Chief Clerks c. 1694-1870

Chief Clerks c. 1694-1870

Provision was made for two Chief Clerks, sometimes known as 'First' Clerks, in the establishment of 1694, each with a salary of £200. (fn. 1) The number was reduced to one in 1696 on Burt's departure from office. The salary of his colleague, Fawler, was then increased to £250. It was further increased to £400 in 1703. (fn. 2) On Fawler's promotion to the position of Deputy Secretary in 1705, Burt returned to the office and succeeded him as Chief Clerk with a salary of £300 which was reduced to £200 at the peace of 1713. In 1715 it was increased to £400 which remained the salary of the Chief Clerk until 1783. (fn. 3)

Between 1728 and 1783 the office was not filled on a regular basis, appointments being made only when the Secretary was acting without the assistance of a joint Secretary, a Second Secretary or a Deputy Secretary: 1742-4, 1751-6 and 1763-4. At other times during this period the senior established Clerk received a salary of £200 as opposed to £400. When a Deputy Secretary was serving he apparently undertook the duties of the Chief Clerk. During the time that the post of Second Secretary was occupied (1746-51 and 1759-63) it appears that the senior established clerk had a rather greater measure of responsibility than he had at other times. (fn. 4)

In 1783 the office of Chief Clerk was established on a permanent basis with a basic salary of £200 together with fees and a variety of allowances. (fn. 5) In 1800 a consolidated salary of £800 was provided with an additional £150 as Receiver of Fees and Paymaster of Contingencies in time of war. (fn. 6) In 1807 the remuneration was fixed at £900 in time of peace and at £1000, together with the Paymaster's allowance of £150, in time of war. (fn. 7) In 1815 the war allowances were made permanent and the salary was fixed at £1150. (fn. 8) It was reduced to £1000 in 1832. (fn. 9) In 1867 provision was made for the salary to rise by annual increments of £50 to £1100. (fn. 10)