Minute Book: August 1678

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 5, 1676-1679. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1911.

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'Minute Book: August 1678', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 5, 1676-1679, (London, 1911) pp. 848-852. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol5/pp848-852 [accessed 26 April 2024]

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August 1678

Aug. 2. Memorandum : To see all the returns of the Poll Bill as soon as they come into the Exchequer and to compare the receipt of each County upon this Act with that of the former Poll.
The Lord Mayor, Sir Fra. Chaplyn, to have 3,000l more by wine bonds or tobacco bonds and advise him to settle the rest of his debt on perpetual interest.
The Marquess of Winchester to have two years creation money.
Mr. Dalmahoy's letter to be considered.
Sir Jno. Robinson and the warders of the Tower called in. An order of Council is read referring the warders' complaint to be heard by Treasurer Danby. They complain that some of them are three years in arrear and desire their arrears may be paid and that the privy seal [for certain of the Tower officials' establishment salaries including their own] may pass for the future in the [Tower] Constable's name. After long debate Treasurer Danby reduces the point to payment or non payment. Mr. Bowes says that for the ancient warders they find Sir Jno. Robinson has received the money out of the Exchequer and has not paid the same to them. As for the late warders, since the coming in [to office] of the Constable [of the Tower] nothing has been received because no privy seal [has passed for their salaries]. Question [is raised] whether Sir Jno. Robinson has not received out of the Exchequer the pay for the warders till 1674, Michaelmas. Treasurer Danby directs them [the warders present] to make some instances of persons who have not been paid [in spite of] Sir John Robinson having received the money. They instance Edward Chard for several years in arrear and John Robinson for ten years' [in] arrear. Sir John Robinson says they are no warders. Both their constitutions are produced under Sir John Robinson's own hand and seal. Sir John says they are both in trust for him and never did duty. Edward Cressett's deputation is produced under the hand and seal of the Earl of Northampton and Sir John Robinson, and [he] is in arrear, viz., ten years as executor to his uncle late gentleman gaoler and two years for himself as a warder. [Similarly] Bambrigg, Davenport, Davis, Durrant, James, Sapp and Mris. Breach all complain of arrears.
Sir Geo. Jeffryes, of counsel for Sir Jno. Robinson says that if Sir Jno. has received any money and detained it he is very willing and ready to make satisfaction, and says that [up] till 1674, Michaelmas, he is willing and ready to pay, although he has not received it : says [further] that all this complaint arises only by John Robinson, Sir John's kinsman, and one that he trusted and [who] has got away his [Sir John's papers or] writings, and did bring a false certificate that Bambrigg was dead and so got a deputation ; and for Chard he gave a bond to surrender but Mr. Robinson has got the bond and has received all the fees from the prisoners and never came to an account, being only trustee and his name used as Gentleman Gaoler and has also received the fees as deputy Gentleman Porter and has not accompted.
Mr. Robinson says he has offered an account by which Sir John Robinson is debtor 500l.
Treasurer Danby directs that a further answer be given to James, Davis, Breach and Sapp, and also to Cressett ; and [further] the quarterly bills [of the Tower are] to be brought in.
[Treasury Minute Book VI. pp. 43-5.]
Aug. 3. Saturday. Treasurer Danby and the Chancellor of the Exchequer are to meet [this day] and consider who are to be nominated for the present Receivers of the tax and how far they are capable of being employed therein. The Attorney General is to attend.
The account of the Hearthmoney [is to be taken into consideration this day].
Sir William D'Oyley [his case is to be considered this day] about settling the security for the debt owing by him to the King.
[Day Book pp. 145-6.]
Aug. 3.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer : Attending : the Attorney General.
Treasurer Danby desires to know the Attorney General's opinion upon a clause in the late Act of Parliament for raising 619,388l. l1s. 9d. [viz., the clause] wherein the Receivers are concerned. The Attorney General is of opinion that if any receiver [of any former taxes] be in arrear and the time of accompting be not come such receiver is not incapable [of being chosen a Receiver for the present Act] ; and is [further] of opinion that no Receiver can be employed who hath not cleared his accounts.
[Treasury Minute Book VI. p. 45.]
Aug. 5. Monday. The account of the Hearthmoney [is to be considered this day] at 10 in the forenoon.
[Day Book p. 146.]
Aug. 5.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mr. Bertie to speak with Mr. Kent about changing tallies on the Excise with the Treasurers of Excise that so the Treasurers, having already paid and advanced 100,000l. on the Fifth part of the Excise, may not advance more, but Mr. Kent may advance the other 100,000l. Tallies to be struck for 200,000l.
The Contractors for the Hearthmoney are called in about their demands of defalcations upon their account of the two first years of their farm ; and the defalcations [are this day] settled. Vide the account. Treasurer Danby promises to the said Contractors a power to collect [Hearthmoney duty] upon gaols.
[Ordered that] 200l. be allowed to the officers of the Works for the making a passage or gallery for the House of Commons to go more immediately and privately into the Painted Chamber.
[Treasury Minute Book VI. p. 46.]
Aug. 7. Mr. Dashwood to attend Treasurer Danby to-morrow morning upon the [matter of the] overplus of the Excise [receipts according to the covenants of the farm of the Excise to him and his partners] ; and Mr. Bertie is to speak with him this afternoon.
A letter to be sent to the Navy Board to stop all repairs and contracts for stores "for the said use" till further order, except the building of the new ships. Mr. Pepys to be spoken with on this subject and that when any warrants are issued by the Lords of the Admiralty that create a [fresh] charge Treasurer Danby is to be first acquainted with it.
Treasurer Danby to be put in mind to consider how to lessen the charge of the Navy and to have a minute of it when he goes to the Admiralty.
Treasurer Danby to be put in mind of desiring his Majesty to be at the Treasury Chambers to-morrow morning upon the [occasion of considering the] bidding for the Chimney [money] farm.
[Ibid.]
Aug. 8.
Treasury Chambers.
Present : The King, Duke of York, Prince Rupert, Lord Chancellor, Lord Treasurer, Secretary Coventry, Secretary Williamson, Chancellor of the Exchequer : Attending : the Attorney General.
[The agendum of the meeting is] about receiving proposals for the Hearthmoney farm or management.
Four proposals are received and read, viz., Mr. Heron's proposal, Mr. Sharidon's two proposals for farm or management, and the present managers' [or Contractors'] proposal : upon consideration whereof his Majesty directs that time be given till Saturday the 17th inst. [for all if they please] to amend their proposals and for them or any others to bring in new ones.
[Ibid, p. 47.]
Aug. 9. The Victuallers of the Navy [are ordered] to have 37,000l. out of the second quarter of the 412,000l. : which [37,000l.] pays for all victuals delivered.
[Ibid.]
Aug. 12. Monday. The Customs Commissioners are to attend at 3 in the afternoon [of this day] about the report by them made in the case of Lancellot Ashby, late Surveyor of Deal port.
Sir John Clayton and Mr. William Dickenson (of the wood farm) are to be heard [the afternoon of this day] upon Mr. Westland's complaint that they demand too much duty for deals by him brought from Swedeland.
[Day Book p. 146.]
Aug. 12. Present : Lord Treasurer : Attending : the Customs Commissioners.
Treasurer Danby to move the King touching the privileges of Parliament in the case of the King's debtors.
The Proprietors of Carolina are to be writ to to send over the collector (now in prison there), with what charge they have against him.
The Customs Commissioners [are] to examine fully the information of Mr. Younger and to report upon the whole [matter] to Treasurer Danby [as to] what benefit accrues to the King thereby.
[Treasury Minute Book VI. p. 47.]
Aug. 20. Treasurer Danby directs that the Coinage Money lately brought into the Exchequer, being about 3,175l., be immediately issued to Mr. Slingsby for the service of the Mint. In the margin : Done. [meaning : letter written to the Auditor of the Receipt to issue same.]
A letter to be written to the Treasurer of the Navy to satisfy the Victuallers' bills for May and June last, being 32,273l. 12s. 3½d., by orders in his hands [charged] upon the 412,925l. tax [paying same] next after the 300,000l. for wages. In the margin : Done. [meaning : letter written.]
Serjeant Bishopp's order for 106l. [is] to be satisfied out of any disposable money in the Exchequer. In the margin : Done. [meaning : letter written to the Auditor of the Receipt to so issue same.]
A letter to be written to the Treasurer of the Navy to pay Sir Thomas Clutterbook's bills for May and June last for Victualling, amounting to 4,866l. 14s. 0d. [paying, same] by orders in his [said Navy Treasurer's] hands. In the margin : Done, [meaning : letter written.]
A letter to be written to the Treasurer of the Navy to dispose of 2,000l. [as follows], viz., 1,000l. for tickets, 150l. for work at Woolwich, 700l. for building at Sheerness, 100l. for contingencies at the [Navy] Treasurer's office and 50l. for a medal to Capt. Bennet. (Marginal note ut supra.)
[Ibid. p. 48.]
Aug. 27. Treasurer Danby directs that 150l. be paid to the Earl of Carbery out of secret service. In the margin : Done. [meaning : letter written to one of the various persons who were employed as channels for secret service to pay same ; or possibly that Bertie himself had paid the said sum out of the secret service money in his own name.]
Treasurer Danby also directs that 300l. be forthwith paid to the Earl of Feversham for his journey into Flanders, and that 300l. be also paid to Monsieur de la Bronziere forthwith. In the margin : Done. [meaning : letter written to the Auditor of the Receipt to issue same.]
Capt. Choglan (Coglan) to have 50l. (Marginal note ut supra.)
A letter to be written to the Treasurer of the Navy to dispose of 2,000l. for freight to transport horse into Flanders. In the margin : Done. [meaning : letter written.]
A letter to be written to the Customs Commissioners signifying Treasurer Danby's pleasure that his warrant for constituting Mr. Wells as collector of Yarmouth shall be obeyed. (Marginal note ut supra.)
Treasurer Danby directs that the 100l. due to Sir Edw. Walker in his life time be paid. In the margin : Done. [meaning : money warrant drawn.]
Capt. Wanklin to have 100l. for one year of his pension due at Michaelmas next : [to be paid] out of secret service. (Marginal note ut supra.)
[Treasury Minute Book, p. 48.]