Minute Book: November 1702 | British History Online

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 17, 1702. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1939.

'Minute Book: November 1702', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 17, 1702, (London, 1939) pp. 88-95. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol17/pp88-95 [accessed 26 April 2024]

November 1702



Nov. 2.	Present: ut supra.
	Write to the Commissioners of Prizes to be here to-morrow afternoon.
	Order for 1000l. to my Lord Shannon. Make it payable to Mr. Coggs for his lordship.
	Prepare a sign manual for paying out of the perquisites of Admiralty 200l. to Edmund Hawley, without account; he being employed in a special service relating to the Navy.
	[Write] to Mr. Lucy to attend on Wednesday morning.
	[Write] to Mr. Whitfield to be here to-morrow afternoon.
	[Write] to the Navy Commissioners to return to Mr. Brewer the lists of captors [of Prize ships and goods] pursuant to the Queen's Declaration: and he is to attend them with his advertisement for the Gazette. Ibid., p. 264.
eodem die, afternoon.	[No note of attendance or of any minute]. Ibid.
Nov. 3, afternoon.	Present: Lord Treasurer; Chancellor of the Exchequer.
	The Governors of the Post Office are called in with Mr. Tutchin and Mr. Castleton, the Attorney and Solicitor General being present.
	The articles against Mr. Castleton signed by Mr. Tutchin are read paragraph by paragraph.
	As to the first Mr. Blackhull says the taking in letters by the officers is prejudicial [to the revenue].
	Mr. Darnelli says these letters [so taken in] are accounted for.
	Sir Thomas Frankland says there is a sorter attends at the Offices and receives the letters and scores them.
	Mr. Castleton says Mr. Dockwra began this practice and since he came in he did not find reason to alter it. There is a check; a card is kept, the money is put into an iron box and the collector keeps the key: he says that every letter brought into an Out Office is scored on a card and the money put into a box and Mr. Blackhull the collector keeps the key himself: at the Receiving Houses they are scored on a card and the Receiver collects the money once a month.
	Mr. Tutchin says there is a difference for in the Out Offices the letters may not be scored.
	The Attorney General thinks the check is as good in the Out Offices as in the other.
	Mr. Blackhull is asked if he can give an instance of a fraud in the Out Offices. He [says he] infers it from the account.
	Mr. Darnelli says the letters are brought to other Offices and that the revenue is advanced 150l. in "that" year.
	Robert Kenton, sorter, says there is a charge for the letters received into the Outhouses: it's better in point of dispatch and security.
	Mr. Castleton thinks they cannot refuse letters brought into the General Office: there would be a clamour for refusal.
	Mr. Castleton's order of 30 April 1701 is read.
	It relates only to money letters.
	The Attorney General says the Office is to be made as convenient as may be for the people.
	Mr. Dockwra's clerk says his master made an order not to receive letters at the Offices because of frauds.
	The sorters say he was no clerk then.
	Hen. Bury, the clerk, says he knows of no frauds but Mr. Dockwra had a suspicion.
	Castleton says Mr. Dockwra was complained of for that: he says it is for the Queen's service to receive at the Offices.
	My Lord Treasurer thinks that either they should be forbidden or public notice should be given to take them in.
	To the second [Article] a certificate is read of the sorters: one of them says he was tricked into it.
	Castleton says Blackhull told him there was a fraud and promised to detect it but has never done it to this day, and [he] denies the [charges of] tolerating in the second Article.
	Tutchin and Castleton [sic] say Mr. Castleton said we must wink at small faults.
	Hall says Lockyer was detected and turned out for it.
	Mr. Castleton says it was in Dockwra's time: he denies his saying he must wink at small faults.
	Tutchin exhibits a scheme of frauds amounting to 20l. 15s. 8d.
	Darnelli shows an account that the messengers are charged with 4l. 18s. 8d. and says the other account is false: the messengers were always made Receivers as to these letters: he says Dockwra forbid the messenger, they took in letters and Mr. Dockwra would not charge them and the money was lost.
	Sir T. Franckland says 'if this be forbid' 'twilbe inconvenient for those living far from Receiving Houses and therefore he desired to be informed how there could be a cheque; if letters are sunk there will be complaints, but they never had any.
	Edw. Reddish says the Messengers receive letters on the road and bring them to the next Receiving House and there they are charged with them and the abstract examined every week.
	There never was any complaint of [? the loss of] a post letter taken on the road.
	[My Lord Treasurer says] let Mr. Blackhull's extract No. 2 be examined by the Postmaster General.
	To the 3rd [Article] Mr. Castleton says Franklin was admitted by Dockwra: as soon as he heard he was a Papist he charged him with it but he brought a certificate of his [sacramental] qualification and was wounded in the King's service, and has a pension out of the Chest at Chatham.
	Mr. Bowyer's certificates are read.
	To the 4th [Article] William Murcott says Darnelli has stopped [? delayed] the Side Courier for making up his news: in Dockwra's time and Castleton's time a quarter or half an hour.
	Mr. Hall says the like and that it is prejudicial but they cannot say Mr. Castleton countenances this.
	Darnelli says he does send the news and sometimes he stays a quarter of an hour but he may save it [? make good the lost time] in going.
	Stephen Lindon says no detriment.
	Darnelli says it is done for the convenience of gentlemen in the country.
	To the 5th [Article] Mr. Hall owns that Castleton never refused to admit him but did not answer his letters.
	Castleton says they were impertinent.
	The other officers say they have free admittance.
	To the 6th [Article] Castleton says the office in Cloke Lane was inconvenient and the present office in Bishopsgate Street is 10l. a year less rent and it cost about 24l. or 25l.
	To the 7th [Article] Castleton says it will appear a mistake by the books.
	[The Lord Treasurer says] let them be examined by the Postmaster General.
	Golling says the delivery pence are no more now than formerly. Golling's account was neat and Blackhull makes no deduction for wages.
	Additional Articles.
	(1) that Darnelli has taken money out of the box and applied it to his own use.
	Mr. Lindon is sworn: he says he never saw Darnelli take money out of the box: and being asked whether ever he saw him receive money and not put it in the box he answers no.
	Tho. Barlow is sworn and says Darnelli when he was sub sorter took money out of the box several times and swept up money into his hand and put it in his pocket.
	Mr. Darnelli owns this and says when he changed money to gentlemen that came he repaid himself. If this were a fraud Barlow should have charged him 7 years ago but he is charged [debited] with the money by the [account or] score.
	(2) that divers letters of which the postage has been paid have been made away with by Stephen Lindon and the money sunk.
	An account signed by William Dockwra is exhibited to make this out.
	[The Lord Treasurer says] let this last article be examined by the Governors of the Post Office [the Postmasters General]. Treasury Minute Book, pp. 265–7.
Nov. 4, forenoon.	Present: Lord Treasurer; Chancellor of the Exchequer.
	[Write] to Mr. Lucy to attend on Friday morning.
	[Order for the issue of] 400l. to Mr. Wise.
	[Write] to the Governors of the Post Office [the Postmasters General] to be here on Friday morning about the sloops to the West Indies.
	[Write] to Lord Ranelagh, Mr. Blathwayte and Mr. Whitfield to be here on Friday morning at 9 o'clock. Ibid., p. 268.
eodem die, afternoon.	Present: ut supra.
	Lord Castleton, Mr. Sanderson and Sir John Thorold [are called in]. Refer to Mr. Tailor, deputy auditor.
	The Lord Chief Baron, the Attorney and Solicitor General, the Customs Commissioners and Mr. Feme [the Customs Cashier] and Mr. Hosyer are called in.
	The Lord Chief Baron thinks there is no doubt but [that] the money which Mr. Ferne paid into the Exchequer by mistake for [Customs] Duty may be taken again from the same fund and placed to the right head of Compositions [for fines, seizures or frauds relating to the Customs].
	The Attorney General is of the same opinion.
	[My Lord Treasurer says] let the warrant prepared for this purpose by the Customs Commissioners be delivered to them to fill up the blanks and then let their Solicitor attend the Attorney and Solicitor General therewith to sign same.
	Prepare a new order that all the wine and brandy which shall be brought home in the Grand Fleet be laid up and secured in the warehouses at Cowes and all the other goods to be brought up in small boats with the hatches sealed and be secured in the warehouses at Southampton.
	Write to the Customs Commissioners and the Prizes Commissioners to direct their officers respectively [by] every post to give an account of all they do in pursuance of the orders about the [prize] goods brought home in the Fleet.
	Order for 300l. to be paid to the Works for Monsieur Verrio viz. 100l. out of the Civil List money due since 8 March last for painting the Private Oratory at Windsor; and 200l. out of arrears [of the late King's Civil List moneys grown due] before 8 March last for painting at Hampton Court.
	Order for 200l. to Mr. Borret for Crown Law charges and for prosecuting the rioters at Dursley.
	Mr. Ryley to attend on Monday afternoon next about the enclosures to be made in New Forest and about the privy seals for raising money by wood sales there.
	Order for [the issue to Mr. Lowndes of] 1000l. for Secret Service. Treasury Minute Book XIII, p. 268.
Nov. 6, forenoon.	Present: Lord Treasurer; Chancellor of the Exchequer.
	The business concerning Mr. Lucy is put off till this day week.
	[Order for the issue to William Lowndes of] 1000l. for Secret Service. Ibid., p. 269.
Nov 7, forenoon.	Present: ut supra.
	[Write] to the Navy Commissioners to be here on Monday afternoon.
	The Lord Chamberlain comes in: and my Lord, with him, considers the Establishments [of the Household above stairs].
	Mr. Campion's executors are to be paid to the day of his death [as sub-commissioners for prizes at Dover] and his successor [Mr. Knatchbull] from the date of his [Knatchbull's] commission. Ibid., p. 270.
Nov. 10, forenoon.	Present: ut supra.
	The bond of Sir Hen. Furnese et al Receivers of the Two Millions is to be delivered up; they having [duly] accounted [and received their quieti sunt].
	Mr. [William] Gratwick [is] to be Customer [of Chester port] in the room of Mr. Merewitts, he and his wife first releasing to the Queen all pretended debts [owing to them] from the Crown. Ibid., p. 271.
Nov. 11, forenoon.	Present: Lord Treasurer.
	Refer to Mr. Auditor Shales the matter concerning Mr. Sanderson and Mr. Sampson.
	The Commission for taking the accounts of the Vice Treasurers of Ireland (void on the King's demise) is to be renewed. Speak with Mr. Gwin.
	Order [is given by my Lord Treasurer] for the renewal of the royal letter for the deduction of the 6d. per £ from all Military payments [in Ireland and for the application of that deduction] to the Royal Hospital at Dublin.
	likewise [for the renewal of] the royal letter for appointing overseers of the Barracks [in Ireland].
	Desire Mr. Blathwait to certify where the 6 Marine Regiments are at present employed. Ibid., p. 272.
Nov. 13, forenoon.	Present: Lord Treasurer; Chancellor of the Exchequer.
	Make a warrant to stop the process against Mr. Molyneux et al for the money they received for clothes and for which they are placed in super in the accounts of Mr. Fox and Lord Coningsby [as Paymasters of the Forces in Ireland]; and to supersede till further order the process issued.
	The Commissioners of Prizes [are called in]. My Lord directs them to distinguish the goods plundered at St. Mary's [in Spain] viz. those marked and those not marked; and to distinguish all those taken at Vigo from the rest; and his Lordship exhorts them to be careful and give him an account from time to time. Ibid., p. 273.
Nov. 14, forenoon.	Present: Lord Treasurer.
	[Write] to the Directors of the Bank desiring some of them to be here on Monday morning by 9 o'clock. Ibid., p. 274.
Nov. 16, forenoon.	Present: Lord Treasurer; Chancellor of the Exchequer.
	The Directors of the Bank and Sir Thomas Littleton are called in.
	Write letters to Sir Thomas Littleton [instructing him] to receive from the Bank 50,000l., remainder of 165,000l. which the Bank last agreed to lend on the Land Tax tallies in said Littleton's hands; and direct him to deliver to the Bank tallies and orders for this 50,000l. and for [a further] 3000l. to make good the interest at the rate of 5 per cent., upon the same terms as the other sums on the like tallies have been advanced by them.
	Order this 50,000l. and the remainder of 2656l. 7s. 0d. lent by Mr. Browne to be applied to wages [of seamen].
	My Lord Treasurer desires [of the Directors of the Bank] a new advance of 100,000l. on the like tallies. These Directors [tell my Lord in reply that they] will move the [Bank] Court and send an answer on Wednesday at noon. Ibid.
Nov. 17, forenoon.	Present: ut supra.
	The Earl of Ranelagh is called in.
	Sir Stephen Evance is called in about remitting 50,000l. in further part of the 700,000l. for the Forces in Flanders. He will give my Lord Ranelagh some bills this night.
	As to a new contract [for the remittance of moneys to Flanders] he will come with his partners to-morrow morning.
	The Navy Commissioners [are called in]. Ibid., p. 275.
Nov. 18, forenoon.	Present: ut supra.
	The Commissioners of Stamp Duties are to be here next Monday at 9 o'clock.
	[Order for the issue of] 50l. to Mr. Crown (Crowne) out of Secret Service money.
	The [Principal] Officers of the Ordnance are called in.
	They [promise that they] will give my Lord Treasurer the particulars of the charge of the [Artillery] train which went to Cadiz.
	[Order for the issue of] 30,000l. to the Ordnance [which sum] after the sum already directed for the Forces is to be assigned on the overplus of the Malt Duties, with 5 per cent. interest: and is to be for land services of the Ordnance in full of 70,973l. 13s. 9d. [voted for the Train and for the Ordinary of the Ordnance, Land Service, anno 1702].
	[Order for the issue of] 3 quarters to Sept. 29 last to the Duchess of Monmouth [on her annuity]. Ibid., p. 276.
Nov. 20, forenoon.	Present: Lord Treasurer; Chancellor of the Exchequer.
	Some petitions are read and answered [and the answers are endorsed thereon]. Treasury Minute Book XIII, p. 277.
Nov. 23.	Present: ut supra.
	The Commissioners of the Stamp Office [are called in].
	They are to [give my Lord Treasurer an] answer to a paper delivered to them.
	Let Mr. Lowndes advance to Mr. Hawley his 200l. out of Secret Service [moneys in Lowndes's hands] taking an assignment of his warrant [so as to enable Lowndes] to receive it back again out of the Droits of Admiralty.
	[Write] to the Customs Commissioners to be here to-morrow afternoon; also to Mr. Ryley to be here then. Ibid., p. 278.
Nov. 24, forenoon.	Present: ut supra.
	Make a note of what [total] sum of money as a bounty [royal bounty] has been paid to Mr. Killigrew since 8 March last and when.
	[Write] to the Trustees for Exchequer Bills to be here on Friday morning.
	[Write] to the Navy Commissioners to be here this afternoon. Ibid., p. 279.
eodem die, afternoon.	Present: ut supra.
	The Customs Commissioners are called in. Their papers are read and answers are [endorsed] on them.
	[Write] to the Commissioners of Salt Duties to be here on Friday afternoon.
	The Customs Commissioners will by that time send an extract of frauds practised in the Salt Duties.
	Mr. Culliford says he actually paid 500l. to my Lord Fitz Hardinge on his bond and took up his bond.
	Direct Mr. Edwards and my Lord Fitz Hardinge's clerk to be here to-morrow morning.
	The Navy Commissioners are called in. They don't want any more money for wages as yet.
	The letter [of direction to the Exchequer concerning issues] for the Duchess of Buccleuch and others is read and approved. Ibid.
Nov. 25, forenoon.	Present: ut supra.
	Write to the Attorney General to be here on Friday morning about recovering the money embezzled by some of the Tellers' clerks in the Annuity Office. Ibid., p. 280.
Nov. 27, forenoon.	Present: ut supra.
	[Write] to the Commissioners of the Salt Duties not to attend this afternoon but on Tuesday afternoon next.
	[Write] to the Customs Commissioners and Excise Commissioners to be here then about prosecutions in their several offices.
	Write to the Commissioners of Prizes that if they have any presentments to make to my Lord Treasurer concerning the goods from Port St. Mary's or Vigo that they be left at my Lord's house this afternoon before 5 o'clock.
	Direct Mr. Herne to send a state of the accounts as they now stand of the money issued for cancelling Exchequer Bills.
	[Order for a] letter [of direction to the Exchequer] for payment of divers sums amounting to 8779l. 17s. 6d. to several persons out of arrears of the [late King's] Civil List funds grown due before 8 March last. Ibid., p. 281.
Nov. 30, forenoon.	Present: ut supra.
	Prepare a warrant to renew the Commission of Excise inserting Edw. Noel in the room of Sir Phillip Meadows: and upon Mr. Noel's surrendering his patent of Register [of Excise] for life, to grant that office to Mr. Thomas Yarburgh during pleasure.
	The Commissioners of Prizes are called in. My Lord Treasurer exhorts them to be very careful and give him [frequent] accounts [of their doings, so] that they may receive [his] directions.
	On Wednesday morning the [Treasury] doors to be shut [for the consideration of petitions].
	[Write] to the Attorney General and Mr. Borret to be here on Friday morning concerning prosecutions in the Exchequer.
	Prepare a warrant for issuing 1000l. on the annuity payable to the Prince's [of Denmark's] Trustees.
	Prepare a privy seal for any sums not exceeding 10,000l. to Mr. Nicholas. Ibid., p. 282.