Volume 174: March 15-April 10, 1714

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

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Volume 174: March 15-April 10, 1714', in Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 4, 1708-1714, (London, 1974) pp. 563-575. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-papers/vol4/pp563-575 [accessed 18 April 2024]

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

March 15–April 10, 1714

March 15. 1. The Lord Lieut. of Ireland (Shrewsbury) to the Lord High Treasurer. The Comrs for the settlement of the poor Palatines in Ireland had applied to his Grace to transmit the enclosed duplicate of their representation, to be laid before her Majesty for her consideration. His Grace hoped his Lordship would interpose with her Majesty on their behalf. Dated Dublin Castle, 15 March 1713.
The duplicate referred to, dated 4 Apr. 1713, which is fully abstracted in this calendar under that date. 4 pages.
March 15. 2. Thomas Cremer to Richard Powys, Esq. Stating that the Bishop of London desired him to move the Lord High Treasurer for payment of his (the Bishop's) allowances due on the 9th inst., the day of his return from Utrecht into her Majesty's presence, as her Majesty's ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary for a general peace. Desired also payment of 187l. 10s. for the expense he was at in transporting his goods, &c. into Holland. Both of the sums were far short of what they cost him. Dated Somerset House, 15 March 1713/1714.
Also the bill. 2 pages.
March 15. 3. William Paterson to —. Sending three schemes of the present state of annuities for 99 years and 32 years. Expected it would be in this as it was more than … years ago with the proposition of the Bank, wherein against numbers of empty doubts and scruples for above three years together, all terminated in,—How we should find the money? Upon another occasion there was the same question. He now answered it that there was a proposition prepared, by the which the money might be raised at about 5 per cent., and the funds could be completed in three months by passing an Act of Parliament. Dated Westminster, 15 March 1713/1714.
The three schemes. 4 pages.
March 17. 4. Memorial of the merchants concerned in the bills drawn by Mr Chetwynd on the Hon. James Brydges, Esq., for corn and other necessaries provided for her Majesty's army in Spain.
Also copies of letters relating to the same matters.
“R. Marc. 17, 1713/1714.” 5 pages.
March 17. 5. A dividend of the off-reckonings due to the marine clothiers from 25 Apr. 1711, amounting to 46,030l. 3s. 10d. Dated March 17 1713/1714. 2 pages.
March 17. 6. Report of Wm Borrett to the Lord High Treasurer on the petition of Joshua Williams, clerk to Sir Robert Reymond, her Majesty's Solicitor General. The clerks had heretofore been paid by the Treasury for reports and other business done. The annexed paper contained an account of the said business. Had moderated the demands to what he thought should be allowed. Dated 17 March 1713/1714.
The petition and paper referred to. 4½ pages.
March 17. 7. Representation of Robert Davers, Esq., Auditor of the Excise, to the Lord High Treasurer, as to an allowance of salary to clerks for the duties on candles, hops, &c. Dated Excise Office.
“R. Marc. 17, 1713/14.”
Copy of warrant relating thereto. 2 pages.
March 17. 8. Memorial of J. Holbech to the Lord High Treasurer for the supply of the Maundy money and for “the daily alms & poor at gate.” Dated March 17, 1713. 1 page, quarto.
March 18. 9. Report of the Comrs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer, on the memorial of Richard Ferries, Esq., desiring that Francis Long, junr, might be approved by his Lp as deputy to his son, who was a Queen's waiter in the port of London. They did not object. Dated 18 Mar. 1713.
At the foot is the approval of his Lordship.
The memorial mentioned. 2 pages.
March 18. 10. Comrs for disbanding the Marines to Mr Lowndes. Enclosing their report on the petition of the subaltern officers of the four regiments of marines lately disbanded, and praying for the Lord High Treasurer's directions about the contingent charges for their meetings in connexion with that business. Dated March 18, 1713/1714.
Minuted:—“Read 27 Mar. 1714. They are to lay before my Lord an estimate of what the whole charge proposed may amount to. The report sent to Sir Rogr Mostyn.
“23 Augt 1714. To Sr Roger Mostyn to hasten the accot of wt is due to the subalterns.” 1 page.
March 19. 11. Report of the Comrs for duties on hides to the Lord High Treasurer on the petition of Edward Conway, Esq., Receiver General of the land tax, 1713, for the counties of Chester, Denbigh and Flint, praying that process against him might be stayed. They could not think it reasonable that the process should be stayed, and moved that his Lordship would supersede his commission. Dated 19 Mar. 1713.
Minuted:—“22 Mar. 1713/1714. Mr Conway to apply to the Commrs and lay wt he has before them, to ease his debt, that they may come prepared on Thursday to give their opinion wt is fit to be done.”
The petition referred to. 3 pages.
March 19. 12. Memorial to the Lord High Treasurer from Sir William Fazakerly, Knt, and others, trustees for taking in a loan of 500,000l. on the security of 666,000l. South Sea Stock transferred to them. The time had expired for repayment of the loan, and they asked directions as to what answer they should give to applicants. Dated 19 March 1713.
Minuted:—“23th Mar. 1713/4. They are to acquaint the Lendrs that they shall be paid out of ye first money that shall be granted by parłt.” 1 page.
March 20. 13. Report of the Comrs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer, sending an account of the gross produce of the duties appropriated “for payment of the class orders,” 1711. Dated 20 March 1713.
The account named, signed:—“Robert Paul p[ro] Compr Genl, 20 March 1713/1714.” 2 pages.
March 20. 14. W. Bromley to the Lord High Treasurer. Sends by the Queen's command a copy of a memorial received from Mr Bonet, the King of Prussia's Resident, concerning the report made by Mr Brydges on his demand of the arrears alleged to be due to his master's troops that served in Italy in the last war. Asks what answer is to be given to Mr Bonet. Dated Whitehall, 20 March 1713/4.
The copy referred to. 4 pages.
March 20. 15. Copy of an order made at a General Court of the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty, on 20 Mar. 1713/4, viz.: that Mr Baker their Treasurer should wait on the Lord High Treasurer and pray his Lp's directions to the officers of the Exchequer for payment of 4,000l. out of the First Fruits and Tenths. “By order of the Governors, John Chamberlayne, Secretary.” ½ page, quarto.
March 22. 16. Report of the Officers of the Mint to the Lord High Treasurer, showing the amount and value of tin at the Tower and in the hands of the agents for tin in Cornwall and Devon and in Hamburgh, Holland, and elsewhere. The total was 5,289 tons 8 cwt. 3 qrs. 15 lbs., and the price 411,127l. 12s. 10d. Dated Mint Office, 22 March 1713/4. 1 page.
March 22. 17. James Bruce, Controller of Army accounts, to —. Relating to the rules as to assignments of off-reckonings for the clothing of the army. Encloses her Majesty's instructions. Dated Privy Gardens, 22 Mar. 1713/1714.
The instructions are not now with the letter. 1 page.
March 23. 18. Copy of letter from the Board of Trade to Lord Bolingbroke, asking for an appointment with his Lp, to consider the claim of some French Protestants settled in St Christopher's before the war, and the settlement of all the French part of the island, together with the revenue there. Dated Whitehall, 23 March 1713/14. 1½ pages.
March 23. 19. Comrs of Ordnance to the Lord High Treasurer. Laying before his Lp the petition of several officers of her Majesty's trains of artillery who served abroad, and asking him to intercede with her Majesty to recommend them to the House of Commons. Dated 23 March 1713/1714.
Minuted:—“24 March 1713/1714. To be sent to Mr Windsor to lay bef …”
The petition. 2 pages.
[? About
March 24.]
20. Petition of Rachel Briggins, widow of John Briggins, glazier, deceased, to the Lord High Treasurer. Petitioner's husband broke his leg all to pieces by a fall, and though he had the advice of 14 surgeons, yet his leg was forced to be cut off, from which he died, leaving four small children. The money due for his work at the Savoy had been paid. Prayed to be allowed to go into one of the empty houses at the Savoy for a habitation.
Minuted:—“24 Mar. 1713/1714. She has her debt & must be content.” 1 page.
March 24. 21. Memorial of Thomas Moore to the Lord [High Treasurer] for the payment of 15,555l. 8s. 6d. and 40,241l. 2s. due to Matthew Decker, Esq., on a deposit of 69,435l. South Sea stock, advanced for her Majesty's forces in the Low Countries. Dated Pay Office, 24 Mar. 1713/1714.
Minuted:—“25 Mar. 1714. Read.” 1 page.
March 24. 22. Postmasters General to Wm Lowndes, Esq. Mr Gallwey was never employed in this office, and they were strangers to the business he performed between Dover and Calais, and could be no judges of his case, or the service for which he prayed payment. Had received the enclosed letter from Mr Buck, their agent at Dover, in answer to the directions from the Lord Treasurer, and took occasion to observe that Capt. Gallwey, who was the person named in the extract of the letter from Dublin (relating to recruits raised for the Pretender passing through Dover for France), was the same mentioned in Mr Buck's letter. Dated General Post Office, 24 March 1713. 1 page.
March 24. 23. James Meyrick to the Lord High Treasurer. Had for several years spent his time and money in keeping up the interest of just and loyal men to serve in Parliament, and had been a great sufferer by the late King James to the value of 2,500l. Had waited twelve months in hopes of being preferred by his Honour. Was born in Herefordshire, near to Croft Castle, was related to Bishop Croft, and bred up by him, and was first recommended to Mr Harley by Sir Herbert Croft. Was capable of employment as a Queen's waiter, or as a Comr of Appeals or of Hawkers and Pedlars, &c. Dated 24 March 1713.
Minuted:—“24 Mar. 1713/4. Send this to Mr Lambert.” 1 page.
[? Feb. or
March.]
24. 1713/1714. “New Year's [gifts] for the accot of the clerks of the Treasury”; also New Year's gifts for the accounts of Mr Lowndes and Mr Harley, 1714.
These are schedules of sums payable to different officers. 6 pages and 3 parts of pages.
[? About
March 25.]
25. A list of all the commissioners, clerks, and officers belonging to the Office for Sick and Wounded Seamen, &c., with their salaries, and the sums assessed thereupon for taxes: distinguishing how much thereof has been paid to Lady Day 1708, and how much since to Lady Day 1714. 1 page.
[? About
March 25.]
26. Account for postage of letters by the Trade and Plantation Office, from Christmas 1713 to Lady Day 1714. 1 page.
March 25. 27. [Mr Auditor Godolphin] to the Lord High Treasurer. As to payment of the rent of a house and the repairs of the same, which he had held of Mr Vanbrugh, who enjoyed it as controller of the works. Dated 25 March 1714.
Minuted:—“Send this to the works.” 1 page, quarto. Signature cut away.
March 25. 28. Arrears payable by Spencer Compton, Esq. To be paid by her Majesty's command. Dated Mar. 25, 1714.
Minuted:—“Paid 27 Mar. 1714.”
Only two items. 1 page, quarto.
[About
March 26.]
29. Petition of Patrick Gallwey, commander of “The Bolingbroke” yacht, to the Lord High Treasurer, praying payment for his services between Dover and Calais, after the rate of 400l. per ann., or 20l. for every express.
“R. March 26, 1714.”
Referred to the Postmasters General to report on, 6 April 1714.
Also certificate of his services from her Majesty's messengers. 2 pages.
March 26. 30. Lord Ormonde to the Lord High Treasurer. Asking his Lp to countersign a warrant signed by the Queen for an allowance of 8s. a day to Lord Mark Kerr from the time the command of a regiment was given to him. Dated Whitehall, 26 March 1714.
Minuted:—“Wt sign'd.” 1 page, quarto.
March 26. 31. Francis Gwyn to [the Secretary of the Treasury]. Enclosing his report as to what was due to the Earl of Portmore, to be laid before the Ld Treasurer. Dated Whitehall, 26 March 1714.
Minuted:—“29 March 1714. Read.” 1 page, quarto.
March 27 32. The same to the same (Mr Lowndes). Had transmitted to Mr Brydges several papers and accounts relating to the officers of eight companies of invalids, having no objection to the procuring of some relief for those poor officers, and the people who credited them, if the Parliament thought it reasonable. Dated Whitehall, 27 Mar. 1714.
Minuted:—“Read 29th Mar. 1714. Mr Gwin p[re]sent. He says Mr Bridges has acq[uain]ted him that he is ready to deliver his acct to ye house.” 1 page, quarto.
March 29. 33. The same to the same. Had received a letter from Mr Conduit, Commissary General of stores and provisions at Gibraltar, and an estimate of the expense of bringing provisions into the storehouse there. It seemed necessary that speedy orders should be sent to the Commissary General, as there were not much above two months' provisions in the place. Dated Whitehall, 29 Mar. 1714.
Copies of the letter and estimate named.
Minuted:—“30 Mar. 1714. See Conduit's Comn & Instrucc[i]ons, wch, as supposed, did issue from the office of Sec[retar]ry State. The Commrs Victuallg to take these papers & report.” 5½ pages.
March 29. 34. Report of the Comrs for Sick and Wounded Seamen to the Lord High Treasurer on the petition of Peter Levermore, their late agent at Portsmouth, approving of his having the dividend due to him from South Sea stock. Dated 29 Mar. 1714.
Minuted:—“24 May 1714. Agreed.” 2 pages.
March 30. 35. Report of Mr R. Powys to the Lord High Treasurer on the memorial of George Delaval, Esq. Her Majesty, on 26 Oct. 1710, directed the payment of 5l. a day for his ordinary entertainment as envoy extraordinary to the King of Portugal, and on 20 Dec. 1710 an allowance of 3l. a day as plenipotentiary to the King of Portugal and to the Emperor of Fez and Morocco. The former had been paid to Midsummer 1713; on the latter only 273l. had been paid, so that there remained 2,529l. due at Midsummer, if it were thought fit to pay him. Dated 30 Mar. 1704 [which must be a mistake for 1714].
Minuted:—“6 Aprill 1714. Whether Mr Delavall was at Marocco. Whether the Queen has not paid others for treating with Marocco, and whether he had inst. as plenipo. If so, whether by łre from the Sec[reta]ry this pt of his power was not superseded.”
The memorial referred to and a letter from the memorialist. 4 pages.
March 30. 36. Representation by the Officers of Works to the Lord High Treasurer of the debts in the Office of Works at Windsor Castle. Dated Windsor, Office of Works, 30 March 1714. 1 page.
March 31. 37. “Necessaries wanting to proceed on the survey with one of the transports ordered me by her Majesty's instructions bearing date the 21 July last.”
There is nothing to show who the person was, but he received his commission on 31 July and claimed his salary “to this 31st day of March 1714.” The expedition required 35 men for 18 months. 1½ pages.
March 31. 38. A list showing the names and pensions of his late Royal Highness's Danish servants for three-quarters of a year to Lady Day 1714. Signed E. Nicholas. Dated 31 March 1714.
Minuted:—“Lre sign'd 1 April 1714.”
There is also a list of three other pensioners. 2 pages.
April 1. 39. The Lord Lieut. of Ireland (Shrewsbury) to the Lord High Treasurer. Had for some time put a stop to all expenses not necessary for the service of the Government. Several persons could not support themselves without their pensions. Enclosed a list of them, that he might receive her Majesty's directions whether she would allow them to be paid as formerly. Also desired her Majesty's pleasure upon the list of civil and military pensions and half-pay officers lately transmitted. Dated Dublin Castle, 1 April 1714.
Minuted:—“6 April 1714. Make ye list more p[er]ticular by setting downe wn granted & consns, and my Lord will then take ye Q's pl.” The list named. 2 pages.
[? About
April 1.]
40. Memorial of the States of Liege, relating to the arrears due to the troops of Hanover and Holstein.
Minuted:—“1 Aprill 1714. Send this to ye Sec[reta]ry at Warr.” 1 page.
April 2. 41. “Memorandum from Peter Laroche in behalf of Bernard de Vigneau. April 2d 1714.”
Bernard de Vigneau prayed for the arrears of his pension, which he had enjoyed ten years before her Majesty came to the Crown, by the particular recommendation of the late Queen Dowager and the late Prince of Denmark.
Minuted:—“26 May 1714. To be paid to Midsr 1713.” 1 page, quarto.
March 25
and
April 2.
42. “25th March 1714. A list of his late Rll Hss' servts & al. brought by Mr Nicholas,” showing the pensions due to them.
Also, “2d Apr. 1714. List of severall of his late Rll Hss' servts & al. not yet paid to Lady day last.”
The last is minuted:—“L~re sigñd 13th Apr. 1714.” 9 pages.
April 3. 43. W. Bromley to Mr Lowndes. Her Majesty ordered that Mr Lowndes should prepare an account of the deficiences arising upon an Act, passed in the third and fourth years of her reign, for granting a subsidy on wines and merchandises imported, to be laid before the House of Commons. Dated Whitehall, 3 Apr. 1714. 1 page, quarto.
April 5. 44. Copy of letter from Wm Lowndes, Esq., to Wm Popple, Esq. Enclosed by the Ld High Treasurer's directions copies of petitions of several Protestant refugees, praying to be restored to lands in St Christopher's, taken away by the French during the late war, to be laid before the Comrs for Trade to report on. Dated Treasury Chambers, 5 Apr. 1714. 1 page and 3 lines.
April 6. 45. An account of the annual expense of the plantations respectively, so far as the same concern the office of ordnance, “viz. at Barbadoes, Annapolis Royal, and Placentia.” Dated 6 April 1714.
“Rs. 7 Aprill 1714.” 1 page.
April 6. 46. Report of the Lord Chief Baron (Ward) to the Lord High Treasurer respecting what was fit to be done as to “making forth” five Exchequer bills of 100l. each, in lieu of the like number sworn to be lost. Was of opinion that four of the bills should be renewed on good security as the Act directed Dated 6 Apr. 1714.
A previous report of the Attorney General, the petition of Samuel Nelson, the petitioner in the case, and 10 other documents connected therewith. 17 pages.
April 7. 47. E. Lewis to Richard Powys, Esq. In answer to his letter relating to Mr Delaval's commission of plenipotentiary to the Emperor of Morocco. His full powers and instructions were dated 2 Dec 1710. They were the same as were given to the Duke of Argyle on 25 July 1712 and afterwards to Captain Paddon on 31 Jan. 1712/1713. Conceived Mr Delaval had not been within the dominions of the Emperor since his appointment. Did not know that it had been signified to him in Lord Dartmouth's time, that either his commission or allowance should cease; nor did it appear at the Secretary of State's office whether the Duke of Argyle or Captain Paddon had any appointments on account of their commissions. Dated Whitehall, 7 Apr. 1714.
Minuted:—“19 April 1714. Consider whether the Privy Seale will authorize his pay as plenipo. to Portugal & Morocco, wn nothing was acted in consequence thereof at Morocco: and by his memll he owns the plenipo to Morroco was accidentally added.”
The queries to which the above letter was the answer. 3 pages.
April 7. 48. Account of unappropriated moneys paid into the Exchequer from Michaelmas 1710 to 2 April 1714.
At the foot is:—“In obedience to her Mat's commands on an address of this Honoble House this accot is stated and humbly presented by me. W. L. 7 April 1714.” 4 pages.
April 7. 49. W. Bromley to the Lord High Treasurer. Sends by the Queen's command copy of a letter received by Mr Bridges relating to the subsidies to foreign Princes and States, and the arrears remaining due to foreign troops formerly in her Majesty's service. Dated Whitehall, 7 April 1714.
The copy named. 2 pages, quarto.
April 8. 50. Report of the Postmasters General (Frankland and Evelyn) to the Lord High Treasurer on the rates of postage for letters between this kingdom and the Island of Minorca, through France. Mons. Torcy, Postmaster General in France, agreed to their proposal, that the “port” of letters and packets to be conveyed to and from this kingdom and Minorca through France should be accounted for by this office to the Post Office of Paris, on the same foot as the port of letters to and from Great Britain and Turkey passing through France by way of Marseilles. Proposed in order to pay for the packet boat, which was to go every 14 days between Port Mahon and Marseilles, to receive of all letters and packets to be conveyed between this kingdom and Minorca through France the same rates of postage as were settled by Act of Parliament for letters and packets passing between this kingdom and Turkey by way of Marseilles; as also at Port Mahon, the further rate of one real plate for each single letter (somewhat above 6d.), two reals plate for each double letter, &c. Dated General Post Office, 8 April 1714.
Minuted:—“22 April 1714. Agreed. Wt signd.”
On another page is a copy of the “8th article of the treaty between the two post offices of Great Britain & France,” and the charge for the “port of letters to and from Turkey.”
Pinned to it is a receipt, signed Geo. Holme, for his allowance, given to Robert Cole, Esq., her Majesty's Agent and Consul General in Algiers. Dated 10 Aug. 1712. 4 pages.
April 8. 51. Report of Mr Auditor Harley to the Lord High Treasurer on Major John Webb's account of money received and paid for the fortifications at Gibraltar in the years 1706 and 1707. The principal officers of the Ordnance had reported that there were no muster rolls of the workmen produced, and that there were many other and great defects and irregularities in the accounts, viz.: 1st, great complaints had been made by the Earl of Galway as to the ill-condition Gibraltar was in, after all the expense about the fortifications there; 2ndly, great sums had been laid out in repairing houses there, pursuant to Col. Elliott's, the Governor's, direction, contrary to the intention of the Earl of Galway; 3dly, Major Webb's accounts were very irregular as to vouchers; 4thly, as to four of his accounts, Col. Bennett (who, as chief engineer, was to examine and sign them) acquainted the Officers of Ordnance that he always protested against them, but was forced by Col. Elliott to sign them. Submits whether the defects of muster rolls and receipts of daily workmen, of whom 100 or 120 appeared daily employed, might not be dispensed with on certain conditions. Gives a state of the account compared with the daily bills. This account was but a small part of what had been paid for the fortifications at Gibraltar, &c. - Dated 8 April 1714.
Minuted:—“25th Febry 1717/1718. Send an attested copy of this report to the Commrs of Accots of the Army.” 6 pages.
April 8. 52. Lord Lieut. of Ireland (Shrewsbury) to the Lord High Treasurer. Sends the petition of William Burgh, Esq., Accountant General of her Majesty's revenue, praying a consideration for his extraordinary services in balancing and stating the public accounts of the last session of Parliament. Had previously been allowed 300l. for like services. Dated Dublin Castle, 8 Apr. 1714.
The petition. 2 pages.
April 9. 53. Mr Robert Lowther to the Lord High Treasurer relative to the accounts, enclosed, of Charles Thomas, Esq., deceased, which he had directed the Committee of Public Accounts to settle. Had also directed Col. Berwick, her Majesty's Casual Receiver, to adjust Thomas's accounts which related to casual revenue. In obedience to her Majesty's commands would depart for England towards the end of the month. Dated Barbadoes, 9 Apr. 1714.
“Memd. Mr. Lowther was in England before this l~re was rec[eive]d, and there were no accots enclosed.” 2 pages.
April 9. 54. Report of the Comrs of Customs, Scotland, to the Lord High Treasurer on the memorial of the Duke of Athol, Earl of Mar, General Ross, and Alexander Grant, Esq., in behalf of themselves and other proprietors of the fir woods in Scotland. Garmouth and Findhorn (two of the places mentioned therein) were creeks belonging to the Port of Inverness, and though Ardmore, on the Firth of Tay, was not taken notice of by the Comrs appointed by the Court of Exchequer for settling the members and creeks of each port, yet that being also in the precinct of Inverness, near to the entrance of which river Port Mahomack lies (which is a creek of Inverness), they conceived that, at the time of shipping off naval stores at the last-mentioned place, the principal officers of Inverness might attend without charge to the revenue. Aberdeen, “Pearth,” and Dundee were ports where the necessary officers required by law for the above purposes constantly resided. “Invararey” and Bonna might be taken care of, the former by the officers of Campbeltoun, and the latter by those of Fort William, without increased charge. Dated Custom House, Edinburgh, 9 Apr. 1714.
Minuted:—“24 April 1714. My Lord has no objection.”
Again:—“Wt signd 4th June 1714.”
The memorial named and a list of naval officers desired to be appointed at the respective ports. 4 pages.
April 10. 55. A state of the deficiency upon the Act passed in the third year of her Majesty's reign for granting to her Majesty a further subsidy on wines and merchandises imported, commonly called the two-thirds subsidy, granted for four years from 8 March 1704 and continued for three years further. Dated 10 Apr. 1714.
Also “the 2/3 addl subsidy of tonne & poundage.” 3 pages.
April 10. 56. Report of Mr William Blathwayt to the Lord High Treasurer on the affairs of her Majesty's several plantations which his Lp was desirous should be put in such a method as to be able to support the whole charge of their governments. The American plantations of her Majesty were of two sorts: the one of proprieties or charter governments, the other of colonies under the immediate government of the Crown. Of the 1st were Carolina, Bahama Islands, Pennsylvania, the charter Governments of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the Massachusetts Bay in New England, the former having governors of their own nomination approved by the Crown, and the latter, of a mixed nature, having governors and other officers appointed by the Crown. The province of Maryland was “a propriety” appertaining to Lord Baltimore; but since the revolution was governed by governors appointed by the Crown. The colonies immediately depending upon the Crown were Barbadoes, the Leeward Islands, Jamaica, Virginia, Bermudas, New York, New Jersey, and New Hampshire. As to the revenues the charter Governments did not hold themselves accountable to the Queen, nor were they any charge to her Majesty. The revenues of the plantations, under the immediate direction of the Crown, were of two sorts, viz., the revenue granted to the Crown for the support of the government there, and accountable to her Majesty and her officers, as in Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands, where there was the duty of 4½ per cent. upon commodities exported from thence. The other revenues were raised by the respective Assemblies, as they judged occasion might require, whereof they rendered account only to themselves. He then gives particulars of the following places:—
Barbadoes.—The revenue from the duty of 4½ per cent. might yield in time of peace 8,000l. per ann., and the casual revenue did not exceed 200l. per ann. The Governor's salary was 2,000l. per ann.
Leeward Islands.—The 4½ per cent. was estimated at 3,000l. per ann. The Governor's salary, 1,200l. per ann.
Jamaica.—The revenues arose partly by quit-rents, but chiefly by duties laid by the general Assembly, all appropriated to the support of the Government, fortifications, &c. Salaries of Governor and other officers, 2,500l. The annual expense, 5,000l., borne without charge to her Majesty.
Virginia.—The settled revenue consisted of a duty on tobacco exported, on shipping trading thither, and “on persons imported,” and of quit-rents reserved to the Crown. The Governor's salary, 2,000l. Annual expense, 3,500l. It was self-supporting.
Maryland.—The quit-rents belonged to the lord proprietor and one moiety of 2s. per hogshead of — raised there. The other moiety was appropriated to the Government. The fines and forfeitures were of little value. It was self-supporting.
New York.—The ordinary standing revenue had been discontinued for seven years past. The annual expense was 4,500l. A revenue was raised for certain terms by the Assembly till 18 May 1709, since which the Governor and other officers had been obliged to receive such sums as the Assembly thought fit, but not equal to the allowance directed by her Majesty, and in a method derogatory to her Majesty's prerogative and authority there.
Connecticut.—A charter Government, and supported without any expense to the Queen.
Rhode Islands.—A similar colony.
Massachusetts Bay.—The ordinary expense, 10,000l. A charter Government supported by themselves, except that they were sometimes furnished with great guns and ammunition from hence.
New Hampshire.—Had small revenues, but sufficient to support itself, amounting to 1,500l., without charge to the Crown.
Bermudas.—The revenues to her Majesty consisted of 60 shares of land, valued at 5l. per share per ann., whereof 12 shares were applied to the Governor's salary, and the rest divided among the public officers. The profits from licences to fish for whales, valued at 100l. per ann., which were applied to the Governor's salary. 240l. per ann. were paid to him from the Exchequer, making his salary 400l. per ann.
Pennsylvania, New Castle, and Lower Counties.—Hitherto under the government of Mr Penn, self-supported. The proprietor by his grant of the Lower Counties from King James, when Duke of York, was accountable to the Crown for half the quit-rents and other profits from 24 Aug. 1682, computed at 6,200l., for which Mr Penn had been called upon; but as he was treating for the surrender of the property, there had been “no further prosecution.” On the surrender there would be an annual expense for a Governor, &c., and the Assemblies might refuse to make the allowance, as was the case at New York, and the expense to her Majesty would then be about 1,000l. per ann.
Carolina.—A proprietary Government, supported by themselves.
Bahama Islands.—Would be in the same case if resettled by the proprietors.
This was the state of her Majesty's plantations before the peace with France, and it would appear to his Lp that they were all self-supporting, excepting (1) Bermuda, where her Majesty might signify to the Council and Assembly that they should make up the full salary to their Governor, and (2nd) New York, for which a bill might be brought into Parliament for raising a revenue to defray the annual expense without charge to her Majesty, excepting also the places where forces or garrisons had to be maintained.
St Christopher's.—One half of the island had been added to her Majesty's territories in America by the treaty of peace. A fort or fortification would be at least required on the French side of the island.
Nova Scotia.—Her Majesty had now an undisputed right to Nova Scotia or “Accadie” (that country being almost uninhabited). A provision for the expense of the fort or garrison of Port Royal, or Annapolis, would doubtless be continued by Parliament for the protection of the fishery.
Newfoundland.—This island and Placentia had been ceded by the French, and there would be an annual expense for the fort and garrison, if not for some fortification on the east side of the island. The whole island was not otherwise capable of inhabitation, except by some few poor people near the sea, during the winter, for their “stages” and warehouses, the necessary expense for which Parliament might continue without any imposition on this important fishery, for which the western adventurers and others concerned had always expressed a great unwillingness.
Hudson's Bay.—This territory was now entirely in the Crown, and belonged to a company able to support itself without expense to her Majesty. Dated 10 April 1714. 9 pages.
April 10. 57. Report of the Comrs of Victualling to Mr Lowndes on the memorial of Mr Edward Hughes, respecting the non-acceptance of a bill of exchange drawn on them by Mr Alonso Vere, their agent at Gibraltar. Dated Victualling Office, 10 April 1714.
Also the memorial. 3 pages.
April 10. 58. Report of the same to the same on two letters, one from Mr Conduit, Commissary for the stores and provisions at Gibraltar, the other from Francis Gwyn, Esq., Secretary-at-War, relating to the victualling of the garrison there. Same date. 4½ pages.
April 10. 59. W. Bromley to Wm Lowndes, Esq. Signifies her Majesty's pleasure that he should prepare an account of all sums paid to the Highland Clans in North Britain since the year 1688, with the names of the respective persons to whom any such sums have been paid, and by whom, and that it be forthwith laid before the House of Commons. Dated Whitehall, 10 April 1714. 1 page.