Volume 108: July 2-August 30, 1708 | British History Online

Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 4, 1708-1714. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1974.

'Volume 108: July 2-August 30, 1708', in Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 4, 1708-1714, (London, 1974) pp. 50-60. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-papers/vol4/pp50-60 [accessed 23 April 2024]

July 2–August 30, 1708



1708. July 2.	1. Various articles of grievance voted at an assembly for the province of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, held at Boston 26 May 1708. Also the answer of the Governor and Council thereto. Dated 2 July 1708. The matters touched upon are (1) the expenses of the fortifications at Salem, Marblehead, and Charlestown; (2) illuminations; (3) court-martial on the miscarriage of the late expediton to Nova Scotia; (4) the payment to Capt. Southack of 40s. per month more than to any other sea commander; (5) the allowance of large sums to the Governor and his guards eastward into the province of New Hampshire; (6) the non-dismissal of the President of the College from his place of judge of probate and justice of the peace. 3 pages.
[? July 3 or 5.]	2. “A certificate of the state of accounts deliver'd by the Auditors of Imprests the 5^th of July 1708,” addressed to the Lord High Treasurer, and signed “E. Harley & A. Maynwaring,” and dated 3 July 1708. 10½ pages.
July 3.	3. “Report [of Com^rs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer] concerning the practice at the Custom House in computing the duties upon unrated goods.” It was attempted to be made out that the method practised at the Custom House for computing the duty of goods paying ad valorem was erroneous, and to the disadvantage of the Crown, but his Lordship would observe that the method and practice of their officers was agreeable to the rule of the law and ancient usage. Dated 3 July 1708. Six other papers connected therewith. Minuted:—“Read 16 Nov^r 1708.” 8 pages.
July 3.	4. Com^rs of Excise (Scotland) to the Lord High Treasurer. Sir William Douglas had returned after six months' leave of absence for sickness, and refused to qualify himself by taking the abjuration oath. His Lordship is asked if they shall pay his salary after the 20^th of April, the time limited by the Act. Dated Edinburgh, 3 July 1708. 1½ pages.
July 3.	5. A draft relating to exceptions in a cause in Chancery between Nicholas Mason and others, querents, and Anna Williams, widow and executrix of Thomas Williams, Esq., defunct, John Williams, Esq., and others, deforcients. Dated 3 July 1708. [Apparently out of its place in this collection.] 28 pages (much decayed).
July 4.	6. Lord Cornbury to the Lord High Treasurer as to the steps taken to prosecute M^r Fauconier for misbehaviour and contempt in refusing to deliver up bonds and other papers relating to the Queen's revenues, and government of the province of New York. Nothing should be wanting to see his Lordship's commands effectually obeyed. Dated New York, July 1708. 1 page.
July 5.	7. Copy of Instructions given by Prince George of Denmark, Lord High Admiral, addressed to Capt. Boyse, Commander of H.M. ship Bonadventure at Leith. He and other captains of ships were directed to correspond with the Com^rs of Customs, the collectors, &c. at the ports, for the security of trade. Dated 5 July 1708. 1½ pages.
July 5.	8. “A state of the salaries of the officers in the General Post Office on the 5 of July 1708, the sum total of which appears to be the same as in October 1705, but the particulars of that year cannot be made out.” [This is a copy made at a much later date.] 1½ pages.
July 5.	9. Report of J. Brydges to the Lord High Treasurer on the memorial of Captain Joseph Guest, praying a consideration for the extraordinary charge he had been at, in coming post from Spain through Italy, with letters to her Majesty and the Earl of Sunderland, from the Commander-in-Chief. The captain had expended near 100 pistoles in his journey, and having again to go abroad forthwith, must have an equipage before his own could arrive from Spain. Major Hunt, who came from Spain on the like occasion, received 200l. out of the contingencies of the establishment of Spain and Portugal. He (M^r Brydges) must leave to his Lordship to determine what he would allow to Captain Guest. Dated 5 July 1708. Minuted:—“12 July 1708, 100^li by a conting^t w^t.” The memorial. 2 pages.
July 6.	10. Copy of certain resolutions of the House of Representatives [for the province of Massachusetts in New England], for payments to Joseph Dudley, Esq., Captain General and Governor in Chief of that province, and to Mr. James Tayler, Treasurer of the province. Concurred in on the 6^th July 1708. 1 page.
July 8.	11. Report of the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lord [Lieutenant?] on the petition of Charles Duke of S^t Albans. For better information they had referred the petition to the Auditor General, whose report they transmitted. Their (the Lords Justices') opinion was, that the pension asked for might be granted; viz., during the Duke's life, the life of Charles “Beauclair” [? Beauclerk], his second son (instead of the Earl of Dorset and Middlesex, lately deceased), and Thomas Felton, Esq. Dated Dublin Castle, 8 July 1708. [The documents referred to are not with it.] 1 page.
July 8.	12. Report of the same to the same, on the petition of the Countess Dowager of Donegal. Had ordered M^r Pratt, their secretary, to write to Lord Mountjoy, Lord Hoath, and Mr. Justice Coote, being the persons best acquainted with the petitioner's circumstances, whose letters in answer they transmitted. They (the Lords Justices) recommend the petitioner for her Majesty's bounty and compassion, although her family and charge were lessened by the loss of three of her daughters, in the fire that destroyed them, in the house at Belfast. Dated Dublin Castle, 8 July 1708. Two letters and the petition referred to, and a list of the late Earl's debts and encumbrances. This last also shows that he died seized of the manor of Belfast. 7½ pages.
July 9.	13. Report of J. Brydges to the Lord High Treasurer on the memorial of Major James Allen, commissary of provisions, sent with the forces under the command of Earl Rivers, in the year 1706; praying to have his accounts of provisions bought up at Lisbon examined; showing the result of the examination. Dated Pay Office, 9 July 1708. The memorial. Minuted:—“Read 12^th July 1708. 200^li upon acco^t of his demands being to subsist him whilst he continues a prisoner in France.” 4 pages.
July 15.	14. Com^rs of Ordnance to the Lord High Treasurer. Had shipped the stores for the intended expedition with Lieut.-Gen^l Erle, amounting to 9,149l. 1s. 1d. Ask his Lordship to enable them to replenish the stores. Dated 15 July 1708. 1 page.
July 15.	15. William Popple, jun^r, to William Lowndes, Esq. The Com^rs of Trade and Plantations having considered the report from the Com^rs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer, on the petition of John Keble, of West Jersey, relating to his setting up a potash work in that province, and having also received a particular proposal from him, desire M^r Lowndes to lay before the Lord High Treasurer the substance of the proposals, with their Lordships' opinions thereon. His scheme included, 1st, a loan from the Government to him of 200l.; 2nd, the transport of 16 servants at 5l. a head, in the ship that was to carry the Lutherans and the recruits to New York; 3rd, a patent for 14 years for making salt in West Jersey, exclusive of all others in America. The wood burnt in making the salt would afford considerable ashes. The Lords advised that the scheme should be favoured, potashes being a commodity so absolutely necessary. The returns for the American potashes would be made in woollen and other manufactures, whereas at present all the potashes came from the Czar of Muscovy's dominions, and were paid for, two thirds in money and one third in goods. Dated Whitehall, 15 July 1708. Minuted:—“My Lord doth not approve of this proposic[i]on.” 3½ pages.
[About July 16.]	16. Petition of Jasper Ashworth to the Lord High Treasurer for the place of land waiter in the port of Liverpool, lately held by his father. Certificate in his favour. Dated 16 July 1708. Minuted:—“To be considered at London.” 2 pages.
July 17.	17. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lord [High Treasurer] on the petition of the Mayor, Corporation, &c. of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis, co. Dorset, praying some allowance out of the unappropriated customs, to enable them to keep up the ancient keys, piers, and bridge of the town and port. The collector and controller of the port of Weymouth and the collector of Lyme had viewed the same and reported them in a very ruinous condition, and if not speedily repaired would entirely stop up the port and harbour. The charge of repair would amount to upwards of 3,000l. If the inhabitants were unable to raise the money it might be proper to represent their case to Parliament. The present duties were so strictly appropriated and made funds of credit for repayment of public loans, that whatever might have been heretofore allowed them, they (the Com^rs) could not advise the application of any part of the present revenue for the petitioners' relief. Dated 17 July 1708. The petition and the report of the collectors referred to, which gives a minute account of the state of the port and harbour, &c. Minuted:—“A copy to be sent to M^r Henley.” 3 pages.
July 17.	18. J. Hawler to M^r Lowndes. The Com^rs of Victualling on being applied to, to supply provisions to the Leeward Islands, replied that they were unable to spare any more provisions; their office having been at a charge of near 400,000l. for victualling land forces, &c. Dated Admiralty Office, 17 July 1708. The copy of the reply mentioned. 3 pages.
July 19.	19. The Lord Lieut. of Ireland (Pembroke) to the Lord High Treasurer. Had transmitted the petition of James King, Esq., son of Lord Kingston, to the Lords Justices whose report he (the Lord Lieut.) now returns to the Lord High Treasurer; agrees with the Lords Justices that 200l. per ann. would be a sufficient allowance for the support and education of the petitioner. Dated 19 July 1708. The petition and report. 4 pages.
July 19.	20. The same to the same. On the petition of Major Charles de Cresseron praying that his former pension of 3s. 6d. per diem might be increased to 4s. per diem, in consideration of his having been a captain of French dragoons under the Earl of Rivers, which post he was obliged, by age and indisposition, to quit in Valencia. Agrees with the Lords Justices to whom the petition had been referred that the grant of his former pension of 3s. 6d. a day was reasonable. Dated 19 July 1708. The petition and report referred to; together with two certificates. 5 pages or parts of pages.
July 21.	21. The Board of Green Cloth to the Lord High Treasurer. Notwithstanding the sum of 4,000l. directed for the entertainment of the Queen of Portugal in her voyage from Holland to Portugal, it would be further requisite to have a credit at Lisbon. Dated 21 July 1708. Minuted:—“26 July 1708. My Lord will speak with Sir H. Furnese about this matter, but his Lp. thinkes there cannot be much occasion for this, in regard the expence will cease immediately upon the arrival of the Queen at Lisbon.” 1 page.
July 21.	22. Duke of Shrewsbury to [? the Lord High Treasurer]. Encloses a letter received from his agent, who had represented to his Grace that his mills at Alveton were seized by one Robert Gilliver, a Queen's messenger, under a warrant from the Lord Treasurer, the millers being turned out and attempts being made to “set” the mills. The seizure was made under a demand of rent of 40s. a year due to the Queen. His Grace asks his Lordship's advice, and if he signed such a warrant, or whether it was a mistake. The mills had been for some years in his father's possession, and for 40 years in his own, and his Grace could not learn that anything had ever been paid to the crown upon their account, and desires to know on what her Majesty's title is founded. Congratulates his Lordship on the late great victory in Flanders. Dated Heathrop, 21 July 1708. Minuted:—“26 July 1708. M^r Gilliver to come up imediately to answer to these complaints, & some others against him & to put his graces tenants into possession before he comes up.” 3 pages.
July 21.	23. Lady Margaret Sharp to [? M^r Lowndes]. Asks him to use his interest with the Lord High Treasurer to get her Majesty's signature to a paper enclosed, prepared by Sir David Dalrymple, in favour of Sir William Sharp. Her Majesty had promised when her ladyship took leave that it should be done as soon as possible. The Archbishop of York had promised her when she was at Bishopsthorpe that he would write and thank [M^r Lowndes] for his favours to her. Dated Stonyhill, July 21, 1708. 2 pages, quarto.
July 24.	24. Com^rs of Customs (Scotland) to William Lowndes, Esq. Inclosed report and memorial of Sir Alexander Cuming relating to cockets. On the 15th inst. in the Sound of Rachrie, Capt. Cammock, commander of the Speedwell, fell in with two French privateers one of 24 the other of 18 guns, and after a hot dispute of three hours took the former and carried her into Carrickfergus. There were two more small privateers of 50 men and four guns each on the coast. Besides these privateers infesting the western coast, M^r Lowndes would see by the letter from their principal officer of Zetland, that they were very troublesome in the North; so that hardly a boat could pass between Orcades and that place without being taken. The Lords of Sessions and Justiciary were very impatient, and had again demanded their money. The Com^rs prayed his Lordship's directions therein. Dated 24 July 1708. The memorial and report. 5 pages, 2 parts.
July 25.	25. Order in Council made on a report of the Lord High Treasurer (quoted) for nesessary stores of war, amounting to 6,782l. 15s. 2½d. to be provided and sent to New York. Dated 25 July 1708. [Marked “Duplicate.”] Minuted:—“Speak w^th M^r Blathwait as to y^e defect in this ord^r in not requiring the Gov^rs to send acc^ts of the Rem^s of stores, &c.” 3 pages.
July 25.	26. Copy of Order in Council approving of the report above referred to, and directing an account of the remains of ordnance stores to be sent. Dated 25 July 1708. 1 page.
July 26.	27. Report of J. Howe to [the Lord High Treasurer] on the memorial of Gregory King, Esq., Secretary to the General Officers appointed to regulate the clothing of the [army], viz.: as to payment of charges of the office out of contingencies. Dated 26 July 1708. Another paper relating thereto. 2 pages, quarto.
July 26.	28. Copy of both the above papers. 2 pages.
July 26.	29. Opinion of Samuel Dodd on the right of the Queen to import for her own use, French wines, notwithstanding certain laws. “If the crowne bee bound by these laws then it is cleerly unlawful soe to doe; and if the crowne bee not bound by these laws, then noe customes are due.” Dated 26 July 1708. 2 pages.
July 27.	30. Memorandum that Captain Vetch presented to the Com^rs of Trade and Plantations, a paper entitled “Canada surveyed, or the French Dominions upon the continent of America, briefly considered in their scituation, strength, trade and number; more particularly how vastly prejudicial they are to the English interest, and proposing a method of easily removing them.” Dated 27 July 1708. Minuted:—“M^r Popple to acquaint the Lords Com^rs for Trade that Her Ma^ty upon their rep^rsentation, is pleased to agree to allow Capt. Vetch ye 10^s a day as they propose, so long as they shall have occasion to require his attendance here, upon the proposall he has made to them; and therefore my Lord desires they will give him all the dispatch they can.” 1 page.
July 27.	31. M^r Baron Smith to the [Lord High Treasurer]. Was concerned to be so long in Scotland without being able to give a satisfactory account of the interests of the crown put under “their” care. His brother Scrope and he had endeavoured to get a clear understanding of them, but things had gone on in so loose a method that the discoveries they expected were made very slowly. Asked for directions as to “compounding of signatures,” for he desired as little might be left to their discretions as might be. The more certain rules they had to act by the better. The statement of the public debt proved to be a very uneasy work. Were going on pretty well with seizures, but the officers of excise were discouraged by the partial actings of the justices of the peace. Doubted they would have to set up an appeal from their (the justices') determinations. When the justices had a check upon them they would act with more caution. It seemed necessary to set up an inspector over the seizures. In England the inspector had 12d. in the pound out of the money paid into the receipt. It would amount to but little in Scotland, but it would be some help to a servant of his, Walter Spooner, who was his clerk and crier in England, and was left wholly unprovided for in the settlement of their court, all fees being taken from the Barons and their clerks. Would do her Majesty the best service he could, assisted by Baron Scrope. Dated 27 July 1708. Minuted:—“Read 18^th August 1708. My Lord agrees to this. Walter Spooner to be inspector of seizures in North Britain.” 2 pages.
July 27.	32. Report of Agents for Taxes to the Lord High Treasurer on the petition of Anthony Springett and French Bromfeild, Esq., Receivers General for the county of Sussex, praying that an over payment made by them on the subsidies for 1703 might be transferred to the land tax for the year 1707; recommending compliance with the prayer. Dated 27 July 1708. Also the petition. 2 pages.
July 28.	33. The Duke of Leeds to [the Lord High Treasurer]. Would be ashamed to give a second trouble if the petitioner (Edward Wardour) about whom he was writing were not of so good a family and reduced to so great an extremity of want. His Lordship would see that the petitioner deserved more than ordinary compassion. His Grace supposed that these considerations, which procured the petitioner a dispensation from attendance (although he received the salary), would plead an excuse for troubling his Lordship. Dated Wimbledon, 28 July 1708. Petition of the above Edward Wardour to the Hon. John Smith, Esq., Chancellor of the Exchequer, asking him to back the above letter to the Lord High Treasurer to procure him a warrant from the Queen for the first vacancy of a poor knight's place. Petition of the same to the Lord High Treasurer, praying to be reinstated in his tidesman's place, or to be admitted as a keyman until otherwise provided for. Had been dismissed from the former place for not attending his duties, altho' (in regard to his birth and the places he had enjoyed) M^r Okely, the clerk in the surveyor's office, had been spoken to to be civil to him, and he (the petitioner) presumed the Com^rs were sensible he no longer went aboard. As the place afforded a subsistence without toil, he acquiesced therein, without seeking for preferment. Being a gentleman of an ancient family, the only son of Edward Wardour, Esq., eldest son of Sir Edward Wardour, Kn^t, and nephew to M^r William Wardour, late Clerk of the Pells, he conceived that he was all along excused from duty as a mark of favour, he having never been used to hardship. King Charles I. had granted to M^rs Mary Wardour, petitioner's mother, an annuity of 100l. per ann., of which, in the year 1670, 775l. were in arrear. Copies of three certificates. Minuted:—“2^d Aug^t 1708. My Lord will speak with the Com^rs Customs about this.” 4 pages.
July 30.	34. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer on three reports from the Com^rs for the Duties on Salt, two of which relate to the pilchard fishery in the county of Cornwall, the other being the petition of divers gentlemen of that county for admitting entry of about 200 tons of prize salt taken by a Flushing privateer and brought into Falmouth. The Com^rs advise that the fish might be shipped for exportation from private keys, but if a debenture were demanded, it ought to be shipped at some lawful open place, key, or wharf where the officers of customs attended. Further, they could not think it advisable to admit an entry of the salt. Dated 30 July 1708. The reports and other documents. 25 pages and 3 sheets.
July 30.	35. Report of the Com^rs of the Navy to Jo. Taylor, Esq., on the petition of Captain Thomas Wilshaw, late a commander of one of H.M. ships, to be reimbursed 30l. wrongly paid out of his pension of 100l. per ann.; advising that it was wrongly paid. Dated 30 July 1708. The petition and copy of a warrant for the grant of the pension. Minuted:—“21 Aug^t 1710. Upon reading y^e rep^t, my L^ds are satisfyd y^t y^e mony was paid to Hen. Cowdery, not as clerk, but as collector, and if y^e pet^r be wrongd he must appeal for y^e future to y^e Comm^rs who made ye assessm^t.” 3 pages.
July 30.	36. Report of the Com^rs of Customs on the petition of the owners and Virginia merchants interested in a captured ship. The Com^rs could by no means be of opinion that the Queen should contribute towards the redemption of the master and mate of the ship, or that she should pay in proportion to her duties, which were all strictly appropriated by parliament. The petition, a copy of the same, and three other documents. Minuted:—“5^th Aug. 1708. Read.” 7 pages, 2 halves.
July 31.	37. Petition of Alexander Ross, Under Clerk of the Justice Court, to the Lords Justice General, Justice Clerk, and Commissioners of Justiciary; with their recommendation of the petitioner to her Majesty for the payment to him of 40l. for his services since the Union, and for an additional salary for the future. Dated Edinburgh, 31 July 1708. 1 page.
July 31.	38. Similar petition of James Montgomerie, of Lainshaw, Clerk to the Supreme Court, and recommendation thereon of the payment of 100l. and additional salary. Same date. 1 page.
July 31.	39. Similar petition of James Guthrie, James Henderson, and Thomas Montgomerie, macers to the Justice Court, and recommendation of payment to each of them of 10l. and additional salary. Same date. 1 page.
July 31.	40. Com^rs of Customs (North Britain) to William Lowndes, Esq. Had already notified that Captⁿ Cammocks had taken a stout privateer that infested the western ports. The letter from the Admiralty Office to the Provost of Edinburgh, “acquainting them,” with the care taken by H.R.H. the Prince for the trade of those parts, had extremely pleased the people. Dated Edinburgh, 31 July 1708. Enclosed is an undated and unaddressed paper as to the harassed state the people of Shetland were in, from the French. Scarcely any boat from Orkney escaped them. Applying for a garrison to be appointed. 2 pages.
Aug. 4.	41. Report of Sir Isaac Newton and D^r David Gregory to the Lord High Treasurer, on the memorial of the Com^rs, Mess^rs Rutherford, Brown, and Bruce, in which they desire a reward for executing their commission, &c. As their business was to receive the old money of Scotland from the Bank and see it melted into ingots, and to deliver the ingots to be coined, keep an account, &c., it was proposed that 360l. should be paid to them, their clerks and servants, out of the same fund as M^r Allardes' was paid, for melting the money and ingots in their presence. Dated 30 June 1708. A postscript to the report by Sir Isaac Newton states, that he was informed that the Privy Council of Scotland had made an Act for paying to M^r Allardes 1d. per pound weight troy, for melting the money into ingots, and had ordered the Com^rs of the Equivalent to pay the same out of the Equivalent, conformably to the article of Union, and in obedience thereto the Com^rs had paid M^r Allardes for what was melted. The old money was the people's, until it was melted into ingots, and the ingots were delivered by the agents of the people by weight and assay, to the Master of the Mint to be coined, and therefore all the charges of this melting were to be borne by the people, and by consequence out of the Equivalent in accordance with the Act. Dated 4 Aug. 1708. 2 pages.
Aug. 8.	42. Copy of an Order in Council referring to the Solicitor General, the Judge of the High Court of Admiralty, her Majesty's Advocate General, and to the Advocate of Prizes, a presentment of the Com^rs of Prizes, and the opinions of the Solicitor General and Sir Edward Northey thereon, viz., for their consideration and for the preparation of a draft of an order thereon to be approved by her Majesty. The question was whether her Majesty was entitled to a moiety of all prizes taken in America by any of her Majesty's ships of war, or ships in her service, until the 24th of June then last past. Dated 8 Aug. 1708. The opinions referred to. 4 pages.
[About Aug. 9.]	43. “An acco^t of what the late Comm^rs for Sick and Wounded & their officers have received for salaries & travelling charges since the dissolution of their commission, viz., Midsomer, 1698.” Minuted:—“9 Aug^t 1708. The Aud^rs to state the acco^ts upon the direccons in M^r Chancellours rep., &, wⁿ my Lord sees the balance, he will consider the acco^tants as to their cravings for sall[aries] and travelling charges, after their commⁿ was dissolved.” 1½ pages.
Aug. 14.	44. Com^rs of Customs (Scotland) to John Taylor, Esq., Treasury Chambers. 4,293l. 2s. 10½d. had been directed to be sent to the Receiver General of Customs at London, and they did not doubt they should send the like sum in 14 days. Enclose a second account drawn up for the Com^rs of the Equivalent, &c. Two merchant ships of South Britain had captured a French privateer and carried her into Banff, a member of Inverness. Dated 14 Aug. 1708. 2 pages.
Aug. 18.	45. James Mountague [Solicitor General] to —. Had perused the enclosed letter from the Earl of Sunderland to the Lord High Treasurer, and the papers as to intercourse between French ships and some people on the coast of Sussex. Captain Baker had gone into Kent and Sussex. Had prepared instructions for him. Dated 18 Aug. 1708. The letter and papers referred to. 9 pages, two halves.
Aug. 20.	46. Presentment of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer, in relation to the sudden withdrawal of M^r Sansom and his clerks from the collectorship of Bristol, and the confusion in the accounts consequent thereon; also as to the appointment of Jacob Raynardson, Esq., to that office. Propose to write to have the money in hand remitted. Dated 20 Aug. 1708. Minuted:—“21 Aug^t 1708. The Comm^rs to write accordingly.” 1½ pages.
[About Aug. 20.]	47. Case as to prizage wines drawn out upon the special verdict on an action against the collector of customs inwards in the port of London for 6,000l., in Hilary term. 1705–6. Docquetted:—“Case of prizage. Whether advisable to bring a writ of error.” Minuted:—“20^th August 1708. It is thought that the House of Comons are most proper to explain their meaning in this case.” 3 pages.
Aug. 20.	48. The Lord Lieut. of Ireland (Pembroke) to the Lord High Treasurer. Had sent the petition of Charles Dering, Esq., to the Lords Justices, who had returned it with their opinion and report of the Attorney General of Ireland thereon, and now his Excellency returned them to his Lordship. His Excellency was of opinion that the petitioner, upon surrender of his patent as Auditor General of that kingdom, deserved to have another grant during his own and his son's life. Dated 20 Aug. 1708. The petition and the Lords Justices' report. 2½ pages.
Aug. 21.	49. Com^rs of Customs (Scotland) to John Taylour, Esq. Mentions the amounts remitted to the Receiver General. The season had come for pinning and curing herrings, of which vast quantities were caught in those seas. In order to prevent fraud in connexion with the salt duties, they had directed skilled officers to be present during the fishing season at the places in North Britain, where the fish were usually packed up and cured. By this means they hoped to prevent illegal practices and the unjust clamours of ill-designing men, which otherwise they had much reason to fear. Dated 21 Aug. 1708. 1½ pages.
Aug. 25.	50. Docquetted:—“Opinions about the charge of the salarys to the Lords Justiciary on y^e customes in Scotland.” Signed:—“Tho. Powys” and “Ja: Mountague.” Dated 25 Aug. 1708. 6 pages.
Aug. 25.	51. Memorial of H.M. Agents for Taxes to the Lord High Treasurer for payment of the incidental charges of their office. Dated 25 Aug. 1708. Also the bill thereof. 2 pages.
Aug. 26.	52. M^r Hill to M^r Taylour. The bearer, Captain Congreve, who lost his arm and all he had in the world, except a wife and children, is so much an object of charity that the writer is not ashamed to solicit in his favour. Dated 26 Aug. 1708. Minuted:—“100^li by M^r Compton.” 1 page, quarto.
Aug. 28.	53. Com^rs of Customs (Scotland) to the same. Respecting tobacco pretended to be shipped for Ireland, but which was not landed there. Unless a law were made obliging the exporters of tobacco for Ireland to return certificates of their discharge before they had their debenture, the merchants would obtain drawbacks, and run the tobacco to some part of Britain. Dated Edinburgh, 28 August 1708. 1 page.
Aug. 28.	54. The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Pembroke) to the Lord High Treasurer, on the petition of M^r Richard Martin, a security for a collector of revenue of the crown for part of the county of Galway, who had withdrawn himself and gone into the army, whereby the petitioner was liable to her Majesty for 1,200l. The petitioner desired to be allowed to compound. His Excellency believed the petitioner was in a very low condition and a proper object for her Majesty's compassion. Dated 28 August 1708. The reports of the Lords Justices and the Com^rs of Revenue, and the petition referred to. Minuted:—“My Lord cannot give any directions in cases of this kind against the opinion of the Com^rs of the revenue.” 5½ pages.
Aug. 30.	55. A small collection of letters from Robert Gilliver, employed in collecting arrears due to the crown, addressed to Christopher Tilson, Esq., at the Treasury office, giving an account of his proceedings. They are dated at Chester, Burton-upon-Trent, and Eggington, and between 21 July 1703 and 30 Aug. 1708. [He alludes to the levy he had made upon the Duke of Shrewsbury's mills (see 21 July, Vol. CVIII. No. 22) in which business he says he was used very scurrilously.] 9 pages.
Aug. —.	56. Draft of warrant of the Queen, granting to Sir James Cunningham, of Milncraig, Bart., “the feu dutys, retour dutys, nonentry and taxt ward dutys relief and taxt ward marriages” due to her Majesty from the lands and baronies of Gaitgirth, Easter and Wester Loudouns, and other places “within the Shire of Air and Bailliary of Cunningham;” also from divers other lands specified. Dated — Aug. 1708. 1 large page.