Treasury Books and Papers: November 1739

Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 4, 1739-1741. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1901.

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'Treasury Books and Papers: November 1739', in Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 4, 1739-1741, (London, 1901) pp. 60-67. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books-papers/vol4/pp60-67 [accessed 24 March 2024]

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November 1739

Nov. 5. 177. Petition to the Treasury from Abraham Marks, Moses Jacomb and Harry Neyton, Jews. Arrived some time since at Ostend where, not meeting with a ship to take them to England, they travelled from there to Calais on foot, and there took an opportunity of coming over in the packet boat with their effects, being of a very small value consisting of a few spectacles, by the sale whereof their whole support depended. On going to pay the customs they were asked the Captain's name and readily told it, not knowing a packet boat was prohibited bringing goods, upon which their few things are stopped, and if not restored to them they must inevitably perish. In regard to their distress, innocency and readiness to pay the customs, pray an order for restitution.
[Reference Book X. p. 142.]
Nov. 6.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
178. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, T. Winnington, G. Earle.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:
£ s. d.
To the Treasurer of the Chamber for 1739, midsummer quarter 6,768 9 11
To Gentlemen and Grooms of the Bedchamber, same quarter 4,275 0 0
To John Shepherd to reimburse expenses for His Majesty's service 2,900 0 0
Same for the following sums out of the public funds, anno 1739:
£ s. d.
To the Treasurer of the Ordnance, to complete 31,200l. for sea service 1,200 0 0
To same to complete 80,088l. 6s. 3d. for land service 10,939 12 0
To same to complete 30,503l. 11s. 6d., for extra services, not provided for by Parliament 30,503 11 6
Mr. Thomas Molyneux, of St. Margaret's, Westminster, having consented that the front of all the buildings belonging to him in St. Margaret's Lane and the roofs, walls, &c, depending thereon to the height of 12 feet may be pulled down, laying the old materials on the inside ground, the Surveyor General of Crown Lands is to agree with said Molyneux as to the consideration money. The Board of Works to cause the buildings to be taken down immediately. Said Board is also to take care that a chimney be erected in the place designed for the servants belonging to the Lords and others to attend and wait in, so as they may be accommodated thereby.
The Customs Commissioners to be informed that Mr. Bryan, one of their Solicitors, is to pursue with all diligence the prosecutions commenced in the Admiralty against the masters of ships who went their voyages in contempt of the embargo, as he shall from time to time be advised by the Attorney and Solicitor General.
Mr. Revell's bond to be delivered up and cancelled, he having executed his contract for erecting the victualling storehouses at Gibraltar and received full satisfaction therefor.
The Excise Commissioners' report of Sept. 20 last read on the petition of John Saylyard and Shearman Godfrey, sureties for Michael Warwick, late collector for imported liquors at London. Their lordships agree that both sureties and collector are objects of compassion, and order said Commissioners to cause said collector's account to be stated giving allowance in it of 978l. 8s. 10¾d. to Mr. Warwick, the debt appearing to be due from him to the revenue at the time of his death, so as the merchants and others his creditors may avail themselves of the estate he died possessed of, to satisfy their demands.
Mr. Paxton to take care that the Crown right to the beach at Landguard fort be defended against the encroachment and usurpation of Sir John Barker. The memorial of Mr. Morris, governor of the said fort, to be transmitted to said Paxton.
A memorial read from Thomas Liveings, executor of Charles Jacob, mariner, to the Customs Commissioners to whom a petition of said Jacob was referred 1736 Dec. 10, for a reward for informing against Hatch, the smuggler. Referred to the Customs Commissioners for report.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 170–2; Letter Book XIX. pp. 517–8; Customs Book p. XIV. p. 400.]
Nov. 6. 179. Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to execute an order of the Privy Council as below:
Prefixing:—An order of the Privy Council, dated Whitehall, 1739, Oct. 25, for the discharge from the Marshalsea prison of the 18 Spanish mariners seized on board two Spanish ships in the Thames, named “Nuestra Señora Detegon,” Paul de Igarada, master, and ”Neustra Señora del Carmen,” Francis del Valle, master. “And it is hereby further ordered that in case the master and mariners belonging to the Spanish ship at Exeter, or the masters or mariners of any of the Spanish ships in any other of the ports of the realm shall have been seized and secured pursuant to the order in Council of the 19th instant, that such masters and mariners be likewise discharged from their confinement and set at liberty.”
[Customs Book XIV. p. 399b.]
Nov. 8.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
180. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Dodington, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle.
“Write to the Secretary at War to cause an account to be made up and transmitted to the Treasury of the extraordinary expenses which the augmentation of the forces hath occasioned, or shall occasion, to the 24 Dec. 1739, with all convenient speed.”
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 173; Letter Book XIX. p. 518.]
Nov. 8. 181. Treasury warrant to the Auditor of the Receipt for the issue of 380l. to Andrew Reid for the transportation of 45 felons out of Newgate Gaol, and 31 felons out the County Gaols of Herts, Essex, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Bucks., shipped to Virginia on board the “Duke of Cumberland,” William Harding, commander.
Appending:—Lists of the felons and certificates by clerks of Gaol delivery, &c.
[Money Book XL. pp. 45.]
Nov. 13.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
182. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Dodington, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle.
Orders for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:—
£ s. d.
To the Cofferer of the Household 7,000 0 0
To the Band of Pensioners 1,000 0 0
To the Great officers et al. inserted in a list 5,826 12 1
“Give the Bank of England notice that the treasure taken from on board the Spanish prize will arrive at the Bank to-morrow about 12 in the forenoon, as signified by Mr. Manley's letter from Portsmouth, dated the 12th instant.”
The petition of the East India Company for liberty to export 12 chests of silk entered as raw silk,and found to be thrown silk, and thereupon seized, referred to the Customs Commissioners.
The Earl of Halifax's petition read for sundry necessaries wanting for His Majesty's service in Bushey Park. Referred to Surveyor General of Woods.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. 174; Letter Book XIX. p. 518.]
Nov. 15. 183. The Navy Commissioners to John Scrope, dated Navy Office, concerning Mr. Hampden's debt of 25,881l. 2s.d. which for eight years has stood on the credit side of the navy debt without alteration. If nothing further is to be had from the Trustees of Mr. Hampden's estate, desire the pleasure of the Treasury as to the said debt being omitted from the statement of the Navy Debt to 1739, Sept. 30, now in course of preparation. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCI. No. 47.]
Nov. 19. 184. Two alternative schemes for a lottery to raise 412,500l. for the public service, by 150,000 tickets at 2l. 15s. 0d. each. 1 page.
[Ibid. No. 48.]
Nov. 20.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
185. Present: Mr.Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Dodington, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle.
A memorial to His Majesty on behalf of the Commissioners for building a bridge across the Thames at Westminster, transmitted to the Treasury from His Majesty and read, proposing purchasing several estates in the New Palace Yard, Westminster, and parts adjacent, being Crown property, for the purpose of making the approaches to said bridge commodious. Their Lordships are of opinion said Commissioners should exhibit to them a full and ample particular of the said estates, to the end the proper enquires may be made concerning same and the value thereof; to be laid before His Majesty for his pleasure therein.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces out of the 500,000l. granted for augmentations, of 74,994l. to replace to the services under his care of payment the moneys applied towards the charge of the said augmentations before the Privy Seal passed for issuing 200,000l. to said Paymaster for augmentations.
Mr. Walker, Surveyor General of Crown Lands, represents the agreement money with Mr. Molyneux for pulling down the front of his buildings in St. Margaret's lane, Westminster, as 200l. Ordered to be paid to Mr. Walker for Mr. Molyneux by Mr. Lowther out of the King's money.
Mr. Lowther is to pay to Lewis Laconde 40l. out of same to reimburse the like sum expended for His Majesty's service.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 175–6.]
Nov 22.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
186. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Dodington, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle.
The petition in the name of the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex for stay of proceedings against them on the escape of Brett and Johnson from Newgate, read and referred to the Customs Commissioners.
Sir William Yonge, Secretary at War, lays before their Lordships the following estimates and accounts:—
£ s. d.
Estimate of the charge of Guards and Garrisons and other land Forces in Great Britain, for the year 1740 860,150 10
Account of the charge of augmenting the Forces in Great Britain, Minorca, and Gibraltar 119,557 19 8
Account of levy money and other extra charges 62,209 11
“Ordered that copies of the said estimates and accounts, and all other estimates and accounts for the year 1740, as they shall from time to time be given in, be copied for my Lords.”
A petition in the name of the Bishop of Bangor, and Richard and William Manley, read against renewing a lease to Sir George Wynne of mines in Carnarvon and Denbigh, “and my Lords, knowing well the circumstances which occasioned the renewing of the said lease by Sir Geo. Wynne, do not think fit to stop the same.”
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 177.]
Nov. 24. 187. B. Fairfax and John Hill, two Commissioners of Customs, to the Treasury, concerning their journey to Portsmouth in accordance with orders signified from the Treasury on the 3rd instant, for the purpose of securing the money, bullion, jewels and plate on board the Spanish ship “St. Joseph,” and brought to Portsmouth either in that ship or in his Majesty's ship the “Chester”; said Commissioners being to bring up said money sealed with the seal of the Admiral of the Squadron at Portsmouth, and of Captain Cooper, commander of the “ Chester,” &c., by land, under guard, with the object of delivering them to the Bank of England; and said ship “St. Joseph” being further ordered to be brought with the remainder of her cargo to Woolwich. Enclose a report (a) infra from Robert Forster and Francis Jackson, inspectors of the River, dated Portsmouth, 1739, November 6, of the condition in which they found the “Chester,” man of war, and the Spanish ship the “St. Joseph,” and of the measures taken in regard to the search of the latter. Captain Cooper had with him on board the “Chester” all the treasure brought home, being inventoried to him by Admiral Haddock. So much of this as was in the Captain's cabin was transferred to 7 cases and sealed. The total 22 cases were then landed, enclosed in 5 large boxes, again sealed, brought to London under a guard of Horse Grenadiers on the 15th instant, and delivered to the Bank of England, as by a copy of a note in the deposit book (b) infra, the Directors refusing to give a receipt. Detail the measures taken to prevent embezzlement on board the “St. Joseph” on her voyage from Portsmouth to Woolwich. 6½pages.
Appending:—(a) Copy of said report to the Custom Commissioners from Francis Jackson and Robert Forster, dated 1789, November 6. 2 pages.
(b) Copy of the entry in the deposit book of the Bank of England of the deposit of the said 5 sealed boxes. 1739, 15 Novr. 1 page.
(c) An account, dated 1739, Novr. 8, of all the chests, cases, bags, and other packages delivered out of His Majesty's ship the ”Chester “ by Captain Cooper, commander of that ship, as containing all the money, bullion, jewels, and plate taken on board the Spanish prize “St. Joseph” and brought to Portsmouth either in that ship or in His Majesty's ship “Chester,” and sealed up on date hereof in the presence of abovesaid Brian Fairfax and John Hill, with their seals and the seal of Admiral Cavendish, commander in chief of the Squadron at Portsmouth, thereto put by Captain Griffin, and with the seal of said Captain Cooper. 1 page.
(d) Copy of the return made to the Customs Commissioners by Robert Forster, dated Portsmouth, 1739, November 9, of his rummage of the ship “St. Joseph.” 2 pages.
(e) Same of same made to same by same, dated Portsmouth, 1739, November 8, of his rummage of the ship “Chester.” 2 pages.
(f) Same of same made to same by Pusey Brooke and Robert Turvin, the Collector and Comptroller of Customs, Portsmouth, dated Portsmouth, 1739, Nov. 7, in relation to the guard of the ship “Chester“ and the prize “St. Joseph“ from the time of their first arrival. 5½pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCI. No. 50.]
Nov. 27. 188. Treasury warrant to the Postmasters General for the provision of an additional packet boat for maintaining the correspondence to and from Port Mahon, by way of Marseilles, and for increasing the manning and war stores of the present boat to a total charge of 840l. per annum for the two boats; said Postmasters contracting therefor with Henry Neale for making, repairing maintaining and keeping the said two packets, with a guarantee to said Neale of 500l. for each boat in case of capture.
Appending:—Memorial to the Treasury from said Postmasters General. To preserve the correspondence to and from Port Mahon, via Marseilles, there has hitherto been but one packet boat, the “Carteret” of about 120 tons, 10 guns, and 8 men, at a charge of 275l. per annum, which vessel might make her voyage to and from those places once in three weeks, if the Governors of Port Mahon were not to obstruct on any account the course of her proceedings. By Mr. Morret's letter to the Duke of Newcastle it is alleged that 2 ships of force are necessary to be employed in the present situation of affairs. This would be an unnecessary charge to the Post Office revenue. Consider that good sailing is the best defence of such vessels, “and that the service which was merely carrying advices might be well performed by ordering one boat more for the sake of more frequent advices to the government as well as merchants,” the ship being of the same burden as that now employed with a little addition of charge to each on account of the war. Propose in effect as above.
[Warrants not relating to Money, XXVI. pp. 250–1.]
Nov. 28. 189. Warrant under the royal sign manual, countersigned by the Lords of the Treasury, to William Aislabie, one of the Auditors of Imprests, to pass the Royal Africa Company's account of the application and expenditure of 10,000l. anno 1732–3, January 1, to 1733, Dec. 31, imprested to them at the Receipt of the Exchequer towards the maintenance of British forts and settlements on the coast of Africa.
Appending:—Statement of said account in detail certified bv James Thomas, deputy to said Aislabie (account showing an expenditure of 13,907l. 2s. 10d.).
[[King's Warrant Book XXXIII. pp. 402–8.]
Nov. 29.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
190. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Dodington, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle.
The Cofferer of the Household is to be cleared on 1739 Midsummer quarter, and the Wardrobe is to be paid the same quarter, including 500l. for the Master's salary to 1739 Michaelmas, out of the Civil List revenues now in the Exchequer.
Order for a warrant for 1739 Michaelmas quarter to the Duke of Montagu on his pension of 1,200l. per annum.
Their Lordships agree to the Surveyor General's report of the 27th instant on Sir George Wynne's petition for a new lease of lead mines in the Hundred of Isdulas, in the manor and County of Denbigh.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 178.]
Nov. 29. 191. Representation to the Treasury from the Commissioners for Taxes, dated Office for Taxes, concerning a judgment very prejudicial to the Revenue, given by the Lord Mayor's Court in the case of an appeal by Thomas Wood, a carpenter in Beech Lane, Cripplegate without, who was assessed at 30/- for the lights of a work-house, wash-house, and counting-house which he added to his house. The said court very partially reduced the assessment to 6s. This partial practice of the Justices who are the Commissioners of this revenue has already obtained in several parts of the country, though hitherto very little in Westminster and London. The only way to stop the evil is by a “clause in an act to explain and amend the former acts in that particular declaring that shop windows, cellar windows and also what are contained in work-houses, brew-houses, and all buildings contiguous and occupied together with the dwelling house be deemed part of the dwelling house and the windows and lights in such houses to be computed or told, to make up the number chargeable towards the duties.” 2 pages.
Enclosing
:—(a) Statement of opinion on the like question as above by Sir Edward Northey, Attorney General and Sir Robert Raymond, Solicitor General, of date 1711 July 21. 2 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCI. No. 51.]
Nov. 29. 192. J. Scrope to the Customs Commissioners for their observations upon and alterations and amendments judged by them necessary in a draft bill, enclosed, for the more effectual securing and encouraging the trade of His Majesty's British subjects to America, and for the encouragement of seamen to enter into His Majesty's service.
[Customs Book XIV. p. 401.]