Treasury Books and Papers: January 1745

Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 5, 1742-1745. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1903.

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'Treasury Books and Papers: January 1745', in Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 5, 1742-1745, (London, 1903) pp. 656-665. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books-papers/vol5/pp656-665 [accessed 27 April 2024]

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January 1745

1744–5.
Jan. 1.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
1. Present: Mr. [Pelham] Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Fox, Mr. Arundell, Mr. Littleton.
His Majesty's Commission of date 1744, Dec. 26, read, appointing the above five Commissioners of the Treasury.
A memorial read from Anthony Chute and Thomas Puckeridge, representatives of Fra. Whithead, hereditary Ranger of Bere Forest, for certain repairs and expenses there. Referred to the Surveyor of Woods.
Order for issues out of the Civil List revenues as follow:—
£ s. d.
To the Royal family, Lords of the Treasury et al., as per list 28,834 13 10½
To Mr. Ellis 850 0 0
To L. Serches 500 0 0
To the foreign ministers 8,737 7 2
To the Privy Purse 3,000 0 0
To the late Queen's servants 3,733 4 10
To Richmond Lodge 887 6 0
To the Treasurer of the Chamber for bills 3,499 19 3
To the Robes 509 0 0
To the Great Wardrobe 8,946 14 10
To the Great Wardrobe Master's salary 500 0 0
Order for the issue of 230,002l. 0s.d. to make good the deficiency of land tax and malt duties, 1742.
A letter read from Mr. Wood to Mr. Scrope, with one enclosed from the riding officers at Folkestone, praying military assistance against the smugglers, there being no soldiers nearer than Dover, and they refusing to march above 5 miles. The Secretary at War to be desired to give the proper directions therefor.
A same from same read concerning the smugglers carrying away John Bolton and 2 others for attempting to arrest John Jenner, a smuggler: with examinations and informations, detailed.
Two same from same read, one of Dec. 24, acquainting my Lords that the crews of 5 ships under quarantine have broken out of them before expiration of quarantine, upon apprehension of being imprested by a tender of the “Royal Sovereign”; the other of Dec. 29, enclosing the request of the Comptroller of Chichester, for the assistance of a small man of war against the attempts of John Grayling, a notorious smuggler in a large armed cutter.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 106–7; Reference Book X. p. 265; Letter Book XX. p. 158.]
Jan. 1. 2. An account, certified by John Savary, of the receipts from the deduction of 6d. per £ from 1744, Dec. 1 to 1744–5, Jan. 1. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXVI. No. 1.]
Jan. 1. 3. An accompt of all moneys issued and paid by Allan Whitefoord, Receiver General in Scotland, and Cashier of the funds applicable towards encouraging fisheries and manufactures there, pursuant to precepts issued upon him by the Commissioners and Trustees appointed for the management of the said funds: all for the year 1743, Dec. 25 to 1744, Dec. 25. 7 paqes.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXVI. No. 2.]
Jan. 3.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
4. Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Fox, Mr. Arundell, Mr. Lyttleton.
Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer of 83,692l. 3s. 3d. on his memorial of this day's date, and in part of 274,328l. 17s. 4d.
Write to the Commissioners of the Navy for an account of what sums remain in the hands of the respective late Navy Treasurers, and how long they have remained in their hands.
A report from the Customs Commissioners of the 29th ult. read on a petition of Henry Lascelles for copies of papers relating to his accounts as late Collector of Barbados. Lascelles to have copies of all papers prayed by him in a schedule unless particular objection thereto is stated. The Commissioners to make their report forthwith on the petition of Lascelles, Upton, and Rawlings, referred to them on Oct. 5 last.
Enter a caveat in the name of Richard Arderne against granting a lease to James Cholmondeley, or any other, of the forest of Delamere.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. p. 108; Letter Book XX. p. 158; Customs Book XV. pp. 482–3.]
Jan. 8.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
5. Present: ut supra.
Mr. Lloyd from the Secretary at War attends my Lords with estimates for 1745.
Auditor Benson's report read on the memorial of General Oglethorpe for 19,168l. 18s. 4d. granted last session.
A letter from Mr. Corbett to the Secretaries of the Treasury read concerning the “Virgin Mary,” a fly boat of Danzic, being seized by the “Baltimore” at Plymouth, Capt. Thomas Cleland, as laden with masts and other naval stores from Riga to Port Louis in France. To be sent to the Receiver of the droits of Admiralty to proceed according to the directions of the Admiralty concerning the expense of an intended appeal.
A petition read from George Udney concerning his debentures for 1,112l. for rice exported. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:— To Mr. Parker, 406l. 11s. 0d.; Mr. Burrish, 680l.; Mr. Davis, 500l.; Mr. Emerson, 65l.
It being represented that the Harwich and Ostend packet boats stay on the other side for fear of being taken, the property of them not being in the Crown, write to the Postmaster General for an account who had the property and what was the expense of those boats in Queen Anne's war, and how they stand now.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. p. 109; Letter Book XX. p. 159; Reference Book X. p. 266.]
Jan. 8. 6. Contract between the Treasury and the Bank of England for the circulation by the latter of 1,000,000l. in Exchequer bills on land tax, for the service of 1745: all in renewal and extension of the similar contract made 1744, July 25, for the circulation of 2,500,000l. in Exchequer bills, save that the interest or premium to be allowed shall be 3½ per cent.
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVII. p. 324.]
Jan. 10.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
7. Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Fox, Mr. Arundell.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces of 66,668l. 0s. 1d., in part of his memorial of this day for 85,836l. 18s. 5d.
Memorandum
:—Issued only 50,967l. 19s.d., viz.. in full of the pay and forage of the General and Staff officers, and of the staff, &c. of the hospital in Flanders 37,703l. 17s.d.; and in further part to the Plantations 13,264l. 1s. 11½d.
A petition read from the freeholders and farmers of co. Lancaster, for taking off the duty on soapers' waste imported from Ireland, which amounts to about 56l. per an. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
A report read from the Surveyor General [of Lands] on the representation from the Board of Works concerning ground adjoining Westminster Hall, proposed to be exchanged by the Westminster Bridge Commissioners. Referred to the King's Remembrancer in the Exchequer to consult the Barons and other officers of the Exchequer, and certify any objection thereto.
Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer of 144,006l. 14s. 0d. in further part of his memorial of the 3rd inst.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. p. 110; Letter Book XX. p. 159; Reference Book X. p. 266.]
Jan. 11. 8. Report to the King from the Commissioners and Trustees for Fisheries and Manufactures in Scotland for the year ended 1744, Xmas. The revenue [in Scotland] has been this year so deficient as not to have afforded hitherto more than 500l. out of [i.e., towards] the annuity of 2,000l. granted by the Act of 5 Geo. I., and due at Midsummer last. The following expense therefore already incurred is to be met as money comes in:—
£ s. d.
For improving the fishery 403 9 0
For improving the linen manufacture 2,248 5 0
For promoting the manufacture of coarse wool 501 10 0
leaving a saving of 846l. 16s. 0d. out of the whole fund of 4,000l. per an. (which said fund of 4,000l. is made up of the above 2,000l., and of a further 2,000l., being interest on 40,000l. principal remaining with the Royal Bank of Scotland). The fishery is in a declining state. The herring fishery on the coast has failed everywhere except in the openings of the Clyde, where only 6,572 barrels were caught and cured for export. The vessel fitted out from Zetland for the cod fishing began successfully, but after a few days' fishing was taken and plundered by a French privateer. The undertaker entreated to be released from the obligation he was under to pursue the fishing in the year now current, which the Trustees complied with, thus saving for this year the premium of 80l. The undertaker from the Clyde to fish for cod on banks to the westward of St. Kilda has been likewise released on his application, thus saving the premium of 75l. Whilst fishing in large vessels at any distance from the coast is by the war rendered unsafe it seems expedient to try some method of making the winter cod fishing in small open boats close by the coast useful by introducing the Dutch method of salting and curing cod, which preserves the fish for many months fit for use, and brings a reasonable price at the foreign market. The only method of curing cod hitherto practised in Scotland has been to split and dry them in the sun on the beach, a practice which cannot be successfully followed in winter, and is the reason why fishermen in that season, when the coast cod is best, do not carry on the business further than is necessary for serving the country with fresh cod. Therefore propose to give to William Finlay and Archibald Wylie, masters of wherries in the Firth of Clyde, 30l. each for fishing for cod the year through, for searching out and discovering the proper banks for cod in that firth, and on the neighbouring coast, and for introducing the [Dutch] method of curing barrelled cod.
The linen manufacture continues to prosper notwithstanding its many difficulties. In the year 5,480,727 yards were stamped for sale, an excess over last year of 419,416 yards, excluding the large quantities constantly made for private use. The increase would be much more were it not for the extravagant price yarn bears owing to its being exported to England and Ireland, and the demand for it to be converted into thread and thread stockings, whereof a thriving manufacture is carried on in this country. As the loom stands its ground against this discouragement the Trustees hope it will make a speedy progress when the price of yarn shall, by the increase of the quantity of flax and of the number of spindles, be reduced. This high price of yarn is also the cause of the small progress hitherto made in the coarser sorts of cloth imitating Osnaburgs and Hessians. Those fabrics require a coarser sort of yarn for their woof than the spinsters in this country have been accustomed to produce, and as they can get a high price for what they now make no temptation has availed with them to alter their method. So that the 50l. offered for prizes for encouraging coarse spinning has been saved, both this year and last. Hope that with the increase of home-raised flax, the coarser part whereof, as well as the tow, must be employed for coarse yarn, the price of coarse flax and tow will be brought as low in Scotland as beyond seas. Still propose to offer 50l. for next year for spinning coarse yarn. The disposition to sow flax over the country is daily growing. In the present year have paid premiums for 35 acres more than in the last, and in last year for 106 acres more than in the preceding one. This proceeds from the farmers' knowing more of the art of raising and dressing flax than heretofore. By repeated experiments it appears that flax is by much the most profitable crop that any farmer in this country can raise, and that any person skilled in the pulling, watering, grazing and dressing of flax, and who has ponds, fields and proper hands for the business, can afford to pay to the farmer for one acre of flax as it stands on the ground very near double the value of what that acre sowed with any other seed would produce, and have to himself a return of as much more after all expenses. What prevents the speedy propagation of flax raising is that this truth is not universally known and believed, and that the farmer after he sees a fine crop standing on his ground is disappointed of his hope of profit by miscarriages in some one or other of the succeeding operations. To remove this difficulty propose to set up in the flax raising districts persons skilled in the pulling, watering and dressing of flax to purchase flax from the farmers as it stands in the fields, and to go through the subsequent parts of the operation on his own account. This will encourage the farmers, and will also lead persons skilled in flax dressing to think of following that as a separate business after the example of Holland, where the dealer in this branch goes by the name of a lint-boor. Therefore propose to issue 100l. to each of two undertakers to be stationed in different flax-raising neighbourhoods, they giving security to purchase from the neighbouring farmers at reasonable rates for the current and two subsequent years the flax standing on 20 acres.
The mystery of whitening fine linen is perfectly understood by Messrs. Gray and those that have been instructed by them. Several experiments have been made for discovering a cheap method of whitening coarse cloth, but without success hitherto. Have expectation from several experiments made on a lee discovered by James Spalding, and propose to issue 50l. to him for same. From 1741 till last Xmas a foreign diaper worker has been entertained at an expense of 40l. per an. to instruct the manufacturers in the best method of mounting diaper looms and working figured linen. He has accordingly communicated his knowledge, whereby the manufacturers are considerably improved. William Cheap, a master in the figured work, was directed to make and alter mountings according to his directions, and to entertain four apprentices to the diaper and damask loom, which he has done at some loss. Propose to pay him 160l. to indemnify him, and to aid three of those apprentices, who are still alive, to enable them to mount diaper looms, and 20l. to the foreigner to allow him to return home. Were unwilling to let slip the opportunity of receiving instructions from the foreign diaper worker met with in Scotland, but do not judge it prudent in the present scanty condition of the Improvements Fund to attempt propagating that manufacture, as the figured loom is so much more expensive than the plain, and as Scotland is not yet provided with sufficient flax of its own growth and of such cheapness as to put the manufacturers here on a level with those countries beyond seas where figured linen is the staple commodity. But as the weavers are now possessed of the art do not fear that it can be quickly diffused so soon as the situation of the Improvements Fund will permit.
In consequence of the success of the spinning schools for fine yarn at Inverness, Elgin, Forres and Crieff, other boroughs are desirous of having the same instruction, particularly Dumfries, which lately sent none to be instructed at a school erected there, and Dundee, where they have found out a person qualified to teach a sort of spinning which they believe will be proper for coloured thread, of which a promising manufacture is established there. Propose therefore to set up schools at Dumfries and Dundee. Have appointed a stampmaster to check the abuse prevailing in the yarn market of delivering by a short reel and a false tale. In Kirkcaldy and the neighbouring boroughs of Fife there has appeared a promising manufacture of checks and striped linens as well as of thread stockings. Propose to encourage a proper person to store whitened yarn fit for said manufacture. Propose also to issue 100l. to a company at Glasgow who have set up a manufacture of tapes and incle there, and 70l. to one at Dundee, who have similarly carried on a manufacture of coloured or tailors' thread. Pursuant to the propositions of last year the cambric manufacture is put into the hands of Messrs. Tod and McCulloh, who are in possession of all the houses and vaults not possessed by the foreign weavers. The money in the warehouse keeper's hands, 860l. 7s. 7d., has been delivered to them as well as the salary of 100l. intended for the said warehouse keeper up to Xmas last, and they are carrying on the manufacture according to their contract with the Trustees. As the foreign cambric workers stand still in need of the small annual aids, propose to continue them. The office of warehouse keeper was held by the Secretary to the Trustees, who for many years carried on that bulky business to the satisfaction of the whole country. As his salary is now appropriated to Messrs. Tod and McCulloh, propose a salary for him for the past year. Detail further propositions for the expenditure of 1,541l. out of the 3,811l. 15s.d., representing savings on the fund. 25 pages.
Followed by
:—(a) Abstract of said report. 4 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXVI. No. 6.]
Jan. 15.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
9. Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Fox, Mr. Arundell, Mr. Lyttelton.
Auditor Benson's report read on General Oglethorpe's memorial for 19,168l. 18s. 4d., to be paid him on the estimate given in to the House. The Auditor being of opinion that the regular method of issuing and applying that sum would be upon an establishment to be prepared and signed by the King for that purpose, my Lords recommend it to the Treasurer [sic, for Secretary] at War to prepare an establishment pursuant to the estimate.
A petition read from the Duke of Buccleuch for a reversionary lease of the manors of Whaplode and Moulton Bouzellas, co. Lincoln. Referred to the Surveyor General [of Lands].
Auditor Aislabie's state read of the account of General Wentworth's bringing over the Dutch forces in 1744. Order for a warrant for passing the account. Said General's petition read for an allowance for his charge, &c., in same.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues, viz., to the poor of London, 1,000l.; Dean and Chapter of Lichfield, 20l.; Mr. Legg, 50l.; Chancellor of the Garter, 285l. 2s. 6d.; Mr. Janssen, 290l. 4s. 0d.; salaries, &c., at the Exchequer, 4,994l. 11s. 0d.; Mr. Hooper, for pensions, 6,728l. 17s. 2d.; King's goldsmith, 1,764l. 17s. 2d.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. p. 111.]
Jan. 19. 10. The Lords Justices of Ireland to the Earl of Chesterfield, Lord Lieutenant, forwarding accounts of exceedings as follows, for the King's pleasure thereon. 1 page.
Appending
:—(a) Account of payments made in the Treasury Office, Dublin, on account of Concordatums from 1744, Lady Day to 1744–5, Jan. 11. (Total 6,502l. 3s.d., as against an established allowance of 4,000l.) 7 pages.
(b) Same of same in same on account of Barracks for same date. (Total 16,354l. 13s. 5d., as against an established allowance of 10,669l. 4s. 0d.) 6 pages.
(c) Same of same in same on account of Military Contingencies for same date. (Total 3,561l. 9s. 0d., as against an established allowance of 2,400l.) 6 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXVI. No. 9.]
Jan. 22.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
11. Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Fox, Mr. Arundell, Mr. Lyttelton.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:— To Mr. Henley, 107l. 4s. 2d.; the Duke of Richmond for the Stables, 4,000l.; the Judges et al., 6,582l. 10s. 0d.; the Treasurer of the Chambers, for messengers, 1,000l.
The Apothecary General's bill read for medicines, &c. for the Army for 1744, amounting to 3,675l. 19s. 9d. Referred to the Comptrollers of Army Accounts.
“Read, and Mr. Bowen directed to lay before the House of Commons, the account of the supply, anno 1744.”
A memorial of this day's date read from Messrs. John Gore and Son proposing their remitting money for the service of the British troops abroad, viz.: for the troops in Flanders at 10 guilders 13 stivers current money of Amsterdam per £ sterling, two-thirds at eight days' sight, one-third at a month. The like read in identical terms from Joseph Gulston, junr. My Lords will answer same.
Mr. Legge's report read on the petition of Anthony Chester and Thomas Buckridge for repairs.
A representation from said Legge read of the waste committed in Dean Forest by order of Viscount Gage. Referred to Mr. Sharpe to examine the allegations and report.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 112–3; Letter Book XX. p. 160.]
Jan. 22. 12. Royal warrant, countersigned by the Treasury Lords, to the Duke of Montagu, Master General of the Ordnance, directing the bills from St. John's, Newfoundland, drawn by Captain Thomas Smith (captain of a man of war, and lately commanding in chief in Newfoundland) for putting that land in a proper posture of defence, to be paid by the Board of Ordnance: said bills amounting in whole to 6,700l., whereof 4,200l. has been already paid.
Appending:—Note of said bills, four in number, the first being dated St. John's, 1743, November 14, for 1,000l. to the order of James Wibault, “for enabling him to pay the second engineer, storekeeper, overseers, master gunner, artificers, English labourers and soldiers employed in repairing Fort William; also for paying further sums on the contract for victualling the marines and English labourers made by me with Messrs. Masters and Ballard; also for purchasing such materials as shall be wanted for compleating what I have directed for the security of this place; also for payment of a boat for visiting ships and other incidents.”
[King's Warrant Book XXXVI. pp. 85–6.]
Jan. 22. 13. Royal warrant to William Aislabie, one of the Auditors of Imprests, to pass Major General Wentworth's account of the transportation of the 6,000 Dutch forces brought to England from Holland in 1744.
Appending:—Statement of said account as drawn up by James Thomas, deputy to said Aislabie, said account giving the names of the transport ships (15 Dutch and 38 English) employed in the transaction. (Total charge, 13,953l. 17s. 10d.; total discharge, 13,924l. 5s. 9d., including 5,736l., being money to Ruer Jannerberg, Commissary of the Dutch forces, upon account of the pay of the 6,000 Dutch forces, according to a resolution of the States General of 1744, March 9). With memorandum in margin: “The difference of pay between English and Dutch is all that is to be paid by England, so this sum is to be surcharged on the said Paymaster in his account of that pay.”
[Ibid. pp. 79–83.]
Jan. 24. 14. J. Scrope to the Comptrollers of Army Accounts, transmitting a bill of George Garnier, Apothecary General to the Army, for medicines for the hospitals in Germany, Flanders, Jamaica, Ruatan, and Bermudas, and for 36 pairs of regimental chests, amounting in the whole to 3,675l. 19s. 9d., all for them to report their opinion as to the reasonableness thereof, “and whether you are satisfied of the delivery of the particulars therein set forth.”
Appending:—Copy of said bill.
[Letter Book XX. p. 159.]
Jan. 24. 15. Commission in the form of Treasury letters patents appointing Henry Fane, Peter Leheup, Christopher Lowe, Joseph Wright, Metcalf Graham, John Kirrill, James Moneypenny, and Elfred Staples to take in the 1744 lottery tickets, and to make, sign, and deliver out certificates in lieu thereof: all in accordance with the act of 17 Geo. II. for raising 1,800,000l. by annuities and a lottery.
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVII. pp. 287–8.]
Jan. 28. 16. Royal warrant, countersigned by the Treasury Lords, to William Chetwynde, Master and Worker of the Mint in the Tower, to coin all gold and silver according to the rules and directions of the last mint indenture as made with John Conduitt in 5 Geo. II. until a fresh indenture is made.
[King's Warrant Book XXXVI. p. 89.]
17. Same to same, ratifying and confirming for the present Master and Worker all the royal warrants directed to John Conduitt and Richard Arundell for the copper coinage for England and Ireland, viz., the royal sign manuals of 1729, July 24, 1732–3, January 26, and 1738, August 17.
[Ibid. pp. 89–90.]
Jan. 29.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
18. Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Arundell, Mr. Lyttelton.
A memorial to Sir William Yong read from Mr. Gould, agent to Major Gen. Phillips's regiment of foot, concerning the bills for the subsistence of four companies taken prisoner by the French at Canso, and carried to Louisburg, viz.: from 1744, May 13, to Sept. 18, when they arrived at Boston. Referred to the Comptroller of Army Accounts to certify what numbers of effective men were taken prisoners. A memorial also read from Mr. Woodford, contractor for victualling Placentia, Canso, and Annapolis, concerning the bills drawn by the captains of said four companies, praying that there should be no deduction therefrom on account of said companies. The Comptrollers of Army Accounts to consult with Mr. Gould in order to their laying a clear state of this matter before my Lords.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Ordnance of 80,000l., half for land and half for sea services, as by his memorial of the 22nd inst.
Same for same to the Paymaster of the Forces of 124,964l. for two months' subsist and pay of the forces in Flanders, upon his memorial of the — inst., for four months, and for 10,000l. for contingencies. Issue also the said 10,000l.
Same for same to the Navy Treasurer of 94,493l. 19s. 8d. for the course carrying interest, in part of his memorial of this day for 180,725l. 13s. 8d.
Same for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:— To the Cofferer for purveyors for the month of January, 2,500l.; the Duke of St. Albans, 20l.; George Lord Beauclerk, 35l.; the Earl of Warwick, 400l.; Sir Clement Cotterell Dormer, 545l. 18s. 6d.; Mr. Vansittart for Mote Park, 322l. 8s. 0d.; the Board of Works, for 1743, Xmas quarter, 5,679l. 4s. 9d.; Mr. Davis, 1,500l.; to certain sheriffs, 500l.
A petition read from the Grand Jury of the Tower Liberty for nine lamps to prevent mischief on Tower Hill. This expense to be placed on the annual bill of contingencies at the Tower.
Mr. Walpole's representation of the 24th inst. read concerning the great injury done to the Crown with regard to the collecting and recovering of quit rents in New York by an act passed at New York in May, 1742, for regulating the payment of the quit-rents and for partition of lands in order thereto. Referred to the Board of Trade.
The proposals of Messrs. Gore and Mr. Gulston ut supra, p. 662 agreed to.
A letter to Mr. Scrope from the Victualling Commissioners read concerning David Campbell's account as Commissary of stores and provisions for Lord Cathcart's expedition, being of provisions committed to his care, and of those sold at Jamaica on the reduction of the Forces, and shewing a balance of 4,910l. in his hands due to the Crown; the Commissioners representing that they do not think themselves judges of the reasonableness of the several articles for which he claims credit or that they are authorised to receive the said balance, and praying my Lords' directions herein. My Lords refer same to the Auditors of Imprests to examine the vouchers, and direct that the surplus be paid into the Exchequer in passing his account.
“My Lords showing that there is now in the hands of the several late Treasurers of the Navy and of Mr. William Corbet 177,554l. 18s.d., of which 137,556l. 0s.d. is on the head of seamen's wages, their Lordships desire the Commissioners of the Navy to consider of and propose such a method as without prejudice to the said Treasurers and Mr. Corbett in passing their accounts, may enable the paying over the said sums into the present Treasurer's hands that the same may be applyed for the benefit of the publick.”
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 114–6; Letter Book XX. pp. 160–1.]
Jan. 31.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
19. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Fox, Mr. Arundell, Mr. Lytelton.
Mr. Reed is to be paid 525l. in satisfaction of his order signed for that sum for transporting felons.
A memorial read from the Board of Ordnance, with a plan of the town and fortifications of Gosport, praying that a lease of lands there, granted to Abraham Frecker, may be revoked in accordance with the covenant for the resumption of same if wanted for fortifications. Referred to the Surveyor General of Lands.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. p. 117; Letter Book XX. p. 162.]