Minute Book: March 1700

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 15, 1699-1700. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1933.

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'Minute Book: March 1700', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 15, 1699-1700, (London, 1933) pp. 52-59. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol15/pp52-59 [accessed 26 March 2024]

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March 1700

March 1,
forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Boyle.
The letter to Sir Cloudesley Shovel (enclosing a letter of Admiral Killigrew and a petition of Bulkley et al) is read and approved.
Write to Mr. Blathwait to put Sir B. Dixwell's allowance for Dover Castle upon the Establishment [of Guards and Garrisons] now preparing.
Desire the Earl of Ranelagh to be here to-morrow morning.
Some of the Excise Commissioners and Mr. Cha. Montagu come in.
Mr. Hill comes in.
Desire the Customs Commissioners to be here to-morrow morning.
Prepare a sign manual for 200l. to Mr. Nahum Tate as of free gift and royal bounty.
The letter to the Victuallers for the Company at Newfoundland is read and approved. Ibid., p. 285.
March 2,
forenoon.
Present: all the five Lords.
Mr. Doyly is to be acquainted that my Lords do not think it reasonable that the King should bear the loss of the 800l. clipped money which he [Doyly] lodged with Mr. Squib: but they will give him all the assistance they can against the executors of Mr. Squib: and my Lords will stop the process till the end of next term to the end Mr. Doyly may in the mean time re-take [possession of] the clipped money and make good his debt to the King in good money.
Desire Mr. Blathwait to be here on Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock.
The letter to Mr. Blathwait for the Lord Warden and Lieutenant of the Cinque Ports is read and approved.
The Customs Commissioners [attend] on the occasion of [the cashier's cash] and bills. Write to them to take care of the cash and bills till another Receiver of the Customs is made and that the patent officers be charged with the growing receipt till then.
[Order for] a letter [of direction to the Exchequer] for the 50l. a piece to Mris. O'Hara and her sister.
[Order for] 2000l. to be issued to Mr. Roberts for the Park at Windsor viz. 800l. this week and 400l. a week for three weeks following.
[Order for] 100l. for the poor of St. Margaret's [Westminster] and the Hospital there.
The letter to the Navy Board for the Companies of Capt. Benj. Bennet, Ellis Cooper and others, non-commission officers and soldiers of Marines, for their abatements is read and approved except the article for the Company of Capt. Phillips.
Write to the Marquess of Carmarthen to examine the account of Capt. Phillips. Ibid., p. 286.
March 5,
Tuesday, forenoon.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Hill.
The letter [of direction] for 509l. 15s. 0d. for a chain, capstand &c. at Newfoundland is read and approved.
[Write] to the Navy Commissioners to be here on Friday morning about the arrears due to several Captains.
The Earl of Tankerville [comes in].
The Earl of Carlisle's papers [are] to be laid before the King on Wednesday: [but this order is] respited.
H. Baker to have 500l. [imprested to him for Crown Law charges].
Speak to the Customs Commissioners concerning the Duty of [on] coach horses. Ibid., Vol. XII, p. 1.
March 6,
Wednesday, forenoon.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Boyle.
Desire Mr. Montagu to be here on Friday morning next about the officers that examine the vouchers and inspect the cash.
Desire the Attorney General to be here on Tuesday morning about the noli prosequi for Capt. Norris.
Mr. Blathwait [attends]. Ibid., p. 2.
Eodem die, afternoon. Kensington. Present: the King: Sir Stephen Fox, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Hill.
[Order for the issue to the Earl of Ranelagh of] another week's subsistence to the Forces: [to be issued] out of the surplus of the Customs.
Lord Coningsby [attends]. My Lords are [directed by the King] to furnish about 3600l. which with the money remaining in Lord Coningsby's hands will clear both the old and new arrear in Ireland. So much of it as is English arrear is to be paid in England.
Lady Katherine Fitz Gerald's petition is read. If her nephew do not come to an agreement to her satisfaction by May 1 next so much of his arrear of 1500l. as is not yet received and his pension shall be applied to her as she desires.
The forage accounts of Monsieur Goris et al are to be made up by an auditor. Ibid., p. 3.
March 8,
Friday, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Hill.
The letter [of direction to the Exchequer] for the week's subsistence [to the Forces] to the 3rd inst. is read and approved.
The Navy Commissioners [attend]. Direct them to apply (out of the money in the [Navy] Treasurer's hands on the head of wages] 10,000l. towards the pay, in course, of the sea officers who have passed their accounts; and 5000l. towards the bills in course for flag pays, pilotage and other services on the head of wages.
The Irish papers relating to the Barracks and to the fire and candle [for the Irish Garrisons are ordered] to be carried to [the King at] Kensington on Wednesday.
Write to Mr. Harris to despatch the finishing of the great seal for Ireland. Treasury Minute Book XII, p. 4.
March 12,
Tuesday.
Present: Earl of Tankerville, Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr. Smith.
[Ordered that the] 500l. for half-a-year's pension which became due to the late Lord Grandison at Xmas 1698 is to be issued to the Treasurer of the Chamber out of the Civil List [money in the Exchequer]: to make him equal in payment to the Yeomen of the Guard.
[Order for] 83l. more to be issued to the said Treasurer for the same [1698 Xmas] half-year to the pensionary yeomen and watermen.
The Navy Treasurer having in his hands tallies (the last on the Land Tax) for 44,271l. 6s. 3½d. my Lords direct Mr. Hubbald to convert into money so many of them as will be advanced without any discount and that the money be directed by the Navy Commissioners to the uses intended; and that the rest of the said tallies be reserved in the Navy Treasurer's hands till it be better known whether they will prove deficient or not.
The money (said to be 2000l.) which remains in the Exchequer [out] of the loan of 220,000l. for wages [for seamen] is to be issued to the Navy Treasurer for wages. Examine the precise sum.
[Ordered that] 3702l. 8s. 4d. out of the rem[ainder] of the Two Millions by tallies [of anticipation thereon] is to be issued to Lord Coningsby to clear the three French Regiments of Foot which were disbanded in Ireland, to wit La Meloniere's, Belcastle's and Lifford's.
[Write] to Samuel Davis and Joseph Hornby to be here on Friday morning; and to Mr. Travers to be here then; to Mr. Chetwynd likewise; about the lease of lead mines made to the said Davis.
Upon hearing Mr. Web, for Derrick Stork, and the Attorney General my Lords cannot advise any prosecutions at the King's charge for the 500l. in question.
Write to Mr. [Auditor] Done and Mr. Bridges to be here on Friday morning about the innovated tally which Mr. Williamson procured.
A letter [of direction to the Exchequer] is ordered for the 200l. on Lord Castlehaven's order.
The letter to Mr. Fred Hening for his paying over to Mr. Wise 6638l. 14s. 3d. for the gardens at Hampton Court is read and approved.
My Lords read and approved [a draft] letter to the [King's] Remembrancer to take 30l. for Mr. Ferne's security [bonds] instead of 6s. 8d. per 100l.
Look out the minutes for allow[ances] to the clerks in the Office of the Comptroller of Excise.
Mr. Tucker promises this week to deliver to the Auditor [of Imprests] the gross accounts of Excise to the 17th May 1696.
[Write] to the Excise Commissioners, Mr. Story, Mr. Monteage and Mr. Tucker to be here on Friday afternoon.
[Write] to the [Principal] Officers of the Ordnance to be here to-morrow morning. Ibid., p. 5.
March 13.
Wednesday.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Hill.
My Lords order a tally [of anticipation] on the Two Millions for 490l. 19s. 6d. for the Company [of Foot] at Newfoundland as follows: viz.
£ s. d.
for one year's subsistence for officers and soldiers payable in money over and above the allowance in provisions 307 4 2
for one year's allowance for Contingencies 50
for 51 belts 46 cartouch boxes and 51 pairs of shoes to be charged to the offreckonings due to the Company 30 15 4
for several things wanting for the Company: to be placed to the head of contingents 103
in all pursuant to an order in Council of 25 Jan. last. £490 19 6
Ibid., p. 6.
March 14,
afternoon. Kensington.
Present: the King: Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Hill.
[Ordered that] 4411l. 5s. 6d. for a week's subsistence [to the Forces England] is to be paid.
The Earl of Ranelagh and (struck through) Mr. Blathwaite is to direct the Muster Master General to give an account to the Earl of Ranelagh of so much as relates to his office in the paper entitled General Heads of Objections; and the Earl of Ranelagh is to examine all the other particulars and to prepare a state of the whole to be laid before the King.
A warrant [is ordered] to be prepared for [a grant to] the Earl of Carlisle of Sir John Fenwick's personal estate; upon the said Earl's petition, [he] paying 500l. to Derrick Stork the King's coachman.
The report concerning Lady Lyndon and Mr. Justice Tracy is read and ordered.
The petition of the widow of Mac Carte Reah [is read]. Not granted.
Lord Falkland [his petition is read: ordered to have] 100l.
Lord Lucas's petition for treasure trove [is read]: granted as by the minute [endorsed] on the petition.
[The petition is read from the Principal] Officers of the Ordnance for [allowance of] their taxes for two years. Respited.
Mr. Stanhope's ordinary is to commence from his departure from the King's presence.
Mr. Ryly's request for felling 20 trees in Twickenham [is read and] granted.
The [Irish] Lords Justices' letter is read concerning the Barracks and a new Regulation of subsistence. What is desired as to the Barracks is ordered. As to the other matters in the said letter my Lords are to speak with the Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwaite.
B. Grenville's petition [is read: order for] 100l. to be paid him about Lady day or Easter.
[A petition is read from the] inhabitants of Windsor for their damage by enclosures in the [Great] Park. The Surveyor [General of Crown Lands'] report is read. The King orders them the profits of the 31 acres for 21l. a year and will give them 50l. a year more besides the 50l. a year which they have already.
Lord Fairfax [his petition is read] about his 600l. a year: [ordered] to be considered [again].
Lady Freschville [her petition is read] for her pension. "To be examined whether such pretensions are paid."
Mr. Cresset is to go to the Elector of Brandenburgh and [is ordered to] have a quarter's advance on his ordinary.
The King peruses the list of payments [made] per Mr. Nicholas and orders those [pensioners &c.] to be left out [who are employed or provided for] now otherwise in the King's service [to wit] from Xmas 1698: amounting to above 4000l. a year.
The 1000l. a year which is received by Mr. Louvigne ought to be included in the 15,000l. for French Protestants: the like [also for the cases] of the other pensions sent abroad except that to Holland. And the King's pleasure is that any persons who are paid upon one of the lists of charities shall have nothing on the other two.
[Order for the issue to William Lowndes of] 2000l. for secret service.
See what is paid into the Exchequer for the King's part of prizes. Treasury Minute Book XII, p. 7.
March 15,
Friday, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. Boyle, Mr. Hill.
[Ordered that] 15l. 8s. 4d. out of secret service money [in the hands of William Lowndes] is to be paid to Hester Walker for the debt by her claimed: and it is recommended to Sir Stephen Fox that he with the Earl of Ranelagh and Sir Christopher Wren do put her in as a nurse in Chelsea Hospital upon the first vacancy provided that she do now agree and promise not to give this office any further trouble.
Sir Thomas Grosvenor [attends] with Mr. Chetwynd and Mr. William Tailor. Mr. Chetwynd upon the 1st of May 1699 signed an irrotulatur upon Sir Thomas Grosevenor's deed of trust for the lead mines in Flintshire and on the 13th May 1699 signed the particular for Davis's lease.
My Lords think it was done for the sake of the fees. My Lords direct that a scire facias be prosecuted by the Attorney General for vacating the lease to Samuell Davis, in case he doth not forthwith surrender it to the King.
[Order for] 100l. to Mris. O'Hara and her sister.
[Write] to Mr. Povy to attend with Col. Codrington's account on Tuesday morning.
My Lords approve Mr. Samuel Edwards to be the chief clerk of Francis Godolphin Esq. one of the four Tellers [of the Receipt] in the room of Henry Ferne preferred to be Receiver General of Customs. Ibid., p. 8.
March 18,
Monday, forenoon.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Hill.
A letter [is directed] to be written to Mr. Montagu to signify that the King is to be at no further charge concerning the inspection of the cash and vouchers [of the Tellers of the Receipt]: and desire him to take care thereof as a matter incumbent on him in respect of his office: and he is to certify how much is due to Mr. Hume and Mr. Cremer [for performing the said duty] for the time past. (In the margin Mr. Hume and Cremer, inspectors of the cash at the Exchequer, to be discharged). Ibid., p. 9.
March 19,
Tuesday, forenoon.
Present: Earl of Tankerville, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Hill.
The letter [of direction] is read and approved for 1670l. 3s. 4d. [to be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh to be by him applied] for Marine Companies viz. 699l. 17s. 6d. for the Company of Capt. Phillips; 486l. 10s. 0d. for Capt. Symonds' Company; and 483l. 15s. 10d. for Capt. John Harnage's Company.
Direct Mr. Nicholas Baker at the King's charge to prosecute Horton at Chester for counterfeiting the King's coin.
The letter [of direction] for 240l. and 256l. for George Fielding Esq. is read and approved.
The [like] letter for 4750l. for the Duchess of Buccleuch and others is read and approved. Ibid., p. 10.
March 22,
forenoon.
Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Hill.
Desire the Attorney General to be here on Tuesday morning about the cause concerning the ship seized at Perth Amboy.
Write a letter [of direction to the Exchequer] for [the issue of] the sum due to Mr. Aylmer.
[Order for] 50l. to be paid to the Treasurer of the Chamber for Collins the messenger: to be issued [as] in part of the money due on his bills.
Write a letter [of direction to the Exchequer] for [the issue of] 955l. to Mr. Stanhope.
And for 2615l. 4s. 0d. to the Earl of Jersey upon his [money] order as Ambassador in France. Ibid., p. 11.
1700. March 25,
Monday, forenoon,
Present: Earl of Tankerville; Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. Hill.
Write to the Exchequer to issue the money now there viz. 630l. 11s. 2d. [received] on the Plantation Duties; and 616l. 6s. 4½d. [received] on the Additional French Duties; and 4550l. 16s. 2½d. [received] on wrought silks: [the total to be issued] towards clearing such of the weekly payments in the list of — as are in arrear and unpaid. And the money now in the Exchequer [received] of the French Tonnage, being 212l. 15s. 6d. (if not appropriated) is to go to the same use.
[Order for the issue to William Lowndes of] 1000l. for Secret Services.
Write to Sir Christopher Wren, Mr. Tallman and Mr. Banks to be here this day fortnight with Mris. Symonds and Mr. Ball.
[Ordered that] 39l. due to Dr. Pratt and 26l. [due] to Mris. Sell for lodgings of the King's Chaplains [out of Court] is to be issued to the Treasurer of the Chamber [to be paid to them by him].
[Write] to the Master of the Jewels to send hither against Wednesday morning an account of all the plate which is in the hands of the Great Officers [of State], Ambassadors or other [and which they have] not returned into the [Jewel] Office.
Write to Mr. Nicholas to advance 40l. to Mris. Kath[erine] Ironmonger to fetch her husband out of prison: [to be charged] on her pension.
[Order for the issue of] 230l. to the Corporation of Dartmouth.
[Order for the issue of] 271l. 8s. 3d. to the Office of the Works for the bills of John Webb, the [King's] fowl keeper [in St. James's Park].
My Lords read and approved the letter [to the Auditor of the Receipt] to apply a proportionable part of the money to be raised towards John Mason's debt to the account of the 3s. Aid, for which [debt] Sir John Conyers is security.
[Order for the] issue of 536l. 13s. 8d. to the Treasurer of the Chamber to clear the rent, taxes and other charges on [the hire of] Lord Ossulston's house to 1 Feb. last: from which time his lordship is re entered [into possession thereof].
Write to the Earl of Ranelagh for a list of the pensions paid in his Office [of Paymaster of the Forces]. Treasury Minute Book XII, p. 12.
March 26,
forenoon.
Present: all the five Lords.
[Order for the issue of] 400l. to Mr. Ryly for carrying on the enclosures in New Forest.
The Trustees for Exchequer Bills [attend]. They will prepare a new contract [for the circulation of Exchequer Bills] for the year ensuing.
The Gentlemen of the Bank [attend].
Direct the Navy Board to make out bills for 855l. 12s. 6d. and 120l. according to Mr. Dodington's memorials of the 16th inst.
The Attorney General [attends]. My Lords acquaint him that the King will bear the charge of my Lord Bellomont in the action of trover about the ship seized at Port [Perth] Amboy and whosoever is bail shall be indemnified by this [Treasury] Board. Let Mr. Baker have a copy of this minute and [direct him to] attend the Attorney General in this matter.
My Lords read and approved the letter for the application to the Civil List of the 784l. 8s. 7d., of the new Duty on silk which came in before 25 Dec. last and 630l. 11s. 2d. of the Plantations Duty and 616l. 6s. 4½d. of the Duty of 25 per cent on French goods. Ibid., p. 13.
March 27,
forenoon.
Present: Earl of Tankerville; Sir Stephen Fox; Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. Boyle.
The Earl of Montague [Master of the Great Wardrobe attends]. My Lords order a debenture for 425l. 13s. 6½d. [as] in Mr. Aldworth's report of the 17th inst.
Mr. Hill comes in.
Desire the Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwait to be at Kensington this evening [afternoon].
See what money has been paid to the Troops since the 24th December last; for what uses; and out of what funds.
[Order for] a [royal] warrant to the Earl of Ranelagh to receive from Mr. Hill the tallies (part of those for 125,000l. which were deposited in the Dutch Ambassador's hands for security of 1,100,000 guilders advanced in Holland for the use of the [English] Army) which do remain over and above the [said] principal and [the] interest [thereon], which are satisfied; and to surcharge himself therewith in the front of his account [as Paymaster of the Forces]. And this warrant, being entered with the auditors, is to be a discharge as well to his lordship or to Mr. Hill for the payment of the said overplus tallies to his lordship. Ibid., p. 14.
Eodem die, afternoon. Kensington. Present: all the five Treasury Lords.
The receipt of the money for the Gardens is to be paid to the Paymaster of Works. (In the margin: this minute is abbreviated thus "Paymaster of the Works to receive the moneys for the Gardens.")
The King comes in.
The Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwayte are called in. The Earl's memorial is read.
[Order for the issue of] 500l. to the Cofferer [of the Household] for Mr. Frampton for half-a-year for the running horses.
The Earl of Anglesey's memorial and the Countess of Dorchester's memorial are read. The King will consider this before it comes to a determination.
Lord Ossulston's petition for a further term in the manor of Maribone [is read and ordered] to be referred to the Surveyor General [of Crown Lands].
The King's pleasure [is] to be signified to the two Surveyors of the Woods [Trent North and Trent South respectively] that his Majesty will be at no charge in new buildings or extraordinary repairs of the lodges; and that the ordinary repairs be performed only by [authority of] warrants from the Treasury and upon estimates to be first laid before the Board.
[Order for the issue to William Lowndes of] 1500l. for secret service. Ibid., p. 15.
March 28,
forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present: all the five Lords.
[Write] to the Customs Commissioners to be here on Tuesday at 9 of the clock about several affairs.
[Order for the issue to the Earl of Ranelagh of] 1028l. 16s. 6d. out of the money now in the Exchequer of the 22 pence per pound weight on silk: [to be by him applied as follows viz.]
£ s. d.
for four weeks' subsistence for a detachment of the First Regiment of Guards to attend the King at Newmarket 360
for three weeks' subsistence for a detachment out of each Troop of Guards 542 18 6
for the like for a detachment of the Troop of Grenadier Guards 125 18 0
£1028 16 6
Ibid., p. 16.