cows. My Lords exhort them to take all care possible.
Auditor Harley and Sir Roger Mostyn are called in about Sir Roger's accounts [of the Marine Regiments]. His state of his account is read and the Auditor's observations thereupon. My Lords desire him to deliver his account with the vouchers to the Auditor as soon as may be. He promises to begin that work forthwith: and the Auditor is to prepare a state of his account to be laid before the Treasury Lords.
The Earl of Carnarvon is called in. Ibid., p. 33.
Nov. 22. Present: ut supra.
Petitions are read and the [Treasury Lords’] answers are [endorsed] upon them. Ibid., p. 34.
Eodem die.
Afternoon.		 Present: ut supra.
The report from Mr. Wilcox [Surveyor General of Woods, Trent South] is read with the opinions annexed concerning taxes charged on the King's parks and houses. My Lords think the Keepers [of the King's forests and parks respectively] if they can get those taxes taken off or abated by appeal [to the Assessment Commissioners] should endeavour the same. But if they are chargeable by law they must pay the money.
Several petitions are read and [my Lords’] answers are [endorsed] upon them.
Renew Mr. Carkesse's constitution and that of Mr. Brougham.
Mr. Wright to renew his stewardship.
[Write] the Attorney General to be with my Lords to-morrow at ten or eleven of the clock.
[Write the] Directors of the South Sea Company to be here next Wednesday about a further loan on the subscriptions.
My Lords will consider the business relating to Foreign Ministers next Wednesday morning. Notice to be given to Mr. Methuen. Ibid.
Nov. 23.
Forenoon.		 Present: Earl of Halifax, Sir Richard Onslow, Sir William St. Quintin.
Write to my Lord Carnarvon to make forthwith and to transmit to their Lordships an account of all the South Sea Stock which was subscribed in his name [in the name of the public as James Brydges, then Paymaster General of the Forces Abroad] for the use of the Forces and of all the dividends thereupon and of the disposition thereof and by what particular warrants [such disposition was made] and how much, if any, remains in his hands.
The like [letter to be sent] to Mr. Moor [as the succeeding Paymaster of the Forces Abroad]. Ibid., p. 35.
Nov. 24. Present. Charles, Lord Halifax; Sir Richard Onslow; Sir William St. Quintin: Edward Wortley, Esq., and Paul Methuen, Esq.
My Lords will consider the demands of Foreign Ministers on Tuesday next.
Mr. Compton [is called in and] represents that he was Paymaster of several pensions [the Queen's private pensions and bounties] established by her late Majesty till Midsummer 1713, and that for some part thereof he had an allowance of 6d. per pound: and prays that he may receive the said allowance for such parts of the arrears due thereupon to Midsummer 1713 as his [present] Majesty shall be pleased to order the payment of in like manner as he should have done if the said arrears had been paid in her late Majesty's life time [out of the Civil List Lottery as by 12 Anne, c. 11]. [Hereupon my Lords] ordered that Mr. Godfrey who acted in the payment of the said Establishment for Mr. Compton till Midsummer 1713 and afterwards for Mr. Nicholas do take care to divide the poundage which shall be payable for such arrears so as that Mr. Compton may have it for what incurred whilst he was Paymaster and [that] Mr. Nicholas [may have it] for his time “notwithstanding the whole may be issued upon an order in the name of the said Nicholas". Treasury Minute Book XXII, p. 36.
Nov. 26. Present: Earl of Halifax, Sir Richard Onslow, Sir William St. Quintin, Mr. Wortley.
The Trustees for sale of South Sea Stock are called in. They [inform my Lords that they] will lend 200,000l. more, viz., 50,000l. this day and the like sum on each Tuesday following. [My Lords agree that] they are to be repaid out of the first money arising by the [sale of the] South Sea Stock after satisfaction of the 200,000l. first lent and the interest thereof, in the same manner as the first 200,000l. and interest are directed to be discharged. And in regard they borrow this money of the Bank who are to have their interest (as well for the former loan as for this) at five per cent. computed and paid every two months my Lords will cause the interest to be computed and paid accordingly [every two months] to the Trustees, together with their contingent charges relating to this affair.
[My Lords] direct [the issue to the Navy Treasurer and the application of] the 50,000l. lent [as above] this day, for wages to ships.
The [sealed tender] proposals for Victualling Gibraltar are opened and read and referred to the Victualling Commissioners to examine and compare them one with another and to present their comparison to my Lords.
[My Lords] renew the orders for a Regimental list of the out pensioners [of Chelsea Hospital]. Ibid., p. 37.
Nov. 29. Present: Earl of Halifax, Sir William St. Quintin, Mr. Wortley.
[My Lords order] my Lord Stair to be paid 1,000l. on his going over with a compliment to the French King. Ibid., p. 38.
Nov. 30. Present: Earl of Halifax, Sir William St. Quintin, Mr. Wortley, Mr. Methuen.
Write to Sir John Vanbrugh and the gentlemen concerned with him in making the contracts for the building at Woodstock and to Samuel Travers, Esq., to state and adjust the debt now remaining due to the workmen and others upon account of the said building, setting forth the dates and natures of the several contracts and what sum is due upon each bill and by whom adjusted and allowed respectively.
[My Lords order payment of the] Duke of Leeds’ flag pay to the Queen's death.
[My Lords order] all reports and papers relating to Chelsea Hospital to be looked out against Thursday.Ibid., p. 39.
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