Treasury Books and Papers: December 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: December 1739', in Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 4, 1739-1741, (London, 1901) pp. 284-290. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books-papers/vol4/pp284-290 [accessed 24 April 2024]

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December 1739

Dec. 2.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
179. Present:—Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle.
The proposals of Warren Lisle (some time since commander of the “Walker” sloop, from which he was removed to a vessel of 40 tons) to be sent to the Customs Commissioners to be put into effect and an establishment thereof framed, viz., to make him inspector of the Custom House sloops from Portsmouth to the Lands End on the same terms as Captain Martin has the inspection of the other ports on the English coast, a proper vessel being built for the service, of about the burden of the “Walker,” said Lisle being put under contract for the wear and tear thereof.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 272; Customs Book XV. p. 30.]
Dec. 2. 180. Petition to the Treasury from Joseph Liddel et al., merchants at Newcastle. Having imported there, for the use of the poor, large quantities of corn to prevent the riots that have been at that place, the Customs Commissioners insist upon the high duty, which would be a loss of 2,000l. to them. In consideration of the premises, pray to be allowed to import the corn at the low duty.
[Reference Book X. p. 166.]
Dec. 5. 181. J. Scrope to the Clerk of the Council in waiting. The Auditor of the Receipt having certified that the demands of Hatton Compton, Lieutenant of the Tower, for keeping prisoners and for contingencies, agree with the demands of former bills for the like service, the Treasury have no objection to the said bills being passed by the Lords of the Privy Council in the usual manner if they shall think fit.
[Letter Book XIX. p. 555.]
Dec. 6. 182. Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to observe an Order in Council as below.
Prefixing:—An Order of the King in Council at St. James's of same date, on the application to His Majesty from several traders in rice and fish, representing that the continuing of the embargo (imposed on the 27th ult.) on ships laden with rice and fish will be very detrimental to several of His Majesty's subjects who are concerned in the Plantation and fishing trades: therefore ordered that all ships or vessels laden or to be laden with rice or fish be permitted to proceed on their respective voyages, the aforementioned Order in Council to the contrary notwithstanding, “and whereas it has been represented to His Majesty … that several of His Majesty's subjects who have already prepared any quantities of malted corn for exportation will be exposed to great inconveniences and hardships if they should be prevented from exporting such malted corn in due time, in regard they are obliged by law before they begin to to steep the same, to give notice thereof in writing to the proper officer, and to keep the same separate from other corn intended to be made into malt for home consumption, and when dried to be measured and carried on ship board or put into storehouses under two locks and keys, one for the proprietor and the other for the officer appointed to attend that service, and that in case it should appear that any of the malt entered and made for exportation shall not within a limited time after the working and drying thereof and carrying the same into storehouses be exported, the proprietor of the malt not so exported shall for every bushell forfeit the sum of 5s.”: therefore ordered that all malt declared or made for exportation on or before date hereof (Dec. 6) shall and may be exported notwithstanding the present embargo, provided the proprietor thereof shall produce to the collector or chief officer of the port where such malt shall be exported a certificate from the officer with whom the entry of the corn intended to be made into such malt for exportation shall have been made, that the said malt was actually declared or made for exportation on or before date hereof.
[Customs Book XV. pp. 33–4; North Britain Book XIII. pp. 76–7.]
Dec. 6. 183. Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to observe an Order of the King in Council, prefixed in detail, made on the memorial of the Admiralty Lords, releasing from the embargo all ships employed in the service of the Navy or Victualling laden with provisions; care being taken by the Customs officers that when said ships are cleared no other provisions be put on board above what is necessary for the ships' complement but such as shall be certified by the Commissioners of the Navy or Victualling to be for His Majesty's service.
[Customs Book, Ibid. p. 35; North Britain Book, Ibid. p. 75.]
Dec. 9.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
184. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle, Mr. Treby.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy out of funds anno 1740, of 120,410l. as by his memorials of the 27th and 28th instant.
Same for same of the following, out of the Civil List Revenues:—
£ s. d.
To the foreign ministers on their appointments for 1740, Lady Day quarter 7,488 19 2
To several sheriffs for rewards paid by them for apprehending highwaymen and overpayments on their accounts 2,205 10
To Mr. Stewart for three quarters due 1740, Michaelmas, to Mrs. Jane Ireland on her pension of 50l. per an. 37 10 0
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 273.]
Dec. 11. 185. An account, dated Navy Office, of the charge in the Navy for transport service at the time the transports last sailed from St. Helens and what further charge will incur for that service in the year 1740 together with what part thereof has been already satisfied. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCIV. No. 30.]
[after
Dec. 15.]
186. a–c. Three papers relating to Henry Popple's debt of 6,249l. 16s.d. to the 6 new raised Independent Companies at Jamaica as absconding Agent and Paymaster to same, viz.:
(a) Remarks upon Mr. Popple's said debt. 2½ pages.
(b) Reasons [undated], subscribed by John Walkinshaw, solicitor to the petitioners, offered to the Treasury “why Mr. Popple could not properly be deemed a banker to any of the officers of the 6 Independent Companies of foot in Jamaica,” said Henry Popple having absconded. “… By reason that even in Kingston, the greatest town in the Island for trade, the officers cannot always have cash for their bills, the only currency there being of Spanish doubloons, pistoles, pieces-of-eight and bills; these scarce and for the most part laid hold of by the agents for the South Sea Company and by the agents for the contractors for the Navy, and hoarded up until a proper occasion offers of returning them to Britain, they being instructed to return nothing but cash.” In the inland parts of the Island there is no cash at all, and the troops are subsisted on credit. Captain Newton was appointed paymaster by Popple and countenanced by the present Governor. His drafts to sundry officers in part of balances due would be greatly prejudiced if Popple is alleged a banker to any of the said officers. 2 pages.
(c) State of the strength of the 6 new raised Independent Companies at Jamaica on the 15th Dec., 1740 (effectives 380, wanting to complete the Companies 220). “By this account, which is Governor Trelawney's return, there are 220 men wanting, and if regard is had to the deaths which might since have happened particularly to 82 recruits which were then just arrived, many of whom were sick, it may be computed that at least there are now wanting 280 men to complete the 6 companies.” Calculations as to the cost of completing the companies. 1¼ pages.
[Ibid. No. 31.]
Dec. 16.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
187. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle, Mr. Treby.
The Duke of Newcastle's letter of the 28th ult. read conveying His Majesty's pleasure for the discharge of the Portuguese vessel “St. Ambrose,” Francis Manual de Lima, master, and its cargo, both under seizure on account of Spanish goods on board. A copy of the minute of Novr. 4 last, relating to this affair, to be sent to his Grace.
The report from the Board of Works of the 11th ult. read proposing a house in Dover Street at 215l. per an. rent for the office of the Comptrollers of Army Accounts. Their Lordships think both the rent and the distance of the House from the public offices too great. Said Board to look out some house nearer and cheaper.
“Mr. Carkesse's letter of the 12th instant being read, by which my Lords are given to understand that before the date of His Majesty's Order in Council for an embargo on corn ships, the Commissioners of the Customs had given leave to a master of a galliott hoy of Amsterdam that came into Rye the 15th of last month (having received damage at sea) to land and dry the wheat she was laded with and re-ship the same for exportation to Havre de Grace,” said Commissioners are to permit said re-loading accordingly notwithstanding the embargo, their Lordships being of the opinion that the hoy ought to have the effect of the said Commissioners' leave so given.
“Let the Commissioners also know that my Lords are not inclined to give any general directions about foreign vessels putting into any ports of this kingdom laden with corn to proceed on their voyages, being bound to foreign parts, but will consider every such case as it may happen according to the representation they shall make thereof.”
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 274; Letter Book XIX. pp. 556–7; Customs Book XV. p. 45.]
Dec. 17. 188. Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to observe an Order in Council of the 16th instant for discharging from the [Victualling] embargo [of Nov. 27] all ships henceforth to be freighted with provisions for the garrison of Gibraltar, due care being taken by the Customs officers when such ships shall be cleared that no other provisions be put on board them over and above what may be necessary for the ship's complement but such as shall be for the service of the said garrison.
[Customs Book XV. p. 34.]
Dec. 19.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
189. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Treby.
Their Lordships agree to the proposal of Peter Burrell and John Bristow for the supply of a further sum of 21,000l. at Jamaica for the pay of Lord Cathcart's expedition at the same rate as in their proposal of July 9 last. The Paymaster of the Forces and the Paymaster of Marines to be informed hereof so that the said sum may be issued for the bills accordingly.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces out of funds for the service of 1740 of 159,815l. 14s. 1d., as by his memorial of the 9th instant, to complete the vote for the service of his office for said year.
Same for same to the Treasurer of the Navy out of same of 126,340l. for services as in his memorial of the 15th instant.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 275.]
Dec. 19. 190. J. Scrope to the Secretary at War. “You will perceive by the enclosed letter from” Mr. Carkesse, the Customs Commissioners' Secretary, “that the embargo is not to be kept at Falmouth unless the Commanding Officers of the garrisons of Pendennis and of St. Mawes Castle be assisting to the officers of the Customs therein.” The Treasury therefore desire the necessary orders to said Commanders to so assist by compelling the masters of ships laden with provisions in the said port to obey the embargo.
[Letter Book XIX. p. 557.]
Dec. 23.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
191. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle.
Order for a royal warrant to the Paymaster of the Forces for 6 months' subsidy to the King of Denmark due Sept. 3 last.
Same for same for 1,455l. 8s. 0d. for General Oglethorpe on account for his bills of exchange on Herman Verelst for His Majesty's service in the West Indies.
Same for the issue to the Treasurer of the Ordnance out of funds for the service of 1740 of 58,563l. 19s. 3d. as part of the 200,000l. for the extraordinaries of the war to be applied to answer expense in said office on account of Lord Cathcart's expedition to the West Indies.
Mr. Lowther to pay out of the King's money in his hands 20l. to Thomas Wells.
Mr. Carkesse's letter of the 19th read for directions to the Customs Commissioners in regard to butter seized at Plymouth out of the “Fox hunter,” lately condemned, being laden with woollen goods from Cork to Lisbon. It is their Lordships' opinion that as butter is not prohibited to be exported from Ireland the proprietors of this consignment should be permitted to export same.
“Repeat the letter of the 7th of Novr. last to the Commissioners of the Navy for an account then writ for of the charge in the Navy for transport service at the time the transports sailed from St. Hellens, and what further charge would incur for that service for the year 1740, that their Lordships may consider what share may be allotted to that service out of the 200,000l. granted for extraordinaries of the war for the year 1740.”
[[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 276–7; Letter Book XIX. p. 557; Customs Book XV. p. 47.]
[after
Dec. 25.]
192. a–k. 11 statements or abbreviats of account of moneys received and issued by Allan Whitefoord, Receiver General in Scotland for part of the year 1740 by periods as follow:—
(a) 1739, Dec. 24 to 1739–40, Jan 26. (b) Jan. 26 to March 1. (c) March 1 to 1740, March 29. (d) March 29 to April 26. (e) April 26 to May 31. (f) May 31 to June 28. (g) June 28 to July 26. (h) July 26 to Aug. 30. (i) Sept. 27 to Oct. 25. (j) Oct. 25 to Nov. 29. (k) Nov. 29 to Dec. 25. 11 double pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCIV. No. 32.]
Dec. 26. 193. Treasury warrant to the Auditor of the Receipt for the issue of 105l. to John Lawton for 1740, Xmas quarter, for himself and 3 clerks for sorting, digesting, methodizing and reducing to order the books and records in the Court of the Receipt of the Exchequer.
Appending:—Said Lawton's certificate of the work done during the quarter. “Mr. Stewart has been sorting miscellaneous records; Mr. Farley, Mr. Smart, Mr. Strachey and Mr. Cole have been sorting Star Chamber Records.”
[Money Book XL. p. 213.]
Dec. 29. 194. An account, dated Victualling Office, of the extraordinary expenses for the service of His Majesty's Victualling for the year 1740 not provided for by Parliament, and of what hath been paid towards satisfying the same.
The account concludes with the following memorandum. N.B.—“There has been imprested to the contractors for victualling the seamen and the 500 soldiers on board Commodore Anson's Squadron, bound on a secret expedition, the sum of 10,000l., the proportion whereof for the soldiers amounts to 2,577l. 6s. 4d.Practically in duplicate. 2 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCIV. No. 33.]
Dec. 30.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
195. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Treby.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List Funds:—
£ s. d.
To the Treasurer of the Chambers for the establishment of that Office, 1740, Midsummer quarter 6,768 0 0
To the Privy Purse 3,000 0 0
To the Cofferer of the Household for imprests to the Purveyors to 1740 Xmas 8,000 0 0
To the Works, 1740, Midsummer quarter 6,625 0 0
To the Judges, 1740, Trinity term 6,502 0 0
To the Earl Waldegrave a quarter's ordinary to 1740, June 11 1,300 0 0
To the Treasurer of the Chambers for bills 1740, Lady Day quarter 3,135 4 8
To Mr. Steuart to clear pensions, 1740, Lady Day quarter 8,788 3 0
To the Lords of the Treasury et al. 1740, Xmas quarter 12,620 6
Same for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy out of funds for the service of 1740, of 8,700l. for a quarter's salaries due 1740 Xmas to the Lords of the Admiralty et al. and for a quarter's pensions due the same time, as by his memorial of the 24th instant.
Same for same out of same to the Paymaster of the Marines of 11,406l. 11s. 0d. to complete the 127,983l. 18s. 0d. granted by Parliament for the marines for 1740.
The letter of the 29th instant from the Secretary of the Customs Commissioners read concerning the ship “Mary,” from Waterford, Ireland, James Barr master, with butter, and the “Matilda,” from Cork, Philip Noal master, with beef and butter, both in Penzance. Their Lordships approve the said Commissioners' directions to keep said ships under embargo until further orders. They further approve their proceedings in the case of the “Magdalene,” from Dublin, John Dampsey master, laden with beef, butter, and hides, and now under embargo at Falmouth, as by letter from same of same date.
The report of the Customs Commissioners of the 29th instant read on the petition of the East India Company for delivery of 44 boxes of silk from China consigned as raw silk but seized as being thrown silk. On payment of the duties the Attorney General to enter a noli pros to the information, the officer making the seizure having been satisfied his part on the licence for compounding said seizure.
Same from same of the 25th ult. read on the petition of Carleton Thrupp of London, merchant, relating to two ships, the “James and Anne” and “The Brothers,” seized at Liverpool with Spanish wines and fruit, under the act for prohibiting commerce with Spain. Their Lordships order the prosecution in this case to be moderated and the owners to have liberty to export their cargo to Ireland on giving security for that purpose and recompensing the officers making the seizure.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 278–80.]
[After
Dec. 31.]
196. (a) A state of the national debt provided or unprovided for by Parliament as it stood on the 31 Dec., 1739 (total 46,129,946l. 3s.d.) and on the 31 Dec., 1740 (total 45,943,946l. 3s.d.) 1 sheet.
(b) Statement of the account between the Exchequer and the Sinking Fund for abovesaid year, or an account of the produce of the Sinking Fund for said year and to the payment of what debts contracted before 1716, Dec. 25, same has been applied. 1 sheet.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCIV. No. 35.]
197. A paper of calculations relating to the debt of the Navy on the 31 December, 1740 (total 1,301,525l. 11s. 0d.) as compared with same on same day 1739 (total 824,684l. 15s. 6d.) 1 page.
[Ibid. No. 36.]
198. An account of services incurred anno 1740, not provided for by Parliament (total 36,157l. 19s.d.). 1 pages.
[Ibid. No. 37.]
[1740 ?] 199. Memorial to the Lords Justices General of Ireland from Luke Gardiner, Deputy Receiver and Paymaster-General ibid. In 1739, the Irish Parliament voted 35,262l. 10s. 0d. to supply 20,000 firelocks and bayonets for the Militia of Ireland. Out of said sum memorialist has paid from time to time on account, 26,368l. 15s.d., together with 900l. for interest on said 35,262l. 10s. 0d., which was taken in on loan. The arms are now providing and being daily delivered to the war stores in Ireland. Prays a royal warrant to the Commissioners of Accounts, Ireland, to allow memorialist said sum in his accounts and the balance also when it shall be expended. 1 page.
[Ibid. No. 38.]