Treasury Books and Papers: March 1729

Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 1, 1729-1730. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1897.

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'Treasury Books and Papers: March 1729', in Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 1, 1729-1730, (London, 1897) pp. 26-42. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books-papers/vol1/pp26-42 [accessed 19 April 2024]

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March 1729

March 4. 108. Warrant from the Lords of the Treasury ratifying indented articles of agreement between the King and Richard Haukshaw, of the island of St. Christopher, planter, for the purchase of 67a. 0r. 8p. of land in the quarter of Basse Terre.
Appending:—The articles of agreement.
[Crown Lease Book I. 317–9.]
109. Same from same ratifying same between the King and Richard Haukshaw, of St. Christopher, for the purchase of 11,382 square feet in Basse Terre town.
Appending:—The articles of agreement. [Ibid, I. 320–1.]
March 4. 110. Same from same endorsing a warrant dated 1727, November 28, from the Duke of Grafton, Lord Chamberlain, to the Honourable James Brudenell, Esq. Master of the Jewel Office, for the provision and delivery to Mr. Charles Marsh trumpeter in His Majesty's Second Troop of Horse Guards, a new silver trumpet, “the Lord Hertford having by letter signified that one of the silver trumpets belonging to the said troop broke with 13 years' service.”
Memorandum:—This warrant with amount unto 20l. or thereabouts. R. Sedgwick.
[Lord Chamberlain's Warrant Book I. p. 292.]
March 4. 111. J. Scrope to the Auditor of the Receipt requesting an account of moneys received, &c. on the 1713 lottery up to 1728.
[Letter Book XVIII. p. 371.]
112. Same to Secretary at War concerning the allowing Mr. Benjamin De La Fountaine to export 300 tons of coals duty free for the use of the garrison of Gibraltar. [Ibid.]
March 4. 113. The Commissioners of Customs in Scotland to be written to at the instance of Mr. Brodie to know whether David Forbes, land surveyor at Inverness, who was suspended, has been restored again or the said place be vacant.
Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer acquaints their Lordships that Mr. Conduitt's memorial of the 18th instant, relating to the renewing of the copper coinage at the Tower mint for the benefit of the public, has been laid before His Majesty, who has consented thereto. Ordered therefore that an advertisement for tenders for the supply of 40 tons of copper per annum be inserted in four “Gazettes” successively.
Order for payment of 375l. 8s. 2d. to Mr. Samuel Buckley in the usual manner in full of his bill for disbursements, travelling charges, &c. from 1728, July 17, to 1729, February 19.
Report read from the Commissioners of the Revenue in Ireland of 24th January last on the Earl of Albemarle's petition to try his title at law to certain lands in the county of West Meath, in the hands of the Crown. The Attorney General to have notification of His Majesty's consent thereto.
The Commissioners of the Taxes to inquire and inform their Lordships of the true state of the matter of the Earl of Coventry's memorial relating to the receipts given for taxes in the several divisions of the county of Worcester and the arrears standing out.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVI. p. 194–5.]
March 5. 114. Warrant from the Lords of the Treasury to the Commissioners of the Customs authorising the selling such of the utensils of war seized by the officers of the Customs for having been imported without His Majesty's license, as having been first tendered to the Board of Ordnance under the letters of Privy Seal of 1727–8, March 19, have been refused by them.
[Customs Book, XII. p. 330–1.]
115. Same from same to same for the issuing of the Customs Commissioners' deputation for the under-mentioned to be commanders and masters of smacks and other officers in the Customs, and for the superseding of any present deputations or removal of any present commanders or officers accordingly.
Appending:—Memorial of the Commissioners of Customs to the Lord of the Treasury, dated 1728–9, January 21, referring to the scheme annexed to their presentment of 1727–8, February 22, and approved by warrant of the Lords of the Treasury of 1728, June 25, for the establishing four additional sloops at certain stations in the ports of Deal, Sandwich, Rochester, and London, to accompany ships up the river till they come under the care of the tide surveyors at Gravesend, in lieu of tidesmen and mariners put on board at Deal and Margate, which were found of little service; and for the establishing a surveyor with a boat and six boatmen at Ramsgate in the port of Sandwich. The sloops are near finished by contract and therefore beg to recommend as commanders:—
£
James Steers, commander of the sloop to cruise in the Downs (Deal port) at - 50 per annum
Stephen Long … between the North Foreland and the Nore (Sandwich port) - - - - 50 per annum
John Baker … from the Spoil buoy to the buoy of the Nore (Port of Rochester) - - - 50 per annum
Richard Clement … between Dover and Gravesend, and thence to Harwich to inspect and survey the commanders and officers belonging to the other vessels - - 70 per annum
With other nominations, detailed, for the tide surveyors and boatmen at Deal proposed to be removed to Ramsgate, and for the tide surveyors proposed to be increased and continued at Margate for the better guard of the coast.
[Customs Book XII. pp. 331–3.]
March 5. 116. Royal warrant directed to John Lord Carteret, Lieutenant General and General Governor of Ireland and to the Lieutenant Deputy or other Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland, authorising the making of indenture of lease of a parcel of ground in the suburbs of Dublin convenient for erecting a new Parliament House in accordance with the request and plan submitted by the House of Commons in Ireland, and which Benjamin Parry, Esq. is willing to demise for a term of 9,000 years from 1728, April 30, being the time on which the said Parry's proposal was approved by the House of Commons in Ireland, at the clear annual rent of 240l. and also to release and discharge the yearly sum of 186l. per annum charged on the establishment for Ireland for the rent of the present Parliament House. Given at the Court at St. James.
[Irish Book VIII. p. 326–7.]
March 5. 117. Royal warrant to John Conduitt, Master and Worker of the Mint, for the payment of 80l. per annum to John Croker, Chief Graver of the Mint, and John Sigismund Tanner, or either of them, for Croker to bind Tanner as Graver to the Mint.
Appending:—Conduitt's memorial to the Lords of the Treasury, dated Mint Office, 1728–9, January 30, representing that the art of embossing on steel is little followed in England, and the science of making puncheons and dies for coin is not to be practised but at the Mint under penalty of high treason; that John Croker, first graver at the Mint, is advanced in years, and the only man now living who has hitherto made puncheons for the heads on the coins, his assistant, Mr. Ochs, who graves the puncheons for the arms, being also advanced; and recommending the binding of John Sigismund Tanner as an apprentice.
[King's Warrant Book XXIX. p. 281–3]
March 5. 118. Sign manual directed to the Clerk of the Signet to prepare a Bill to pass the Privy Seal for the payment of arrears of travelling expenses to James Moore and Arthur Moore, junior, Gentlemen of the Band of Pensioners, for attendance on Sundays and days of solemnity at Windsor and Hampton Court, the Privy Seal being first entered in the office of Chamberlain of the Household and with the Auditors of the Imprests.
[King's Warrant Book XXIX. p. 283–4.]
March 5. 119. William Ireland, on behalf of the Earl of Halifax, Auditor of the Receipt, to the Lords of the Treasury, in reply to the demand of the House of Commons, dated 1728–9, March 3, for a statement of account of the receipts and payments on the lottery of 1713. The Paymaster or Comptroller is the proper person to make forth this account, as it does not appear in the Auditor's office what were the charges of management, nor what sums were half-yearly set off for discharging the principal, 1 page.
Appending:
—(a.) An account of all the money that has been received for the payment of principal and interest for the lottery of 1713 to 1728, Lady Day, together with the charges of management and the half-yearly discharge of the principal. 1 page.
(b.) A similar account, dated Lottery Office, 1728–9, March 10, and signed H. Vander Esch. 1 page.
(c.) Alexander Chocke's account of all money issued at the Exchequer to the Paymaster of Lottery 1713 to Lady Day, 1728. 1 page. [Treasury Board Papers CCLXX. No. 37.]
March 6. 120. J. Scrope to the Auditor of the Receipt requesting an account of the moneys issued at the Exchequer to the Paymasters of the 1713 lottery up to 1728. [Letter Book XVIII. p. 372.]
121. Same to the Comptrollers and Paymaster of the lottery of 1713 requesting an account of moneys received on it and charges of management up to 1728, Lady Day. [Ibid.]
122. Same to the Auditor of the Receipt requesting an account of the money paid into the Exchequer for the duty on victuallers.
[Ibid.]
March 6. 123. J. Scrope [to Mr. Buckley] conveying the commands of the Lords of the Treasury for the insertion of the following advertisement in next successive “Gazettes”:—
“His majesty being most graciously pleased to order that farthings and half pence should be coined of the finest British copper as near the intrinsic value as may be and that any profit which may accrue thereon shall be paid into the Exchequer for public uses the Rt Honble the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury give notice that any persons who are willing to supply his Majesty's mint in the Tower with a quantity of British Copper not exceeding 40 tons per ann. in bars nealed and of such a fineness as to spread thin under the hammer when heated red hot without cracking, and of a due size and thickness according to patterns to be seen at the said mint, may give in proposals sealed up to their Lordships' secretaries or either of them at any time on or before Monday the 24th day of March next at what rates & prices they will supply the said mint with such copper, to be paid one half of the price of such copper in money upon the importation thereof and the other half in money and scissell together, reckoning the said scissell at the same price with the copper imported.” [Letter Book XVIII. p. 373.]
March 7. 124. John Scrope to the Attorney General [for Ireland?]. The Commissioners of His Majesty's Revenue in Ireland having, by their report on the Earl of Albemarle's petition for liberty to bring his ejectment at law to try his title to certain lands in the county of West Meath, some time belonging to the late Earl of Kildare, and now in the hands of the Crown, signified their assent to same, the Lords of the Treasury signify that it is His Majesty's pleasure the Attorney General consent and agree to the said Earl of Albemarle having such liberty. [Irish Book VIII. p. 326.]
March 8. 125. J. Scrope to the Auditor of the Receipt for an account of the payments into the Exchequer on the duty on victuallers from its commencement. [Letter Book XVIII. p. 373.]
March 11. 126. J. Scrope to the Board of Works transmitting for examination the bills of John Lane, Surveyor of the Guardhouses in and about St. James's Park and the Tilt Yard, for work done at the Horse Guards and the Paymaster General's house.
[Letter Book XVIII. p. 374.]
March 11. 127. Royal warrant directed to the Attorney General for the relinquishment of His Majesty's share of 120l., the appraised value of the forfeited ship, “Sutton,” Anthony Royston, master, from Rotterdam, forfeited under the Act of Navigation.
Appending:—Affidavits of Anthony Royston, master of the “Sutton,” and Charles Porkes, of Marsh Chapel, Lincoln, and of Nicholas Taylor, beer brewer, and James Wright, master and mariner, of Kingston-upon-Hull, and Joseph Fellingham, late mate, and Nicholas Andas, mariner, late belonging to the “Sutton,” all relating to the seizure of the “Sutton.”
[King's Warrant Book XXIX. p. 289–92.]
March 11. 128. The Earl of Marchmont is to be discharged of 175l. 2s. 9d. due on his account with the Crown as sheriff of the county of Berwick from 1714 to 1725, the King having agreed thereto on the report of the Barons of the Exchequer in Scotland.
Order for a sign manual for the issue of 514l. 7s. 11½d., remaining in the Exchequer from Virginia quit-rents, to Woodes Rogers for services to be performed in the West Indies.
Mr. Bridgman's memorial of the 15th instant for 600l. in further part of the contract, dated 1727, April 21, for works ordered by the late King in the Gardens at Kensington, read and ordered out of the arrears of the late King's revenues in the Exchequer.
The Board of Works are to inspect the state of the King's barge-houses, and estimate the charges of repairing them according to the King's pleasure as conveyed by the Lord Chamberlain's letter of the 25th ultimo.
The memorial of the paymaster of the forces for 126,419l. for cleanings, off-reckonings and other services of the forces, anno 1728, read and ordered out of effects in his hands.
The paymaster of the forces to be allowed to dispose of the tallies and orders in his name on the land tax, anno 1728, for 38,000l. put into his hands on or about December 16 last, to any person that will take the same at par, allowing the interest that shall have accrued thereon to the persons so paying in their money for the same. [Treasury Minute Book XXVI. p. 196.]
March 12. 129. J. Scrope to the Comptrollers of Army Accounts transmitting for examination Missing's list of persons victualled at Gibraltar, 1728, November 18 to December 15.
[Letter Book XVIII. p. 374.]
March 12. 130. Report of the Barons of the Exchequer in Scotland to the Lords of the Treasury on the petition of John Earl of Rothes. By royal sign manual of 1724, May 15, the late king discharged petitioner of the arrears due by his father as Chamberlain of the Crown rents of Fife and Strath Earn and as Sheriff of Fife and Aberdeen, in all 2,244l. 19s. 17/12d. By the certificate of the Deputy Auditor petitioner is in arrear as Chamberlain of the said rents, 1721–7, 1,919l. 13s. 10d. and as Sheriff of Fife 284l. 6s. 18/12d. for old Blenches, Petty Feus, &c. and as Sheriff of Aberdeen, for 123l. 17s. 67/12d. for the like. 2 pages.
Enclosing:
—Petition of the Earl of Rothes stating the amounts differently and pleading the encumbrances on his estates; and reference, dated 1728–9, February 19, of same from the Lords of the Treasury to the Barons of the Exchequer in Scotland. 2½ pages. [Treasury Board Papers CCLXX. No. 38.]
March 15. 131. David Dunbar to John Scrope. With enclosures (wanting) of letters from New England to the Lords of the Treasury giving an account of the seizure and condemnation of 200 masts for his Majesty's use. It is the first victory obtained over the people of the country, and may deter them from such practices in the future.
Begs instructions for their disposal, and for payment of expenses of prosecution. Hears that an Act is suddenly to pass here for preventing abuses in the woods. Hopes it will be made felony. “In order to evade former Acts of Parliament against cutting large trees out of townships, great part of the country has since been laid out into townships, some of them 15 miles square, upon which they are immediately entitled to send representatives to the Assembly, which is the cause that body is so numerous and composed of ignorant people, who give so much trouble to the Government. It would humble them much if no town under 40 families or houses were allowed to send representatives.” Begs instructions as to preventing the shipment of plank and timber to Spain. Will sail for America in a few days in the “Boston Merchant.” 2½pages. [Treasury Board Papers CCLXX. No. 39.]
March 15. 132. Report from the Commissioners for Excise to the Lords of the Treasury on the petition of Margaret Downer, wife of Mr. John Downer, land surveyor for imported liquors, and rendered incapable of business by being disordered in his senses. His salary was 70l. and the allowance of 20l. per annum out of the Bank of Charity is as much as is given to superannuated supervisors whose salaries are 90l. per annum and who pay towards that bank accordingly. Cannot advise a higher allowance. 1 page.
Enclosing:
—Margaret Downer's petition for a higher allowance than the 20l. granted by the Board. With reference, dated 1728–9, March 13, from the Lords of the Treasury to the Commissioners of Excise. 1¼pages. [Ibid, No. 40.]
March 17. 133. Privy Seal addressed to the Lords of the Treasury for the payment to James Moore and Arthur Moore, junior, of the band of pensioners, the allowances for attendance at Windsor and Hampton Court on Sundays and other days of solemnity, viz. 6s. 8d. for attendance, 6s. 8d. for travelling expenses coming, 6s. 8d. for the same returning. [King's Warrant Book XXIX. p. 306.]
March 17. 134. Royal warrant directed to the Chief Baron and the Barons of the Exchequer in Scotland. Alexander Earl of Marchmont, as representing the deceased Patrick Earl of Marchmont, his father, and as his successor in the office of sheriff of the county of Berwick, is chargeable with 175l. 1s. 111/6d. for old Blenches, Petty Feus, Amerciaments of Court, Casualties of Infeofments and Castlewards incurred and become due to the Crown from 1714 to 1725: same are to be remitted to him on account of his known zeal and services in the late rebellion.
[North Britain Book IX. p. 245.]
March 18. 135. J. Scrope to the Auditor of the Receipt authorising the plate used for printing Exchequer bills on the land tax of last year to be adapted to the present year.
[Letter Book XVIII. p. 374.]
136. Same to Mr. Cracherode for the defraying the charges of an Act of Parliament granting to the Archbishop of York the advowson of the vicarage of Bishop Thorpe in exchange for that of Brotherton. [Ibid.]
March 18. 137. Letters patent from the Lords of the Treasury revoking the commission which appointed George Dennis and Gilbert Walmesley joint Comptrollers in Exchequer of payments for annuities and constituting George Dennis, Esq. Comptroller with a salary of 100l. per annum from 1728, Midsummer.
[Warrants not relating to money XXIV. p. 152.]
March 18. 138. Warrant from the Lords of the Treasury to Henry Pelham, Secretary at War. The contractor for victualling the garrison at Placentia and Annapolis is to receive instructions from the Secretary at War touching the qualities of provisions to be sent yearly. He is to be directed to furnish from 1729, July 1, for no more than 360 men.
Appending:—Report from P. Medows and James Bruce, Comptrollers of Army Accounts, to the Lords of the Treasury, dated 1728–9, February 18, on a memorial on behalf of the officers of Colonel Philips' regiment to the Secretary at War. The memorial sets forth that the Treasury contracted with Mr. Missing to supply that regiment with provisions from 1720, July 1, in the several garrisons at 6d. per man per day, 4d. thereof to be stopped from their subsistence and 2d. to be paid by the government. Hitherto the provision has been for a full regiment, 440 men. The commission officers had refused to take or allow any stoppage to be made of that kind from the agent, and the colonels and agents men were also included and all non-effectives, so that the recruits which had been raised were charged on the officers' pay. The contract had occasioned great complaints. The officers desired to be rid of it and that Mr. Missing should be directed to send provisions for only 360 men and the Comptrollers not to allow nor the Paymaster General to stop for more. [Ibid, p. 147–8.]
139. Report from the Lords of the Treasury to the Privy Council on a representation of the States of the Island of Jersey relating to the settling the value of the English and French coin in that island, and also relating to the transmitting thither in specie the subsistence for the soldiers in garrison there.
Appending:—(a.) Report to the Lords of the Treasury, dated Mint Office, 1727, May 10, and signed by W. Cary, John Conduitt and Martin Bladen. “In obedience to your Lordships commands signified by Mr Scrope in his letter of the 25th of April [1727] we have considered the representation of the States of Jersey in relation to the several coins current in that island and having acquired the best information we could upon that subject, we beg leave to observe that the frequent alterations of the French silver coins render it highly necessary to make them current only according to their intrinsic value in proportion to the British crown piece but considering the high price gold already bears to silver in his Majesty's dominions we see no reason for lowering the British crown from 71 sols to 70, and presume it was only proposed to avoid a fraction; but we see no inconsistency in suffering the shillings to continue current at 14 sols and the sixpences at 7, the crowns at 71 sols and the half-crowns at 35½. For these two last mentioned species wear the least and are consequently in most danger of being melted down or exported.
“We have assayed some of the French Liards and find that three of them weigh four grains and a half more than one of the last coined British half-pence and that they are of an equal fineness, but as the great grievance complained of is the importation of Liards only without any gold or silver coin from France to pay the balance of trade, which as we are informed is in favour of the island, it seems advisable to reduce the Liards to their old value of 2 deniers each (at which rate they are and always have been current at Guernsey with very good effect) and to make, as is proposed, the British halfpenny current for 7 deniers and the farthing for 3½ which will encourage the importation and use of His Majesty's own copper coin.”
(b.) Report from Spencer Compton to the Lords of the Treasury, dated Pay Office, Horse Guards, 1727, July 25, on the demand for the transmission of the garrison pay in specie. The order of Council was so long ago as 1690, “and it does not appear that it was then made to alter any former method of transmitting the pay of the soldiers there, or to confine it to be sent in specie: or if it is to be construed that it does, yet it does not appear to me when or for what reasons it happened that that method was not pursued.… On the whole I cannot but observe in general that if in the present method our specie may be kept at home and the Government is at no charge and hazard in transmitting the subsistence of the soldiers, it is in those respects more eligible than to send our specie abroad at charge and hazard to the Government.
(c.) The representation from the officers at Jersey [to Walpole], dated Jersey, 1726, December 9, and signed Kempenfelt, Skyes, and J. Broughton. “The daily demonstration you give of doing all prudent acts for the good of your country emboldens us, who have the honour to command independent companies here, to this presumption. It is enacted in the Court here to petition his Majesty that the money for the three companies here may be sent over in specie. We humbly beg leave to lay before you that whatever English money comes here goes to France by reason of its trade and the advantage of the exchange and in case that any accident should happen that the money should be lost it would be very difficult for us to subsist our men till such time as the Government could be acquainted. For we are sometimes two months without any ships going to or coming from this island. The current coin here is French farthings and has been for several years and is very convenient change for the soldiers, and there is a, greater demand for bills yearly than all the officers, half-pay officers and several French refugees can supply.”
[Warrants not relating to money XXIV. p. 149–51.]
March 18. 140. Warrant from the Lords of the Treasury to the Auditor of Receipt authorising George Lord Parker, one of the Tellers of the Receipt, to rebuild or otherwise repair and amend the house belonging to him so as the charge exceed not 250l.
Appending:
—Report to the Lords of the Treasury from the Earl of Halifax, dated 1728–9, February 20, “the house is in a very ruinous condition and the offices belonging to it at the bottom of the garden next the Thames are so much decayed that no use can be made of them unless they are rebuilt.… In 1717 501l. 16s. 3d. was allowed to the Lady Diana Fielding to satisfy the like sum spent by her former husband Thomas Howard Esq. to complete 1,901l. 16s. 3d. allowed him in consideration of rebuilding the house and offices belonging to him as one of the Tellers of the Exchequer.”
[Warrants not relating to money XXIV. p. 146.]
March 18. 141. Petition of Isaac Hyde for a further consideration for his expenses and trouble in making, with Henry Robinson and William Pinney, in June 1723, a general survey and inspection into the receipt and management of the Excise Revenues in Scotland, read and referred to the Commissioners of the said Revenues for consideration and report.
The Commissioners for Hackney.Coaches called in and acquaint their Lordships that the Hackney coachmen are much in arrear with their rent and seem inclined to give up their licences unless there is some regulation with respect to chaises, job coaches, stage coaches and other matters of complaint. Their Lordships order the case to be stated in writing.
The memorial of the Paymaster of the Forces of the 18th instant for 105,922l. 16s. 6d. out of the funds, anno 1729, for the services therein mentioned, read and ordered accordingly.
Another memorial of the 13th instant for 18,140l. 1s. 5d. to complete the pay of the Hessian troops from 1727, April 1, to 1728, December 24, read and ordered to be issued out of funds, anno 1729, upon account and in part of 241,259l. 1s. 3d. voted for those troops that year.
Another memorial of the 18th instant read for the off-reckonings of the non-commissioned officers and private men reduced out of Pearce's and Egerton's regiments of foot on their removal, 1728, May 8, the same being reckoned to the 24th April, 1729, when their assignments determined, and amounting to 210l. 6s. 5d.: warrant ordered for the payment of the same out of the savings of the reduced men from the said 8th May to the 24th December following.
Mr. Cracherode's memorial of the 15th apprizing their Lordship's of the charge of passing an Act of Parliament for the exchange between the King and the Archbishop of York, viz., the vicarage of Bishop Thorpe in the King's gift for the vicarage of Brotherton in the gift of the archbishop, read and agreed to.
The orders in the name of Lord Strafford and Mr. Poyntz are to have letters at the Exchequer for satisfying the same.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVI. p. 197.]
March 20. 142. James Pitt to be Tide Surveyor at Portsmouth in the room of Edward Ashe.
Mr. Lowther is to pay 30l. 10s. out of the King's money in his hand to Robert Williams for services by him performed to the King.
Mr. King to be paid 50l. by Mr. Lowther out of the same as the King's bounty. [Treasury Minute Book XXVI. p. 198.]
March 21. 143. Royal sign manual addressed to Spencer Lord Wilmington, Paymaster General of the guards, garrisons and land forces, directing the issue of 50,000l. to the King of Sweden for one year's subsidy, pursuant to a treaty dated 1726–7, March 14.
[Kings Warrant Book XXIX. p. 293–4.]
144. Same addressed to same for a like issue of 25,000l. to the Duke of Brunswick Lüneburg Wolfenbüttel for one year's subsidy, pursuant to a treaty dated 1727, November 25. [Ibid, p. 294.]
145. Royal warrant addressed to same directing the issue of 210l. 6s. 5d. to clear the assignments of the off-reckonings of the non-commissioned officers and privates reduced out of Lieut-General Pearce's and Col. Egerton's regiments of foot on their removal, 1728, May 8, to the Irish establishment, reckoning same from that date to 1729, April 24. [Ibid, p. 295.]
March 22. 146. Royal warrant addressed to John Grymes, Esq., Receiver General of the Revenues in Virginia, “Whereas the King our late royal father upon an humble address of the House of Commons for enlarging the way leading through King Street Westminster to the Parliament House did treat and agree for the purchase of the estate and interest of Lawrence Earl of Clarendon and Rochester in and to the gateway leading through the said street and in and to certain houses or buildings which the paid Earl enjoyed on both sides the said gateway by and under a lease from the Crown for a term of years unexpired … and whereas it has since appeared that under that part of the building lying on the north-west side of the said gate and adjoining to the tennis court in the Cockpit, Whitehall, a certain cellar or vault was used by the said Earl of Clarendon, which belonged to Charles Downing Esq., for which the Earl paid an annual rent of 8l.; now it being very much for the accommodation of the said building that the said vault or cellar should go along with and be annexed to the same and Downing being willing to convey all his title therein for the sum of 185l. we have agreed thereto and … require you out of the money remaining in your hands of quit rents in the colony of Virginia,” to pay the said 185l. to Downing.
[King's Warrant Book XXIX. p. 297.]
March 24. 147. Warrant from the Duke of Grafton, Lord Chamberlain, to the Duke of Montagu, Master of the Great Wardrobe, for the supply and delivery to Grey Maynard, Yeoman of His Majesty's removing wardrobe, the following particulars for St. James's Palace, viz.: six walnut tree stools covered with crimson mohair, and trimmed with crimson lace for the Queen's waiting room next the bed chamber; one four-post field bedstead, the furniture of crimson harrateen with crimson worsted lace, and a complete set of bedding; one deal press bedstead with green harrateen furniture with green worsted lace, and a complete set of bedding; 12 strong matted-bottom chairs, and 18 wooden chairs, 2 long deal tables, and 1 oval table for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales's laundry, and ticking for an umbrella at Mrs. Howard's lodgings, and a crimson harrateen cushion; also.70 yards of crimson silk, and tassels suitable, for the sashes in the King's private bed-chamber, and the Queen's dressing room at Hampton Court. 1 page. [Treasury Board Papers CCLXX. No. 41.]
March 24. 148. William Burroughs, Esq., to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. Tender for supplying the mint with copper not exceeding 40 tons per annum in bars nealed of the fineness and qualities as in the advertisement of the Lords of the Treasury, dated 1728–9, March 6, at 116l. 13s. 4d. per ton. 1 page. [Ibid, No. 42.]
149. Similar proposal of Thomas Briggs to the same, dated from the Brass Wire Mills, St. Mary Overy's, Southwark, for supply of same at 14½d. per lb. of copper, “pursuant to an advertisement in the ‘London Gazette’ of the 15th instant.” 1 page. [Ibid, No. 43.]
150. Similar proposal of John Applebee and Henry Hines to the same for supply of same at 14½d. per lb., “in pursuance of your Lordships advertisement in the ‘London Gazette’ of the 8th instant.” N.B.—“We propose to. make proper affidavits to use none but British copper, which will cost much more than Barbary copper.” 1 page. [Ibid, No. 44.]
151. Similar proposal by B. Robinson, Governor of the Company of Copper Mines in England, for the supply of copper not exceeding 40 tons per annum, and not exceeding 100 tons in all, as by advertisement in the “Gazette” of the 8th instant, at 15½d. per lb. half to be paid in money, and the other half in money and scissel together. [Ibid, No. 45.]
March 24. 152. J. Scrope to the Auditor of the Receipt for an account of the moneys due for principal and interest on Exchequer bills on malt, anno 1727. [Letter Book XVIII. p. 368.]
1729.
March 25.
153. Edmund Bishop of London to the Lords of the Treasury informing them of the appointment of John Wright, M.A., to be a minister in Maryland, in America, and requesting on Wright's departure payment to him of the King's bounty of 20l. for his passage. 1 page. [Treasury Board Papers CCLXX. No. 46.]
March 25. 154. J. Scrope to Mr. Cracherode to attend the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to support His Majesty's instructions for a salary to be allowed to the Governor of Massachusetts Bay for the time being, and to pay the legal charges on a commission for visiting University College, Oxford.
[Letter Book XVIII. p. 375.]
March 25. 155. Surpluses stated at Lady Day, 1729.
Statement of the excess or surplus of the several duties, revenues, and incomes, commonly called the Aggregate Fund, established by several Acts of Parliament of the 3rd, 5th, and 6th years of His late Majesty's reign for answering the payment therein expressed.
[Statements of Surpluses I. 254–5.]
156. Statement of the excess or surplus of such duties or revenues (part of the South Sea Company's fund) as were established by Acts of Parliament of the 3rd and 5th years of His late Majesty's reign for answering payments to the South Sea Company and others.
[Ibid, pp. 256–7.]
157. Statement of the produce at the Exchequer of the duties and revenues which by an Act 3 George I. page 303, were charged towards making good a General Yearly Fund of 724,849l. 6s. 101/5d. with the deficiency thereof and the overplus of the same General Fund stated at Lady Day, 1729, which overplus ariseth over and above all the moneys which then or before became due or payable according to subsequent Acts out of the said duties, revenues, or general fund. [Ibid, pp. 258–9.]
158. Thirteenth half-yearly statement of the account between the Exchequer and the Sinking Fund. The account comprising a statement of the above surpluses from the Aggregate, General and South Sea Company's fund. Presented by Scrope, 1729–30, February 2. [Ibid. pp. 260–1.]
March 25. 159. Detailed statement of payments made on account of concordatums, military contingencies and barracks in one year from 1728, March 25, to 1729, March 25, certified.by Lu. Gardiner, Deputy Receiver General.
Total payments, 16,812l. 15s. 4d. against an established allowance of 13,336l. 10s. 15 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCLXX. No. 47.]
[After
March 25.]
160. The memorial of the Duke of Bolton, Lord Warden of New Forest, to the Lords of the Treasury, begging a warrant to the Woodward of New Forest for the cutting of decayed and dotard trees sufficient to raise the 300l. salary due to the officers and keepers of the forest at Lady Day, 1729. 1 page.
[Ibid, No. 48.]
March 26. 161. Board of Trade and Plantations to the Lords of the Treasury enclosing accounts of incidental charges of the office, Christmas 1728 to Lady Day 1729, Whitehall, 1729, March 26. 1 page.
Appending:
—Accounts referred to. 8 pages. [Ibid, No. 49.]
March 26. 162. The Lords of the Privy Council to the Lords of the Treasury requesting payment of 200l. for salary for the under clerks of the Council for the year ending December 25 last. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCLXX. No. 50.]
March 26. 163. Warrant from the Lords of the Treasury endorsing a warrant from the Duke of Grafton, Lord Chamberlain, to the Duke of Montague, master of the Great Wardrobe, for the provision and delivery to Captain John Guy the following, for furnishing the “Carolina”yacht; viz., for the bed chamber, standing bed with damask as usual and all necessaries to it; a small bed into the side and curtains, a great chair, six stools, curtains for all the windows, and a counterpoint for the table. In the cabin a great chair with turnsdown in the seat for a bed, with bedding and curtains as are used for such chairs. Also bedding and curtains for two beds, one on each side of the cabin, curtains for the windows, and one close stool. In the state room six beds with curtains and valance as usual, curtains for the windows, two carpets, twelve chairs with cushions, likewise two great bed chairs, the hangings of damask, and bedding as usual, with a looking glass and close stool. In the captain's cabin three beds, and curtains for the windows, six cushions of camlet for the lockers and chairs. In the gun room six beds with curtains, and for the pages of the backstairs between the bedchamber and the state room two beds, one with curtains, the other being close. In the middle room six leather chairs, a carpet for the table. For the officers' cabins six beds, small stores, chamber pots, basons, candlesticks one dozen, with twelve pairs of snuffers.
Memorandum:—The particulars of this warrant will come to 600l. or thereabouts. Thomas Dummer.
[Lord Chamberlain's Warrant Book I. 293.]
March 27. 164. The following sums ordered to be issued out of the supplies, anno 1729; viz. 274,318l. 5s.d. to make good the deficiency of the malt account, anno 1729; 500,000l. to cancel and discharge the like sum in Exchequer bills made forth in the Act for Seamen's Wages.
Warrant ordered for payment to the Bank of England of 1,275,027l. 17s. 10½d. out of the Sinking Fund, for the services following, viz. 775,027l. 17s. 10½d. to redeem the annuity of 31,001l. 2s.d. payable to the Bank for the principal sum of 775,027l. 17s. 10½d. in Exchequer bills delivered up to be cancelled; and 500,000l. for redeeming 20,000l. per annum being part of the annuity of 80,000l. per annum payable to them for the principal sum of 2,000,000l. on like bills delivered up to be cancelled.
Order for the issue to the Bank of England of the sum remaining in the Exchequer of the Sinking Fund at Lady Day, 1729, in part of the said sum of 1,275,027l. 17s. 10½d.
Order for the stay for three months of all proceedings against Charles Halstead, security for Mr. Townley, late cashier of the revenue for wine licences, he promising to pay the remaining 500l. due from him to the Crown in that time.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVI. p. 199.]
March 27. 165. H. Pelham to John Scrope; transmitting the memorial of Dr. Harvey from the King to be laid before the Lords of the Treasury, with intimation of the King's willingness to place him on the establishment of guards and garrisons next year, and to provide equally for him for the present year out of the contingencies. Whitehall, 1729, March 27. 1 page.
Appending:
—Memorial of Gideon Harvey, Doctor of Physic to the King. As Physician to the Tower receives, according to the ancient establishment, only 13d. a day, notwithstanding his frequent attendance, and the great trust reposed in him. The late King gave orders for a considerable addition to the salaries of other officers at the Tower, but as memorialist was promised to be put on the Household Establishment as Sir Charles Scarborough and other his predecessors were, he declined making any interest for the same. Desires at least to receive an equal salary with the Physician General of the Army. Undated.
Accompanied by a copy of Townshend's letter to the Earl of Lincoln, conveying the King's orders approving the usage for the physicians attendance on the prisoners, &c. Dated 24 February, 1722–3. 2 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCLXX. No. 51.]
March 27. 166. J. Scrope to the Commissioners of Customs.
“His Excellency the Count Kinski Ambassador extraordinary from the Emperor of Germany to His Majesty having desired that a box of chocolate left by his servants at Rotterdam may be imported here duty free it being a part of his provision and for his own use and intended to have come over with the rest of his baggage, the Lords of the Treasury desire you to give the most favourable directions in this affair which the law will allow, the said chocolate being of a particular composition for his lady's drinking.” [Letter Book XVIII. p. 376.]
March 27. 167. Warrant from the Lords of the Treasury to the Commissioners of the Customs authorising them to state the difference between the appointments made to Sir Wm. Keith, Baronet, late Surveyor General of the South Continent of America, and the appointments which were made to his predecessor and successor in the said office, i.e. between 495l. per annum and 280l. per annum for the time that Sir Wm. Keith continued in the execution thereof, and thereupon to give directions to the Receiver General and Cashier of the Customs to pay the amount thereof to Keith, together with the sum of 198l. 4s.d. above what he has already received, for his extra care and trouble in the recovery of certain prize duties in Jamacia amounting to a very considerable sum.
Appending:—Report of the Commissioners of the Customs, to the Lords of the Treasury, dated 1728–9, February 12 on the petition of Sir Wm. Keith referred to, them by the Lords of the Treasury. Keith was appointed Surveyor General of the Southern Continent of America in 1713–4 at a salary of 200l. per annum. In 1715 Mr. Birchfield was appointed to succeed him at a salary of 495l. per annum, being the same as was allowed to Colonel Quary, petitioner's predecessor. During his stay in office petitioner made an actual survey of all the provinces on the continent of America, viz. of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and laid before the Commissioners of the Customs a report of his survey, together with various propositions of several regulations amongst the officers of the Customs for the better execution of the laws of trade and navigation, which were approved. He also embarked for Jamaica, where he remained five months, in order to recover an old debt of 8,000l. to the Crown on prize goods taken and carried into Jamaica. This debt was in danger of being lost, but the greatest part hereof has since been paid, Keith receiving for his services 451l. 19s.d. Recommend payment to him of a further five per cent. on 3,964l. 7s. 6d., the net money paid to the Receiver General on account of that debt, which makes 198l. 4s.d. [Customs Book XII. pp. 336–8.]
March 28. 168. Memorial of John Conduitt to the Lords of the Treasury about the Mint indenture. Since receiving directions to pass the indenture of the Mint, has had assays made here and in Holland of several gold and silver trial pieces to ascertain which is nearest standard and fittest as a pattern. By Mr. Hopton Haynes' assay, the Assaymaster at the Mint, the last silver trial piece made 1728, April 11, is standard, and the only one that is so; all the former silver ones being very erroneous, particularly that of 1688. The gold trial piece made in 1688 is exact standard according to the report from Holland, and very little better than standard according to Haynes. The last gold trial piece made 1728, April 11, is one sixth grain finer than standard, which is two pence per oz., and would be a loss of so much to every importer if the moneys are coined agreeable thereto. Proposes that the silver moneys be made according to the trial pieces of 1728, April 11, and the gold by that of 1688, “which is very exact, and the only one the gold monies have been tried by ever since it was made.” Desires not to be bound to coin quarter guineas, as unserviceable. 2 pages.
Appending:
—Certificate of assays of the gold and silver trial pieces of 1660, 1688, 1707, 1728, by Hopton Haynes, and by Nicolaas Hartoog, Assaymaster of the States General. 2 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCLXX. No. 52.]
March 29. 169. Certificate of Alexander Chocke of a deficit of 3,973l. 18s.d. for the quarter in the funds granted to the South Sea Company for making good the annual sum of 400,000l. and 8,000l. Exchequer, 1729, March 29. 1 page. [Ibid, No. 53.]
March 31. 170. H. Pelham to John Scrope. By the King's order the colonels of regiments and captains of independent companies in America are to give security to indemnify the public from loss in case of their death. Lord Wilmington, Paymaster General, desires that the security may be given to the King's Remembrancer, as in 1697, and not to him. The Lords of the Treasury are to give directions to the Remembrancer accordingly. Encloses a list of the colonels and captains. 1½ pages. (Enclosure wanting.)
[Treasury Board Papers CCLXX. No. 54.]
March 31. 171. J. Scrope to [the Commissioners of Customs] transmitting Baron Sparre's desire of the free importation of some old Brussels tapestry hangings. [Letter Book XVIII. p. 377.]
March (31). 172. Treasury fees, &c. for the month of March (ut supra January, p. 13), 322l. 11s. divided equally ut supra ibid and with receipts of Horace Walpole, John Scrope and the clerks.
[Treasury Fee Book VI. pp. 267–272.]