Minute Book: July 1661

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 1, 1660-1667. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1904.

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'Minute Book: July 1661', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 1, 1660-1667, (London, 1904) pp. 148-154. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol1/pp148-154 [accessed 25 April 2024]

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July 1661

July 2. Petition from Sir Robert Croke, Clerk of the Pipe, setting forth "that by the auncient establishment and lawes of the realme, all His Mats debts and accompts in the Exchequer ought finally to determine in the Great Rolle of the Exchequer formerly called the Treasurer's Rolle; over which as well for the comptrollmt of the Crowne revenues as the security of the subjects a compter rolle hath been alwaies yerely written and kept by the chancellor of His Mats Excheqr called the Chancellor's Rolle. That by the same establisht course of the Court no allowance ought to be made or given to any of His Mats accomptants, farmors or debtors in the Exchequer of any their payments to His Maty by tayles until such time as the said tayles of paymts bee first tryed and approved with their compterfoiles by the Deputy Chamberlains attending in the Upper Exchequer of Accompts who by their oath and duty of their place are forthwith to deliver them (proving true) to the Ingrosser of the said Great Rolle to whose office it only appertaineth to make allowance thereof in the said Great Rolle of the Exchequer, and thereupon to give the debtor and accomptant their quietus est. That by the articles of union and annexation of the Augmentation revenue to the Exchequer (being grounded on the statute of 1 Marie) it was established and ordained that all accompts of that revenue should bee ordered in the auncient course and comptrollmt of the Exchequer and should bee yerely by the 20th of March delivered into the office of the Pipe there to remaine. That the late King Charles by letters patent bearing date in the 8th yere of his reigne graunted to the petitioner the office of Clarke of the Pipe or ingrosser of the Great Rolle and to have the custody of the accompts of all ministers, receavours and others whatsoever accomptable in the Exchequer. That the aforesaid auncient course of the Court hath been duly observed from the time of King Stephen all along untill of late yeeres that the Auditors have as to sondry accompts by their illegall and unsafe proceedings obstructed the same
(1) by admitting and discharging accomptants never sworne to their accompts.
(2) by admitting tailes unrejoined, such tailes having been often falsified.
(3) by wilfull ommission to write and declare divers receavours' and collectors' accompts for many yeres together though they receaved yerely a fee from the Crown for that service.
(4) by smothering those accompts, which are declared, from the auncient and legall controllmt of the Excheqr
(5) by giving the accomptants pretended but insignificant discharges and by many other perticulers whereof instances, even before the late troubles, are many.
By which proceedings the legall and auncient course of the Exchequer is subverted and thereby the accompts of the receavours and ministers of the Crowne revenue have been uncomptrolled, His Matie and his subjects deprived of his and their evidences, many considerable rents have been and yet are omitted out of the accomptants' charge, great sums of money for debts and supers depending in their accompts have been lost to the Crowne, being suffered there to sleepe untill they became either desperate or pardoned, and the petitioner hindered in the execution of his duty." Therefore prays an examination of the premises, in order to a restoration of the ancient establishment, eomptroll and legall course of the Exchequer. Referred: to Lord Ashley, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Lord Chief Baron. [Early Entry Book VI. pp. 240–1.]
July 6. Petition from Samuel Hardwicke, of York city, merchant, for discharge of a parcel of dressed hemp seized. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners. [Ibid. IX. p. 34.]
Composition of fines allowed in the following cases for amounts, detailed, viz., Peter Vanderhanker on a parcel of tin seized by John Lardge; Edward Porter on a parcel of cambries seized by James Nuthall and Arthur Salloway: Samuell Swynnocke on a parcel of pendants seized by Abell Smith; Thomas Wragg, merchant, on a parcel of lockromes seized by Anthony Ellesdon; William Hills, merchant, on a parcel of camphor seized by Thomas Crosse; William Prickman on a parcel of cloth seized by Thomas Searwell. [Ibid. p. 35.]
Abstract [? of the report from the Customs Commissioners] concerning the halfpenny toll unjustly pretended to by William Christian as due to him as Custom Master of Carlisle port. Ordered: the Customer is not to pretend to the fee for the toll, which is in farm to Sir Philip Musgrave, it belonging to his officers. "However, if the Customer have any pretence from any Book of Rates or former table of fees signed by any former Lord Treasurer I shall reconsider the same." [Early Entry Book IX. pp. 40–1.]
Petition from Capt. William Channon and Lieut. John Striblin for a warrant to enable them to make further discoveries of lands and rents in Devon detained from the Crown. Ordered: petitioners to communicate their discovery to the Surveyor General of Lands. [Ibid. VI. p. 243.]
The Surveyor General's report, read and entered, on the petition of John Buckland concerning the demesnes of the manor of West Harptree. Order for a constat in order to a lease. [Ibid. p. 244.]
Petition from Edward Perry for a copyhold tenement in the manors of Clandown and Weston in the parish of Midsomer Norton, co. Somerset. Referred: to the Surveyor General of Lands. [Ibid.]
July 9. Petition from Anne Palmer for relief, being a great sufferer, whose husband was library keeper in Oxford, and a prisoner in Northampton for five months, and died at last in the Gatehouse at Westminster. Order for 20l. for her. [Ibid. XIV. p. 184.]
Same from Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Maior, who was appointed by the late King clerk to the Commissioners for managing the revenue belonging to His Majesty when he was Prince, and who died shortly after the recent grant of a pension. Order for 40l. for her. [Ibid. p. 189.]
A memorial, undated, to Treasurer Southampton from Andrew Noel, Francis Orme and John Boteler, read and entered in full, concerning their being certified by the Justices of Peace of Northampton and Rutland, as fit to be Collectors of Excise in the said counties; in place whereof two strangers have been appointed. Referred: to the Excise Commissioners. [Ibid. XI. pp. 43–4.]
July 11. Petition from Benjamin Stretton, Henry Bigg and Edm. Slocombe, of London, merchants, for a view of 40 tuns of Portuguese wines decayed, with a view to reduction of dues thereon. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners. [Ibid. IX. p. 39.]
Same from Christopher Barr for discharge of a parcel of sarcenet seized. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid.]
Same from Symon Smith, of London, merchant, for same of a parcel of gold and silver lace. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid. p. 40.]
Same from Sir Paul Neile, on reference from the King of the 8th inst. for a grant of the King's interest in Sir Arthur Hesilrigg's lease of the colliery of Bitchburne and Elderby Moore in the Bishopric of Durham, formerly let by Thomas, Bishop of Durham, to Sir George Tonge, John Wilkinson and petitioner, and now forfeited to the King by the treason of said Hesilrigge: also of the like interest in the demesnes of Wolsingham in said Bishopric, formerly let by the said Bishop to petitioner for the life of himself, Elizabeth his wife, and William his son, same having been sold to said Hesilrigge for an undervalue, and now likewise forfeited for treason. Referred: to the Surveyor General of Lands. [Early Entry Book VII. p. 84.]
Petition from James Fortrye for extension of lease of a messuage and lands called Eastcombe, in East Greenwich (Kent). Referred: ut supra. [Ibid. p. 4.]
July 12. Petition from William Moore and 12 others, gold and silver wire drawers and refiners and others having dependence upon them (on reference from the King of 1660, Sept. 28). Set forth that several addresses have been made to the late King to obtain a corporation for the better regulating of their trade, many thousands depending thereon for their whole livelihood, and that many abuses are daily committed to the prejudice of the nation for want of regulation, as is incident to all trades without order: and therefore desire that they may have a corporation as other companies and trades have within the city of London, and that Henry Nevell may intercede between petitioners and His Majesty, and that the Lord Treasurer and Attorney General may consider of what shall be offered by petitioners on His Majesty's behalf and their own for obtaining their request. Referred: to the Attorney General to consider and to take the advice of the Lord Chief Justice if he be in town. [Ibid. p. 2.]
Same from the Countess of Castlehaven (on reference from the King of July 3 last) for a grant of the farm of all seizures on wools, hides, and fuller's earth which shall be shipped for foreign countries foreign to law, paying so much yearly as heretofore has been received into the Exchequer. Referred: to the Attorney General to consider of the fitness of making such a grant least, by the negligence or connivance of officers or agents employed in apprehending these prohibited goods there be an ill use made of it; and further to satisfy himself what the said forfeitures have hitherto yielded annually. [Ibid. p. 3.]
A state of the case, entered and read, of Edward Nicholas, Receiver of the Alienation office, who was ordered by a warrant from Treasurer Southampton to receive of Mr. Samuel Bond, the former pretended Receiver of said office, the moneys in his hands for the vacation after Hilary Term, 1659, which was found to be 551l. 13s. 4d., on which said Bond has only paid 519l. 3s. 4d. Ordered: that said Bond pay to Nicholas the remainder, that the accounts may be cleared by one hand as they ought to be. [Ibid. pp. 4–5.]
July 13. Petition from Thomas Lambert concerning a seizure of lace taken from off his horse as he was on the road by one John Stevens, deputy searcher in Rochester port. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners. [Ibid. IX. p. 43.]
Same from Thomas Cox, of Barnstaple, concerning a seizure of two packets of Barnstaple single bayes, seized by the Governor of the Isle of Scilly for want of a cocquet. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid.
Same from the daughters of William late Earl of Dysart (on reference from the King of July 6 last) concerning their interest, detailed, in the manors of Petersham and Ham, within New Park, near Richmond; and praying a grant of same in fee farm as by the arrangements with the late King. Referred: to the Surveyor General of Lands. [Early Entry Book VII. pp. 2–3.]
July 16. Petition from Henry Lawrence for 250l. remaining due to him of 300l. lent to the late King at Oxford. Order for a tally to be struck for this on the Receiver of the Alienations. [Ibid. XIV. p. 190.]
Same from Charlotte Countess Dowager of Derby (on reference from the King of the 11th inst.) praying a lease of Holywell Court in the parish of Shoreditch St. Leonards, and the common adjoining, which is detained from His Majesty by a pretended right from the late usurper. Referred: to the Attorney General and Surveyor General of Lands. [Ibid. VII. p. 7.]
Same from James Nettmaker, merchant, for discharge of a seizure of 30 tons of resin, turpentine, &c. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners. [Ibid. IX. p. 45.]
The Duke of Albemarle's permits, read and entered, for Richard Powell and Aron Backston, troopers of the garrison of Dunkirk, and Col. Sir Robert Harley to ship two geldings and three geldings respectively, being for the service at Dunkirk. Order to the Customs to pass these geldings free. [Ibid. p. 46.]
[? July 16] The royal warrant of July 15, read and entered, ordering William Goodman, of London, merchant, and Richard Deacon, solicitor for the English captives under the Turks, to make search and discovery of all and any arrears of the old Algier duty if there be any remaining concealed (as is informed) by examining the books of receipts and payments of those duties in and about the King's Custom houses or elsewhere, and to collect, receive and forthwith deliver the said arrears to Thomas Warner, Sergeant at Arms attending the Lord Treasurer, and Peter Middleton, of London, merchant, being both persons allowed and trusted by the said captives: all in view of the suit which has been made to the King by divers poor subjects, who themselves or their relations have been or are in captivity under the Turks, praying payment of moneys out of the Algiers duty instituted and ordained for the redemption of captives; the Attorney General having reported thereupon that it might be proper to recommend the matter to Parliament to raise a new Algiers duty for that end, but the Parliament being about to adjourn in a few days, and not able at present to consider and make such provision. With Treasurer Southampton's minute hereupon requiring the Customs Commissioners to aid the abovenamed persons in any search that may discover the arrears of the said old duty, and further requiring the Attorney General to put in informations for recovery of same, that so this charitable work may be effective to the captives. [Ibid. pp. 112–3.]
July 17. Petition from Nicholas Conyats for release of a parcel of sayes seized. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners. [Ibid. p. 45.]
July 21. Petition from John Willson, of London, picture drawer, praying a discharge of 24 pictures seized by Thomas English, William Smith, Robert Lavender, Peter Burton, and others on pretence of being of foreign make, whereas they were all made in petitioner's house. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners. [Early Entry Book IX. p. 48.]
July 24. The order of the Privy Council of the 19th inst., read and entered, referring to the Lord Treasurer the case of William Baker and Christopher Butcher concerning 120l. seized from them on their return to Ireland. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners to certify the state of the business. [Ibid.]
John Dove's letter to the Lord Treasurer, read and entered, containing an information against Robert Pigott, Surveyor and Searcher of Customs in Newcastle port, of his fraudulent practices in said office. Ordered: the examination hereof referred to Sir Nicholas Cole, Justice of the Peace and Alderman of Newcastle, and three others, detailed. [Ibid. p. 51.]
July 26. A memorial of the 26 ult. from the Commissioners for the Arrears of Excise, read and entered in full, concerning the cases of Mr. Gardiner, John Gape, Humfry Tailor, and William Rance, late farmers of Excise for co. Herts, for three years from 1658, March 25, and concerning their arrears on the rent of said farm. The Commissioners' proposition approved of, viz.: to accept 150l. in discharge of said arrears: the said farm having been actually reassumed by the State from 1659, Sept. 29, since which time said farmers have not intermeddled therewith. [Ibid. XI. pp. 48–9.]
July 30. Petition from John St. Amand (on reference from the King of the 17th inst.) for a grant of the impropriation of the rectory of Steyning, in Sussex, and the donation of the vicarage there. Referred: to the Attorney General and Surveyor General of Lands. [Ibid. VII. pp. 8–9.]
July 31. Petition from Joseph Hylliard, mariner, for release of a parcel of indigo and ginger seized. Referred: to the Customs Commissioners. [Ibid. IX. p. 53.]
Same from Sir William Warren, Kt., and Jo. Shorter, merchant, for liberty to bring up the ship "Tobias" to arrive in Lee Road from Norway free from seizure on petitioners paying all duties as by the Book of Rates. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid. p. 54.]
Same from Thomas Shirley, merchant, for discharge of a ship and goods lately arrived in the port of London from Norway. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid.]
Same from William Dormer for discharge of two small parcels of gold and silver lace and 24 pair of silk stockings and a parcel of gloves seized. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid. p. 56.]
Same from Philip Graves for discharge of 25 white cloths seized at Gravesend for non-payment of the duty due to the Duke [of York] or the Company of Merchant Adventurers. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid.]
Same from Elizabeth Pinckney, widow, for relief in respect of her husband's services. Order for 20l. to her more as royal bounty, the King having given her 20l. out of his privy purse at his first coming in. [Ibid. XIV. p. 202.]
The Surveyor General's report of the 7th ult., read and entered in extenso, on the petition of John Rooke (Rookes) concerning the orchard and certain tenements, detailed, being his remaining interest in a lease granted to one John Mules by the late King of the Castle yard and ditches of Exeter, and the piece of ground thereto adjoining, called the Castle close or Bradninch: the abovesaid orchard being now part of said close. Order for a constat in order to a lease thereof to Rooke. [Early Entry Book VII. pp. 12–13.]
Petition from John Prouse for a lease of several tenements, &c., in Taunton, Milverton, Nettlecombe, and other places in co. Somerset. Referred: to the Surveyor General of Lands. [Ibid. p. 14.]
Same from Richard Slater for same of the manor of Stapleford, co. Wilts. Referred: ut supra. [Ibid.]
The Surveyor General's report read and entered on the petition of Edmund Turnour, ut supra, p. 148. Ordered: before a lease be granted to petitioner he produce his evidences to the Attorney General and Surveyor General. [Ibid. pp. 15–16.]
Petition from the inhabitants of Heddington, St. Clement's, Elsfield, Wheatley, Forest Hill, Horsepath, and other towns bordering on the forest of Shotover and Stowood. Set forth that the King intending to disafforest the said forest and improve it had granted a commission to allot the commoners satisfaction in lieu of their commons, which said commission has allotted to one town 170 acres, another 90, another 55, and most of the rest about 20 acres each. Further that these commoners have a custom of commoning their herds of cattle in all the coppices and of cutting of furze and fern and gathering of deadwood in them, which custom being taken away without competent allotment tends to their ruin. Referred: to the Surveyor General to examine who these persons are and what is their interest, the Lord Treasurer conceiving that all persons interested had given their consent and received a satisfaction upon the intended disafforesting. [Ibid. pp. 30–1.]