Minute Book: August 1705

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 20, 1705-1706. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1952.

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'Minute Book: August 1705', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 20, 1705-1706, (London, 1952) pp. 23-29. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol20/pp23-29 [accessed 26 March 2024]

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August 1705

August 8, forenoon.
Whitehall, Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer.
Mr. Bridges is called in and his memorial is read.
[My Lord ordered the following issues] thereupon :
£ s. d.
for Major General D'Offarrel et al. on the order for 150,000l. for the King of Portugal : and is to be issued out of loans on Low Wines [3-4 Anne c. 18] or on the Two Thirds Subsidy [3-4 Anne c. 3] 1677 10 0
for 4 months' subsistence to the Dukes of Hanover and Zelle in lieu of douceurs &c. to 23 Oct. next : and is to be issued out of loans or other money [and on the order] for the 40,000 men anno 1705 2952 12 0
to complete 5000l. to Mr. Churchill and Mr. Harnage for small clothing &c. sent to Portugal : on the order for 10,200 men 2000 0 0
[My Lord directs the issue to the Navy Treasurer of] 8000l. out of loans on Low Wines or [the Two Thirds] Subsidy : and is intended for Wages to seamen.
My Lord Halifax comes in. My Lord Treasurer asks him if he hath any objection to the granting a pardon to Robert Presgrave concerning the fraud committed by him in the Receipt of the Exchequer. He says he hath none. Treasury Minute Book XV, p. 113.
Aug. 9, forenoon. Present : Lord Treasurer.
[My Lord directs the issue to William Lowndes of] 500l. for secret service.
The Agents for Taxes with Sir Michael Bydulph are called in. The reports of the former and the reasons of the latter for an abatement [on the composition proposed by said Agents to be set upon him as a surety of Morgan Whitley] are considered. It being insisted on Sir Michael's behalf that the valuation of 4 years' purchase for his life (he being in a bad state of health) is too high, my Lord Treasurer condescends to abate one year's purchase, provided the composition money be paid viz. 2500l. by Xmas next and the rest by the 1st of March next. The Agents for Taxes are forthwith to adjust the sum and to propose to my Lord, in a report, upon what taxes and in what proportions on each tax it is to be paid in.
The Navy Commissioners and the Victualling Commissioners are called in. The two points concerning Mr. Papillon's account for 1698 are adjusted. See the report of the Victualling Commissioners.
[My Lord directs the issue to the Paymaster of the Ordnance of] 10,000l. for land service of the Ordnance : out of loans on the Two Thirds Subsidy.
[Likewise to the Paymaster of the Works of] 1323l. 1s. 0d. to complete Mr. Wise's first bill.
[Likewise to] Mr. Tailer of 2000l., on the order in his name for [building at] Woodstock.
[Likewise to the Master of the Great Wardrobe of] 5000l. on account of the debt in the Office of the Great Wardrobe incurred in her Majesty's reign. Ibid., p. 114.
Aug. 21, forenoon. Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Ordered that the officers of the Exchequer do take in any loans upon the tin from time to time so [long] as that the loans remaining thereon unsatisfied do not exceed 100,000l. in principal] money.
See the agreement with the Duke of Albemarle concerning Mote Park as contained in the privy seal.
[My Lord directs the issue of] 500l. to the Treasurer of the Chamber : on account to defray the extraordinary charge of her Majesty's progress to Winchester. Ibid., p. 115.
Present : ut supra.
[My Lord directs] 1500l. to be imprested to the Cofferer against her Majesty's remove to Winchester.
The landwaiter at Weymouth is to be searcher in the room of Mr. Ellesden deceased, and Mr. Wilkins is to be presented for the [said] landwaiter's place. Ibid.
Aug. 22. forenoon. Present : ut supra.
The Auditors [of Imprests] and the Earl of Ranelagh are to attend [my Lord Treasurer] on the 19th September next about the said Earl's accounts as late Paymaster of the Forces.
Sir Henry Furnese will accept from the Victuallers 9000l. in Land Tax tallies and orders, so [long] as they [the total tallies and orders drawn on said fund] be under 1,820,000l., as in satisfaction of bills of exchange drawn from Lisbon for the Victualling. My Lord Treasurer resolves that in case these tallies and orders prove deficient they shall be made good out of some other fund.
Ordered that 9000l. be issued to the Treasurer of the Navy to pay bills of exchange drawn for the Victualling : to be issued out of loans which are to be made by [Sir] Henry Furnese on the Land Tax [anno 1705].
Likewise 10,000l. more in [ready] money, to same : for the Victualling and is to pay bills of exchange, Necessary Money to the pursers, Short Allowances and other contingent charges of the [Victualling] Office : to be issued out of loans on Low Wines and on the Two Thirds Subsidy.
[My Lord directed] 1500l. to be issued to Mr. Bridges : to be paid over to the King of Portugal on his order in further part of his subsidy : to be issued out of loans in the Exchequer.
Likewise 4000l. to same : out of same : for the 40,000 men : as on account of their pay.
Likewise 5000l. to same out of loans on Low Wines and 5000l. out of loans on the Two Thirds Subsidy : and is for the 10,200 men in Portugal : [the orders for the said loans are to be] without interest till it be directed [specially by the Lord Treasurer that such interest shall be allowed on them]. Ibid., p. 116.
Eodem die afternoon. Present : ut supra.
The memorial of Guicciardine Wentworth is read praying a recommendation of his son-in-law, Mr. John Horncastle of the kingdom of Ireland, to the Revenue Commissioners there for the next place that falls [vacant in the revenue] there if he is capable of it. My Lord Treasurer orders a letter to be writ to the said Commissioners recommending him for such employment as they find him qualified for.
[My Lord directs the issue of] 14,216l. to the Treasurer of the Navy out of money remaining in the Exchequer of loans on this year's funds : and is intended to be paid over to the Treasurer for Sick and Wounded for discharging 3 months' quarters for Sick and Wounded from Xmas 1703 to Lady day 1704 : whereof three fifths is to be placed to the head of Wages and two fifths to the head of Victualling.
The Duke of Ormonde will be here on Friday morning.
[My Lord directs the] issue of 5240l. 10s. 0d. [to the Transports Commissioners : out of loans in the Exchequer : and is to be issued on the order for 68546l. 19s. 6d. to make good the extraordinary services of the war anno 1703 : and is intended] for transport services as follows : viz.
£ s. d.
for 2 months' imprest for shipping and necessaries for the 5000 landmen sent with the Fleet as also for a ship of sea coal 2306 4 8
for half the freight of a ship to Jamaica with 2 Companies of Handasyde's Regiment [on board] and for bedding, medicines, spirits and tobacco 676 15 4
for an addition of medicines, spirits and tobacco 92 11 0
for answering bills of exchange from Portugal for ships taken up [hired] there to attend the Expedition, by order of Mr. Methuen and the Earl of Peterborough 440 0 0
more for the like service 1724 19 6
Treasury Minute Book XV, p. 117. Disposition Book XVIII, p. 2.
Aug. 24, forenoon. Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
On [reading] the letter of the 16th inst. from the Principal Officers of the Ordnance [my Lord Treasurer orders a letter to] direct the Treasurer of the Ordnance to procure money to be advanced on the 20,700l. tallies and orders in that Office which have about 68l. [? 6 or 8] per cent. interest due on them, [provided or] so as he do receive from the advancers of the money all the interest due together with the principal, allowing only a discount of 2 per cent. according to the said letter. And when this money is received it is to be reckoned [as] in discharge of so much of their [the Ordnance Office] deficiencies on the former years of this war. Let the order express the proportions in which the same is to be applied towards making good the said deficiencies. Ibid., p. 118.
Aug. 27. forenoon.
Windsor Castle.
Present : ut supra.
Issue 1109l. 1s. 4½d. [to the Paymaster of the Works to be paid over for so much] due to Mr. Wise for half a year on his contract of 1600l. per an. [for keeping the royal Gardens] and three quarters on his allowance for St. James's Park.
Reports and petitions are read and answered [and my Lord's answers are endorsed or margined upon them].
Write to the Commissioners of Transports to send to Mr. Martin Tucker forthwith to transmit to them his account of the Transport service during the time he has had anything to do therewith.
My Lord Treasurer agrees with Sir Henry Furnese to remit the money to Holland upon the foot of his last contract, to wit for 6 months longer from the expiration of his said contract, which was on the 13th inst.
[My Lord directs] 1837l. 10s. 0d. to be issued to Sir Thomas Littleton, Treasurer of the Navy, out of loans to be made by Sir Henry Furnese on the Two Thirds Subsidy : the same being intended to satisfy bills drawn from Lisbon for the service of the Victualling.
My Lord agrees that if Sir Henry Furnese will give his bills for 50,000 dollars to be remitted to Hamburg at the rate of 5s. a dollar (as he avers the exchange thither is at this time) to be paid over to the King of Denmark to complete the satisfaction of 100,000 d[olla]rs for arrears of subsidy due to that king before Xmas 1704, he shall be paid the 12,500l. for the same out of loans to be made by himself or any others after this day on credit of the tin as fast as the same can be lent thereon, with [due] regard [had] to the direction lately given that the said loans shall not at any one time exceed 100,000l. ; and the said 12,500l. shall be issued to Mr. Fox on the proper order [therefor] and paid over to Sir Henry accordingly.
[My Lord directs the issue of] 2000l. for secret services on the order in Mr. Lowndes's name.
Send to the Agents for Taxes the address from the Grand Jury of Exeter &c. and direct the Agents to consider of proper methods as well to recover the money already discovered as for finding out and recovering the money which the Crown has been defrauded of in other parts of the county of Devon and to present the same in a report to my Lord Treasurer. Ibid., p. 119.
Eodem die afternoon,
Windsor Castle.
Present : the Queen : the Lord Treasurer, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Papers are read as follows [and decisions are taken thereon by the Queen as printed below in italics].
Mr. Incledon [his petition] setting forth that he holds the office of Keeper of her Majesty's House at Westminster called the House of Peers, for the life of his wife with a fee of 6d. a day : that the house or lodgings belonging to that office are very ruinous and will cost near 400l. to repair : that he and his wife are desirous to surrender their present term together with a debt of 237l. 6s. 8d. owing to them from the late King William and to be obliged to keep the premises in repair if they may have a fresh 31 years' grant therein. [On reference] the Surveyor General [of Crown Lands] is of opinion that the proposal is reasonable, the repairs now wanting being very great. Granted.
Lady Lawson [her petition] shewing that her late husband by a codicil to his will bequeathed 600l. to the Queen in recompence of taxes which he ought to have paid to the present or late sovereign by way of common assessment : that she is left with several children and under mean circumstances : therefore prays the Queen to bestow said legacy on the family. [On reference] the Attorney General reports that the codicil containing the bequest is so worded that it carries a presumption with it that the testator was not in his senses when he dictated it, and in regard to the circumstances he thinks the petitioner and her family are objects of your Majesty's charity. The legacy is given to her by the Queen for the benefit of her children.
Edward Ashe, Comptroller of the Customs at Plymouth, [his petition shewing] that he hath 7 nephews, Members of the House of Commons, well affected to your Majesty ; that the profits of his employ are much diminished by the war ; therefore praying that his condition may be mended by some better employment or some addition to what he has. [The Queen's answer is] : The war will not continue always.
Paul and Mary Pigout, children of Stephen Pigout deceased, French refugees [their petition] praying a grant of the Queen's title to what is due from the estates of their father and brother, Stephen and James Pigout, deceased, to James Baron an alien enemy now residing in France, in regard their said father Stephen left 100,000 livres in France to which the said Baron was entitled as next Roman Catholic relation to their said father. This petition having been referred to Mr. Borrett he reports that the several allegations therein are true, that the petitioners are maintained by their mother and that he thinks them very fit objects of royal compassion. Granted. But in all these cases the Queen's charges is to be first reimbursed.
Charles Scarborough Esq. [his petition shewing] that he is entitled in right of his wife to the remainder of a term in the late dwelling house of Sir Alexander Frazier within Whitehall Palace : that the said house was built at the proper charge of Sir Alexander and that it was so much damaged by the fire in Whitehall that it has been uninhabited ever since and will require a large sum to rebuild or repair : therefore praying a further 31 years' term therein. On reference the Surveyor General [of Crown Lands] advises a lease at a fine of 150l. and with a clause of re-assumption to the Crown. Granted with the clause of re-assumption. But upon the re-assumption the charge [of compensation to the lessee for his building expense] to be determined by the discretion of the Lord Treasurer.
Mr. Charlton's certificate of plate standing out on indentures at the Jewel House [and not duly returned to the Jewel Office is read and noted].
The Earl of Abercorn [his petition] praying the Queen to accept of a surrender of 6 lighthouses in Ireland and of a Duty on foreign ships of 500l. a year out of the Exchequer for the support of the said lighthouses and to grant him an equivalent. This petition having been referred to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and by him to the Attorney and Solicitor General there, the Lord Lieutenant is of opinion the request is a matter of grace and favour, that petitioner is a fit mark of royal bounty, and that he has actually surrendered his patent: therefore proposes 1000l. a year to him for 3 years out of the revenue of Ireland. [The Queen agrees and grants him] 1000l. per an. for 3 years out of the Irish revenue.
Mr. Travers, Surveyor General [of Crown Lands, his petition shewing] that there is 750l. due to him on 200l. a year for riding charges and other extraordinary expenses in the execution of his office, of which 350l. incurred in the late reign : therefore praying payment. To be paid so much as is reckoned for the time since 8 March 1701-2 [i.e. since her Majesty's accession].
William Palmes Esq. [his petition] praying a lease of Cookham and Bray and several other things mentioned in a report from the Surveyor General of Crown Lands. The Queen doth not think his petition proper but if he can discover anything else that is proper she will be willing to gratify him.
Mr. Borrett's report on several petitions relating to some orders for annuities and reversions worth about 600l. which belonged to one Stephen Cantolive [Cambolive] an alien who died intestate. Borrett is of opinion the same ought to go to his [Cambolive's] sister Eliz. Murat who is come from France but [who is] taken up upon some information, and that she ought to be set at liberty. Stephen Cambolive's estate to go to his sister according to Mr. Borrett's report.
The Earl of Clarendon [his petition] praying that his 1500l. a year may be granted for 31 years if her Majesty so long lives. The Queen says it wilbe much better to lett it stay as 'tis.
Mr. Norton's [Richard Horton senr. one of the clerks of the Crown Office in the Queen's Bench : his] reply to the Earl of Scarborough's complaint against him for stopping the execution of his warrant for 3 brace of bucks yearly out of Bere Forest. My Lord Treasurer to try to agree the matter with Lord Scarborough [so] that the Queen may hear no more.
Mr. Cornwallis [his petition] praying that the Queen will be pleased to allow him something for his support. Move the Queen for 50l. [The Queen orders him] 50l.
Countess Cassillis [her petition] praying the Queen's bounty. [The Queen orders her] 100l.
[My Lord directs the] issue of 4500l. to Mr. Brydges on the order in his name for 222379l. 5s. 10d. for the 10,200 men in her Majesty's pay in Portugal : to be issued out of loans to be made by said Brydges on Low Wines ; the orders for which loans are to be drawn without interest and are to be reserved in said Brydges' hands for such uses of the said men as the Lord Treasurer shall direct. Treasury Minute Book XV, pp. 120-2.