Warrant Books: November 1709, 1-10

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 23, 1709. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1949.

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'Warrant Books: November 1709, 1-10', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 23, 1709, (London, 1949) pp. 405-418. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol23/pp405-418 [accessed 27 April 2024]

November 1709, 1–10

Nov. 1. Royal warrant dated Windsor Castle to the Clerk of the Signet for a privy seal for the making of allowances as follows in the account of James Brydges, Paymaster of the Forces Abroad; being for subsidies to Princes and pay to foreign Forces for half a year ended 1705 Dec. 23. In the said account royal warrants are wanting for several payments made by the said Paymaster [or his Deputies], and further the payments made for her Majesty's proportion of the pay to the Foreign Forces amounting to 242,957l. 10s. 5d. have been made for the full numbers “according to our Establishment under our royal sign manual” [for the 40,000 men and the 10,000 part of the 20,000 additional men] but their pay being without muster rolls cannot regularly be allowed without the Queen's particular warrant:
likewise the sum of 26,938l. 17s. 7d. being the Queen's moiety for forage, waggon money, recruits and other extraordinaries of the said 40,000 men and 20,000 men have been made upon authentic certificates that the States General have paid the like sums for their moiety thereof and therefore may be allowed by a like royal warrant:
likewise the sum of 33,289l. 15s. 10d. being the Queen's moiety for the recruiting of horses lost by the Foreign Forces [forming part of said 40,000 and 20,000 men] before the enemy or by distempers was paid pursuant to accounts adjusted and to Mr. Slingerlandt's certificate that the Dutch have paid their moiety, wherefore the said item may be similarly allowed by royal warrant:
likewise the sum of 44,345l. 4s. 7d. was paid as her Majesty's proportion for subsidies to the King of Denmark, Landgrave of Hesse, Elector of Trèves, Elector Palatine and King of Prussia, all pursuant to Treaties with those Princes and acquittances are brought by the Paymasters [deputies to said Brydges] and this item may therefore be similarly allowed by royal warrant:
likewise the sum of 75,000l. paid to the King of Portugal for the ordinary and extraordinary pay of his Troops from 24 June 1705 to 23 Dec. 1705 appears by receipts to have been paid for the full number of men which by the Treaty he was obliged actually to muster but no muster rolls are produced and this item therefore requires to be similarly allowed by royal warrant:
likewise the sum of 45,000l. paid to the King of Prussia in full of the arrears of his subsidy in the late war “on or before the first day of November which by our Treaty of the 28 Nov. 1704 with the said King we were obliged to pay” and the acquittances of Baron Spanheim are produced for it and this item may be similarly allowed by royal warrant:
likewise the sum of 491l. 1s. 5d. paid to Gerard Rover for the agio and exchange of 50,000 Crowns from Amsterdam to Genoa for the King of Prussia's use for three months' subsidy ending 15 Oct. 1705 according to our Treaty with the said King, is vouched by the acquittance [of the said Rover] for same and may therefore similarly be allowed by royal warrant:
likewise the sum of 1,361l. 0s. 6d. paid to Mr. Van Ellemet, Treasurer to the States General, and 493l. 0s. 5d. paid to David Flotard “pursuant to the Resolutions taken by Us and the States General for carrying on the public services in the Cevennes” are vouched by acquittances and may therefore similarly be allowed by royal warrant:
likewise the sum of 3,122l. 4s. 0d. paid to the General [Marlborough] himself for contingencies and paid [away] by him for such services for which no vouchers were or could properly be taken, will require a royal warrant for the allowance thereof:
likewise the sum of 2,879l. 15s. 4½d. [paid by said Brydges, this accountant] for fees upon his receipt of moneys at the Exchequer for the use of the said Forces (being at the rate settled by Act of Parliament), and the sum of 136l. 9s. 6d. for fees at the Treasury &c. may similarly be allowed by royal warrant.
The Queen being well satisfied of the truth and justness of the said payments as well by the said Treaties and Establishments made pursuant thereto and the acquittance of the parties as by the report thereon from the Auditors of Imprests does hereby order the full and plenary allowance of the said several sums: viz. as follows:
£ s. d.
on the Establishment of the 40,000 men.
to the Danes for their pay from 24 June 1705 to 23 Dec. 1705 in accordance with the Treaty dated 1701 June 15 between Wm. III, the King of Denmark and the States General 58,291 16 3
to the Prussians for pay for same time pursuant to the Treaty dated 1704 Nov. 28 between her Majesty and the King of Prussia 21,568 8 0
to the Hessians for pay for same time in pursuance of a Convention dated 1701 Feb. 13 between Wm. III, the States General and the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel 26,911 17 8
to the Troops of Hanover and Zelle for their pay for the same time pursuant to a Convention between her Majesty and the Duke of Brunswick and Luneburg dated 1704 Dec. 30 86,187 13 6
£192,959 15 5
on the Establishment of the 20,000 men.
to the Troops of Holstein Gottorp for their pay for the same time pursuant to a Convention dated 1703 March 15 between England and Holland and the Duke of Holstein 13,703 5 1
to the Troops of Saxe Gotha for their pay to the same time pursuant to a like Convention dated 1703 March 27 with the Duke of Saxe Gotha 11,657 8 6
to the Regiment of Foot of Hesse Cassell for their pay for the same time pursuant to a like Convention with the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel dated 31 March 1703 5,442 8 0
to the Troops of the Elector Palatine for their pay for the same time pursuant to a Convention dated 17 March 1703 7,695 7 1
to the Regiment of Dragoons of Walef for their pay for the same time pursuant to a Convention with Monsieur Walef dated 24 Feb. 1703 7,327 2 10
for the pay [for same time] of 520 men excess of the 12,000 Danes stipulated for by the Treaty 4,172 3 6
£49,997 15 0
the above two totals making up the sum of 242,957l. 10s. 5d. as above:
and likewise of all the other several and respective sums as already detailed; the item of 44,345l. 4s. 7d. for subsidies being set out in detail as follows:
to the King of Denmark for half a year's subsidy to him to 15 Dec. 1705 pursuant to a Treaty dated 15 June 1701 18,750 0 0
to the King of Prussia for three months' subsidy to 5 Oct. 1705 pursuant to a Treaty dated 28 Nov. 1704 11,904 15 2
to the Elector of Trèves for six months' subsidy to 23 Dec. 1705 pursuant to the Treaty dated 7 May 1702 2,976 3 9
to the Prince of Hesse for six months' subsidy to 23 Dec. 1705 pursuant to the Treaty dated 13 Feb. 1701 5,952 7 7
to the Elector Palatine for twelve months' subsidy to 1705 Dec. 23 pursuant to the Treaty dated 1703 May 17 4,761 18 1
£44,345 4 9
Queen's Warrant Book XXIV, pp. 149–52.
Nov. 1. Royal warrant dated Windsor Castle to the Clerk of the Signet for a privy seal for similarly making allowances of items as follow in the account of Charles Fox as late Paymaster of the Forces acting in conjunction with the Forces of the Allies: to wit his account for the half year from 1704 Dec. 24 to 23 June 1705: all the following payments requiring a royal warrant for their allowance on similar lines and for similar reasons as above:
for payments to the Foreign Forces for the Queen's proportion of their ordinary pay according to the respective Establishments “the said Foreign Troops being still to be recruited without any other allowance.” £ s. d.
on the Establishment of the 40,000 men.
to the Danes for their pay from 24 Dec. 1704 to 23 June 1705 as by Treaty of 1701 June 15 56,624 19 10
to the Hessians for ditto as by the Convention of 1701 Feb. 13 26,142 7 8
to the Prussians for ditto as by the Treaty of 1704 Nov. 28 20,951 12 11
to the Troops of Hanover and Zelle for ditto as by the Convention of 30 Dec. 1704 83,161 16 4
£186,880 16 9
on the Establishment of the 20,000 men.
to the Troops of Holstein Gottorp for pay from 24 Dec. 1704 to June 23 1705 as by Convention of 1703 March 15 13,311 10 9¼
to the Troops of Saxe Gotha for ditto as by Convention of 1703 March 27 11,324 1 11½
to the Regiment of Foot of Hesse Cassel for ditto as by Convention of 1703 March 31 5,286 15 10¾
to the Regiment of Dragoons of Walef for ditto as by a Convention with Monsieur Walef of 1703 Feb. 24 7,117 11 5¼
for 520 men excess of the 12,000 Danes stipulated for by Treaty [for same period of pay] 4,052 12 7¾
to the Troops of the Elector Palatine for same [time of] pay as by Convention of 1703 May 17 7,475 6 6
£48,567 19 2½
the said two sums making a total payment of 235,448l. 15s. 11½d. for said Fox's payments to the Foreign Forces in said time.
Similarly the sum of 4,355l. 17s. 6d. paid to the Duke of Marlborough. Commander in Chief, for Contingencies without account, being paid away by him for such services for which no vouchers were or could properly be taken: similarly the sum of 128,299l. 4s. 2½d. paid for Subsidies as follows, for which acquittances are brought by said Paymaster:
£ s. d.
to the King of Denmark for half a year to 1705 June 15 as by Treaty of 1701 June 15 18,750 0 0
to the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel for half a year to 23 June 1705 as by Treaty of 13 Feb. 1701 5,813 19 0
to the Elector of Trèves for same time as by Treaty of 7 May 1702 2,906 19 6
to the Duke of Savoy for 1704–5 Jan. 3 to 1705 Aug. 2 on the monthly subsidy agreed to be paid him by two months advance as by Treaty of 1704 Aug. 4 89,200 7 6½
to the King of Prussia for three months to 1705 June 15 as by Treaty of 28 Nov. 1704 (“the preceding three months being paid by our General's [Marlborough's] warrant”) 11,627 18 2
£128,299 4 2½
And likewise the sum of 1,507l. 4s. 11¼d. paid to the Elector Palatine to complete his subsidy to the 23 Dec. 1704 (being part of that and the preceding year's Establishment and not being allowed in that [1704] year's account for want of an acquittance, which being since produced the Auditors are willing now to allow if the Queen authorise same):
and likewise the sum of 6,992l. 11s. 6¾d. paid for subsistence and offreckonings to Lord Barrymore's Regiment of Foot for 1704 Dec. 24 to 1705 June 23 which sum is to be surcharged on the [Regimental] Paymaster who shall clear them according to the Establishment and muster rolls, the same being thus made a charge on the Regiment when it comes to be cleared:
and likewise the sum of 648l. paid to Col. Caulfeild's, Col. Gorge's and Lord Charlemont's Regiment for levy money:
and likewise the sum of 6,000l. paid to — Methuen for the defence of Gibraltar “having been accounted for by the said Methuen”:
and likewise the sum of 75,000l. paid to the King of Portugal for the ordinary and extraordinary pay of his Troops for half a year ended 1705 June 30 being for the full number of men, although no muster rolls have been produced for any of the said Forces:
and likewise the sum of 15,472l. 2s. 4d. for loss by the difference of exchange on money remitted by said Foxe to Holland and Portugal:
and likewise the sum of 4,098l. 9s. 11½d. for fees paid by said Foxe on receiving his moneys at the Exchequer:
and likewise the sum of 294l. 4s. 0d. for the charge of passing his account anno 1703:
and likewise the sum of 10l. 16s. 0d. for the charges of a packet from Lisbon:
and likewise of the sum of 11l. 16s. 6d. for fees to the Attorney and Solicitor General for their opinions on a report of these accounts:
and likewise of the sum of 2,118l. 15s. 0d. to — Sweet, Deputy in Flanders, to said Foxe for allowances to himself and clerks for 2½ years to 1705 June 23 (at 30s. a day for himself over and above the Established allowance of 12s. 6d. per diem and 300l. per an. for his three clerks):
and likewise of the sum of 250l. craved by — Morrice, Deputy in Portugal to said Foxe, for loss of goods provided for his [Morrice's] expedition [mission] to Portugal [and lost] in the great storm:
and likewise the sum of 388l. 0s. 6¾d. for house rent, stationery, office furniture, and coach hire expended by said Foxe:
and likewise the sum of 3,260l. for the charge of said Foxe's Office (exclusive of his own salary) for two years to 1707 Midsummer in full of all past and future pretences of this kind: the full total of all the abovesaid allowances being 484,111l. 4s. 0£d. Queen's Warrant Book XXIV, pp. 152–6.
Nov. 2. Royal sign manual for 5,000l. to William Roberts, Paymaster of the Works within the Castle of Windsor, as imprest for the use and service of the said Works. (Money order dated Nov. 28 hereon: with a marginal note of a later Treasury confirmation dated 1710 Aug. 8.) Ibid., p. 159. Order Book VII, p. 334.
William Lowndes to the Customs Commissioners to report on the enclosed Order in Council [missing] relating to ships from the Baltic that arrive in Scotland and a ship laden with plank for the Navy stopped at the Hope, which the importer prays may be unladen in regard the same is so leaky as to endanger the cargo. Out Letters (General) XIX, p. 124.
Nov. 2. William Lowndes to the Customs Commissioners to report on the enclosed letter [missing] from Count Gallas, Envoy from the Emperor of Germany, relating to some horses and dogs bought here for his Royal Highness the Duke of Lorraine and several things of the manufacture of this country bought also for the use of the Duchess of Lorraine which, having been put on board through ignorance (as is alleged) without [entry or] applying to the officers of the Customs, are now under seizure. If the statements are true you are to permit the export on payment of Duty.
The Lord Treasurer further agrees to what you have proposed in your memorial of the 21st relating to the fishery in the creeks in the Medway. In a day or two you will receive a warrant in form about that matter. Ibid., p. 125.
Same to William Blathwaite [as Surveyor and Auditor General of the Plantations and Revenues in America]. The Commissioners for Trade have acquainted the Lord Treasurer that in order to the settling some of the Palatines in the Island of Jamaica the Earl of Carbery is willing to surrender to the Queen in fee about 1,000 acres of land lying between Rio Grande and Port St. Antonio in the parish of St. George's in Jamaica provided the said land and about 8,000 acres more belonging to his Lordship there and lying in the parish of St. Mary's may be discharged from all arrears of quit rent to the time of such surrender. Please certify the Lord Treasurer what the said arrears amount to and what is the value of the lands proposed to be surrendered. Ibid.
Same to Mr. Popple [Secretary to the Commissioners for Trade]. The Lord Treasurer is inclinable on her Majesty's behalf to approve of the above proposition and is calling for certificates of value &c. in the matter as above. Ibid., p. 126.
Order by Treasurer Godolphin to the Customs Commissioners to observe (a) infra.
Prefixing: (a) Order of the Queen in Council dated Windsor Oct. 30 that all ships from the Baltic under quarantine shall not be discharged therefrom until the master make oath of the health of the ship before the magistrate of the place “as has been formerly used in like cases.”
And it being set forth by presentment from the Customs Commissioners of the 25th Oct. inst. that a man of war belonging to the City of Hambro now in the Hope had sent some of her men to a fly boat which came lately from the East Country and that the men were returned to the said man of war, it is therefore hereby ordered that the said man of war be under the rules of the quarantain for so long a time as they shall stay in the Hope and that she be not permitted to land any men or suffer any to come on board during that time: and also that whatsoever ship hereafter shall receive any men or goods from on board ships or vessels under quarantine [she] shall be compelled to do like quarantine, Out Letters (Customs) XV, p. 209.
Nov. 2. Same by same to same to observe (a) infra.
Prefixing: (a) Order of the Queen in Council dated Windsor Oct. 30 concerning the difference between the Customs officers and the Mayor and Aldermen of Newcastle about appointing a place in that port for the performance of quarantine by ships coming from the Baltic. The Customs Commissioners are hereby to appoint a fitting place for the same and for airing the goods of such ships. And further, where any difference shall arise between the officers of the Customs and the chief magistrates in any of the outports touching such places for quarantine and for airing goods the said Commissioners are to appoint such places. Ibid., p. 210.
Treasury reference to Mr. Blathwayte, Surveyor and Auditor General of her Majesty's Plantations and Revenues in America, of the petition of William Byrd, for confirmation of a grant made to him by Col. Parks by an instrument dated 25 Oct. 1707 of a plantation called the Castle Plantation near Cayon Hill in the French Quarter of St. Christopher. Reference Book VIII, p. 373.
The like reference of the petition of Daniel Stoner for the like confirmation of a grant of a plantation in the French Quarter of Basse Terre formerly belonging to Messrs. de Boumere and Michell upon which said Stoner began a settlement and carried on the same with much expense to the improvement of the revenue: of which he had a like grant dated 24 Oct. 1707. Ibid.
The like of a same of Julius C£aesar Parks for the like confirmation of a grant of a plantation in said quarter and known as the Pont de Biens Plantation together with the Carmelites, Malteres and Laresiers Plantation containing 375 acres: of which he had a like grant dated 8 Dec. 1708. Ibid.
Nov. 3. Warrant by Treasurer Godolphin to Spencer Compton to pay 2,000l. to John Miller for the relief of the poor Palatines, to wit by 500l. a week beginning with this week. Money Book XX, p. 175.
Nov. 4. William Lowndes to the [Principal] Officers of the Works to report on the enclosed accounts [missing] of works performed by Michael Studholme in [repairing] the Queen's roads in Hyde Park and in opening the road between Colnbrook and Datchet. Out Letters (General) XIX, p. 126.
Same to the Salt Commissioners to send to the Lord Treasurer their answer to the paper lately delivered to them touching the appointment of an officer of the Salt Duties in Looe port. Ibid.
Warrant by Treasurer Godolphin to the Customs Commissioners to establish an addition of 50l. per an. to the salary of Patrick Mein, the present collector of Deal, for himself and his clerk, as from June 27 last: his present salary of 50l. per an. being not answerable to the increase of business in the said port and the continued trouble attending it, which requires a person of trust, prudence and good conduct; and likewise in consideration of the dearness of provisions, house rent &c. occasioned by the resort of ships of war and merchant ships and their frequent stay in the Downs both inwards and outwards.
Prefixing: presentment by said Commissioners proposing said increase. Out Letters (Customs) XV, p. 211,
Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25, 28. Warrant by Treasurer Godolphin to the Customs Commissioners to employ Benj. Fellows, a tidesman in Liverpool port, as a tidesman in the inferior list London port loco Charles Pickup deceased.
James Shute as a tidesman in Liverpool port loco said Fellows.
William Sprague as a tidesman at Plymouth loco John Redding deceased.
James Browne as a boatman in Newhaven port loco Richard Beach dismissed.
Samuel Gale as a deputy Queen's waiter London port; viz. as deputy to Benjamin Johnson, a Queen's waiter there.
William Pye as a landsurveyor at Falmouth loco Thomas Burgoyne preferred to be collector Ibid.
John Hill to be established as an additional waiter and searcher in Berwick port at 30l. per an.
Thomas Doyley as deputy to Francis Raynsford, a Queen's waiter London port.
Stephen Gill as a tidesurveyor in London port loco William Hatton deceased.
John Boteler (for several years a deputy patent waiter in London port and has done very good service therein) as a landwaiter ibid. loco James Davis deceased.
Roger Bath to be established as waiter and searcher at Izick in Padstow port at 10l. per an.
John Trollop as a boatman at Hechham and Brancaster port in Lynn Regis port loco Thomas Perkins who declines that employment.
John Hey as a landwaiter at Appledore in Bideford port loco Peter Spour deceased.
Francis Ellison as a tidesman at Newcastle loco Timothy Gardner deceased.
Samuell Bell as a riding officer at Filey in Scarborough port loco Thomas Whitehead dismissed.
Henry Ord. Robert Whitehear and Thomas Symonds as tidesmen and boatmen at Bideford locis Henry Carter, Phillip Lake and Richard Copplestone who were drowned.
Thomas Burgoyne as collector of Falmouth loco Rawleigh Radford dismissed.
Thomas Bulley (waiter and searcher at Looe) as collector of Fowey loco James Pilson deceased.
John Chubb as waiter and searcher of Looe loco said Bulley. Out Letters (Customs) XV, pp. 211, 216, 218, 221, 222.
Nov. 5. Royal warrant dated St. James's to Benjamin Bennet, Governor and Commander in Chief of the Island of Bermuda, to discharge the fine of 40l. lately set in said island on Thomas Barrow, late of the said island, for speaking of some words reflecting on the Justice there: all in consideration of his having become blind and of the unhappy circumstances he and his family are reduced to. Queen's Warrant Book XXIV, p. 158.
Treasury reference to the Postmasters General of the petition of Mary Osborn, daughter and executrix of Daniel Gwin, late postmaster and agent to the pacquet boats at Falmouth, praying payment of 674l. disbursed by her father by direction of the Postmaster General. Reference Book VIII, p. 374.
Nov. 5. William Lowndes to the Revenue Commissioners in Ireland to report on the enclosed petition [missing] of Roger Coffoe relating to a seizure made by him of some muslins in the year 1706; of which he complains he has had no benefit. Out Letters (Ireland) IX, p. 123.
J. Taylour (in the absence of William Lowndes) to the Customs Commissioners in Scotland to examine and present Mr. Mirrie for some place in the Customs in Scotland, [he being] recommended by Mr. Pringle. Out Letters (North Britain) II, p. 104.
Nov. 7. Royal warrant dated St. James's to the Clerk of the Signet for a privy seal for an annuity or yearly pension of 500l. to Isabella Danvers as a Gentlewoman of the Bedchamber in ordinary, into which place and quality she was sworn Aug. 1 last. Queen's Warrant Book XXIV, p. 157.
Same to Spencer Compton, Paymaster of the Queen's annual Pensions and Bounties, to pay 3,000l. to Elizabeth Coke (late Elizabeth Hales one of our Maids of Honour) as the Queen's gift and royal bounty for her marriage portion. Ibid., p. 158.
Royal sign manual for 644l. to Sir Charles Cotterell, Master of the Ceremonies; to be applied as follows viz. 300l. as a present from the Queen to the Marquis Viale, Envoy Extraordinary from the Republic of Genoa; 300l. as a same to the Marquis de Sales, Envoy Extraordinary from the Republic of the Grisons: 44l. for the [Exchequer] fees on the receipt of said money. (Money warrant dated Nov. 11 hereon.) (Money order dated Dec. 1 hereon.) Ibid., p. 159. Order Book VII, pp. 335, 379. Disposition Book XX, p. 76.
Letter of direction for 2,000l. to Spencer Compton: for her Majesty's charities and bounties: out of Civil List moneys: to be issued by 500l. a week from this week. Disposition Book XX, p. 68.
Treasury reference to Mr. Borrett of the petition of Thomas Barkwith and Fra. Melling, clerks to the Attorney General, shewing that there has usually been an allowance to them for copying Proclamations and other public business for her Majesty's service: therefore praying allowance of their bill of 36l. 8s. 0d. for said service. Reference Book VIII, p. 375.
Treasurer Godolphin to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to report on the enclosed petition [missing] of the widow of Capt. Laspoy praying a small pension in consideration of her late husband's services and the destitute condition of her and two children. Out Letters (Ireland) IX, p. 123.
William Lowndes to the Customs Commissioners in England to report on (a) infra concerning the export of corn and drawback on tobacco. If you think it necessary, then prepare a draft of a Bill to deal with same.
Prefixing: (a) memorial from the Customs Commissioners in Scotland dated Sept. 3 last. We have sent herewith our report on the letter of David Christie from Bergen of July 23 last relating to the running of brandy into Scotland ut supra, p. 321. He therein refers to the bounty money (or drawbacks as he calls it) on exportation of corn, [and he proposes] that there should be good certificates signed at the place of landing before payment be made. Hereon we beg leave to observe:
(1) That by an Act of 1 Wm. and Mary c. 12, Book of Rates, p. 353, every merchant exporting corn in a British ship under the several prices therein expressed and bringing a certificate in writing upon oath of the quantity and quality shipped and giving bond that the corn shall be exported to parts beyond the seas, is entitled (after departure of the ship from the ports of Britain) to [receive] present payment of the bounty money, upon the making a demand, although the certificate for the landing the corn (in the terms of that Act) in some part beyond the seas be not returned to discharge the bond.
(2) That the officers here [of the Customs in Scotland] under our direction have always, upon exportation of corn, punctually observed the rules and formalities prescribed by law; and therefore we cannot alter the method used both here and in South Britain until the wisdom of Parliament shall think fit to restrict the payment of bounty money to the time of returning a certificate of its being landed abroad or proof made of its being taken or lost at sea: [an amendment] which if provided for by law we think might be of service to the revenue.
On the 28 August 1708 we proposed that no drawbacks should be obtained for tobaccos exported, especially to Ireland, until certificate was returned of its being landed there. We could wish that a law might be made to oblige the merchants to it as in the case of Salt 1 Anne c. 21, Book of Rates, p. 678 [Statutes of the Realm 1 Anne, c. 15, concerning frauds in Salt Duties and payment of Customs House Debentures], which would be of singular service not only to the revenue of Britain but also to that of Ireland and prevent the daily and scandalous practices of those merchants who find means to reland their tobacco by the help of the Isle of Man or otherwise after having obtained debentures, notwithstanding all we are able to do in opposition either by corresponding with the Revenue Commissioners of Ireland or the constant alarms given to our officers on the west and south coasts [of Scotland]. Out Letters (North Britain) II. pp. 104–5.
Nov. 7. William Lowndes to the Excise Commissioners in England to report on (a) infra.
Prefixing: (a) representation from the Excise Commissioners in Scotland concerning difficulties attending their management, with respect to the difference there is between the English and Scots measure and also in relation to the Duties on Low Wines &c. and other matters which they propose may be provided for by the preparation of a Bill against the approaching Parliament, for which purpose they have wrote to Mr. Whetham one of their number (now on leave in London) to continue there to attend the despatch of this affair.
By the 7th Article of the Union the 34 gallons English and 12 gallons Scots are granted to be the same, but upon trial the 12 gallons Scots were found to contain 37 gallons English when measured by the English gallon pot and when measured by the English quart pot to contain 35 gallons English and near one half [gallon more]; upon which the Justices of Peace in Edinburgh and most places of the country [of Scotland] have determined 36 gallons English to be allowed the brewers for the barrel of 2s. drink, being the nearest whole number corresponding to 12 gallons Scots and have accordingly ordered the brewers to retain in their hands the one seventeenth part of the charge made upon them by the Excise officers in Scotland till the Parliament of Great Britain shall determine therein, “which occasions very great confusion in our accounts and will daily increase till settled by Parliament.”
By experiments made by several of our officers it appears that, by reason of the weakness of the brewers' wash, the persons distilling the same cannot draw above one eighth into Low Wines and not more than one third of those Low Wines into Spirits; and as there is no difference appointed by law in charging the proportions between Low Wines and Spirits drawn from this wash and what is drawn from malted corn, which are one fourth into Low Wines and three fifths into Spirits, the distillers have refused payment of their Duty before the Justices of Peace. After many meetings and consultations thereupon they [the said Justices] have given judgment that the distillers shall pay no more than three pence the Scots pint (two whereof make near the English wine gallon) upon spirits perfectly made; and [they do] wholly discharge them from the payment of any Duty on Low Wines in consideration of the weakness of the common brewers' wash: and further that the distillers be allowed to charge themselves by their own oaths without any regard to the charge made upon them by the Excise officers; and this method to continue till the Parliament of Great Britain shall otherwise determine therein. By this means this part of the revenue is at a very great uncertainty and will continue so unless we can be authorised so to direct [our] officers that the distillers, working from the aforesaid wash only, may be charged with what they really draw from thence or to charge from the aforesaid proportions of one eighth and one third.
The retailers in some of the Isles and in the remote parts of several shires are (though numerous) so very small that the charge and time and difficulty in making compositions with them severally will not be answered by the amount. We therefore propose a discretionary power [to us] of compounding such isles and parishes [in the lump].
There are many retailers in several parts of the country which by reason of their distance from market towns and boroughs cannot (without extraordinary charge) be surveyed by our officers “which they being apprized of will not be brought to a reasonable composition.” We therefore propose that those who brew and will not compound but make entries, may be obliged to make such entries upon oath and that if any brewer or victualler, who has been in use to brew for sale and change shall give over without an allowance in writing from the Justices of the Bounds or the Excise Collector, he may be discharged [debarred] from brewing for five years. Ibid., pp. 105–7.
Nov. 8 Letter of direction for 695l. 15s. 4½d. to the Navy Treasurer: out of the money paid into the Exchequer by the Bank of England as part of the Supply anno 1709: and is intended to be placed to the head of Wages and to be paid over to Thomas Savery, Treasurer for Sick and Wounded seamen and prisoners at war, upon account to satisfy bills of exchange now due drawn for those services. Disposition Book XX, p. 72.
William Lowndes to the Customs Commissioners to stay prosecution against Samuel Shepheard et al. concerning the payment of certain bills of exchange drawn on them from Penryn for the Customs of wine brought there which was afterwards, in its passage to London, taken by the French. Out Letters (General) XIX. p. 127.
Nov. 8. William Lowndes to the Comptrollers of Army Accounts to report on the enclosed report [missing] from Mr. How [Paymaster of Guards and Garrisons] touching what sum is reasonable to be allowed to clear the Regiment, late Col. Lillingston's and now Col. Jones's, in the West Indies, to wit to 20 May 1709: all in order that the state of that Regiment and their pay may have as full and strict examination as possible. Ibid., pp. 127, 134.
Same to Mr. Popple [Secretary to the Commissioners for Trade]. The Lord Treasurer has received Mr. Blathwayte's report touching the quit rents issuing out of the Earl of Carberry's lands at Jamaica and the value of the lands he proposes to surrender. Please lay same, as enclosed herein [missing], before the Commissioners for Trade. Ibid., p. 127.
Treasury reference to Sir Christopher Wrenn of the petition of Joseph Roberts, plumber of Windsor Castle with the keeping of the conduits there, praying to be constituted keeper of the water engine there loco John Taylor lately deceased. Reference Book VIII. p. 374.
Nov. 9. Letter of direction for 500l. to William Lowndes: out of Civil List moneys for secret service. Disposition Book XX, p. 73.
William Lowndes to the [Principal] Officers of the Mint enclosing the memorial [missing] of the tinners in Cornwall, received lately by the Lord Treasurer from the Lord Warden of the Stannaries. Please report thereon what you think fit to be considered [by my Lord] in any future contract to be made with the tinners if her Majesty should think fit to direct particularly as to the quantity to be taken and the price to be paid for the same [the output of the tinners], so as that her Majesty may not be a loser thereby. Out Letters (General) XIX. p. 127.
Order by Treasurer Godolphin to the Customs Commissioners to observe (a) infra.
Prefixing (a) Order of the Queen in Council dated St. James's Nov. 6 inst. made upon a report from Treasurer Godolphin and the Customs Commissioners' presentment on a letter from Mr. Dalrymple at Edinburgh relating to the time which ships from the Baltic are to continue under quarantain. It is hereby ordered that the said time is to be reckoned from the day such ships come to anchor in the place appointed for performance of quarantain and not before. Out Letters (Customs) XV p. 212.
Same by same to same to observe (a) infra.
Prefixing: a like order in Council of like date made upon a like report and presentment upon a memorial from Monsieur Leyoncrone, Envoy Extraordinary from the King of Sweden, relating to the ship Anne from Stockholm laden with iron and deals and the ship White Swan also from Stockholm laden with same and with black latten, and pitch and tar; and likewise upon a letter from Mr. Burchett [Secretary of the Admiralty] with another from Mr. Taylour touching the ship Purveyour laden with plank for the Navy. It is hereby ordered that the said ships be permitted to come up the river to their respective places of discharge and thereto unlade without being obliged to land and air their goods, notwithstanding any former orders. Ibid., pp. 212–13.
Nov. 9. Same by same to same to observe (a) infra.
Prefixing: a like order in Council of the like date made upon a report from the Lord Treasurer and presentment from the Customs Commissioners as follows viz. In pursuance of the order in Council of Sept. 26 last the Commissioners have treated with the Earl of [sic for Lord] Teynham for the place called the Salt Pans in the Isle of Grain with the wharf, warehouses and other conveniences there for opening and airing the goods brought in ships from the Baltic after the performing of their quarantine, and have received a memorial from said Lord's agent that those salt works and adjacent lands to the value of 330l. per an. were settled by the late Lord Tenham for raising portions for his daughters and for other uses: that the present Visct. Montague, the only surviving trustee, has proposed the estate for sale with the consent of the now Lord Tenham: that the sea banks that defend the premises from inundation require frequent repairs, the neglect of which is always attended with great charge besides the danger of losing the whole estate: that the tenants are all at will and have no leases: that the landing of these goods will obstruct the sale of the estate and make the tenants leave their farms and endanger the drowning of the whole estate for want of skilled workmen to repair the banks: and that therefore less than 2,000l. will not make good the possible damages: otherwise the said Lord Montague is willing to sell any part of said estate. Thereupon Mr. Hunt (the officer deputed to assist in holding the ships to their quarantine at the creeks in the Medway viz. Standgate and Sharpfleet or Standfleet Creeks) reported that in the said island (which is about eight miles round) there are about 22 families which use small farms, of several proprietors, the whole amounting to near 2,000l. a year; that the Lord Tenham has only one farm of about 300l. per an. besides the salt works which are very much out of repair; that the wharf will cost about 100l. to make it good; that the buildings are ready to drop down except the dwelling house and one small store house which might be fitted up again for a saltern, but otherwise he could not esteem the whole [? salt work] to be worth 100l. in the place where it stands; and that the agent's proposal is very extravagant and that a quarter of the sum [2,000l.] will build a small stage with a large shed in the said [Medway] Creeks as being more convenient for airing the goods, which must be done in some open and not a close place.
Hereupon the Queen in Council orders that if the Customs Commissioners cannot be accommodated on any reasonable terms with warehouses and other conveniences in the Isle of Grain for the above purposes they be empowered to treat for necessaries to build a small stage with a large shed in Standgate, Sharpfleet or Standfleet creeks in the Medway for said purposes. Ibid., pp. 213–15.
Same by same to same to observe (a) infra.
Prefixing: (a) the like order in Council of the like date concerning treating with proprietors of creeks as follows for places for quarantine &c.: the said order being made upon a report from the Lord Treasurer anpresentment from the Customs Commissioners as follows: “By order of Council Standgate and Sharpfleet creeks in the south side of the river Medway are appointed for bringing ships from the Baltic Sea to their quarantains. The [Customs] Commissioners are informed by one of their officers whom they sent to visit the said creeks that they are much frequented by fishermen who “drudge” there for oysters and that the said creeks are let by lease from James Herbert Esq., Lord of the Manor there, to the fishermen in the Liberty or Hundred of Milton who pay 100l. per an. for the same and must be deprived of their livelihoods by such ships lying there, it being not convenient that these fishermen or others should go amongst them.” Wherefore the Commissioners propose that they be empowered to treat with the proprietors of the creeks for quarantine ships to lie there and that the fishermen be prevented resorting thither on this occasion, with some reasonable compensation for the damage which they may sustain by the loss of their fishery in the present season. The Queen hereby orders them to be so empowered &c. accordingly. Out Letters (Customs) XV, pp. 215–16.
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