|
April 1.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
50. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr, Winnington.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy, out of supplies anno 1737, of 58,921l. 10s. and 15,000l., according to his memorial of this day.
Same for 60l. to Mr. Edmund Jones for the use of Mr. Trevor Morgan, as royal bounty, out of the King's money in Mr. Lowther's hands. [Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 20.] |
| April 2. |
51. J. Scrope to the Commissioners respectively of Taxes, Customs, Excise, Hawkers land Pedlars, Hackney Coaches, Stamp duties, and Salt, and to the Postmaster General, for accounts of the gross and net produce of the duties, &c, under their respective managements, and appropriated to pay the principal and interest of the public debts, provided for by Parliament, for five years last past, distinguishing each year and duty, and to what part of the public debts each duty stands appropriated.
[Letter Book XIX. p. 437.] |
| April 5. |
52. Treasury warrant to the Auditor and other officers of the Receipt to set apart out of the Sinking Fund 11,894l. 9s. 9d., and to issue and apply same to make good the deficiency on the Plate Duty Fund to 1737, Lady Day, in accordance with the Act 6 Geo. I. the savings effected by the taking off of the drawback on hops exported to Ireland, amounting from 1733, Christmas, to 1735, Christmas, to 14,837l. 5s. 9d., and being therefore more than sufficient, in accordance with a clause of the said Act, to meet the whole deficiency as above.
Appending:—Certificates by Auditor Halifax of the income from the duty of 6d. per oz. on wrought plate 1734, Christmas, to 1737, Christmas (total, 25,545l. 10s. 3d.), of the annuities charged thereon (12,480l. per an.), and of the deficiency arising.
(b.) Same by Customs officials of the exports of hops to Ireland, 1733, Christmas, to 1735, Christmas, and of the saving on the drawbacks thereon. [Money Book XXXVIII. pp. 478–80.] |
| April 6. |
53. Treasury warrant approving Joseph Harris to be deputy to Hopton Haynes, Assay Master to the Mint.
Prefixing:—Said Hayne's memorial and recommendation. Has attended without intermission above 40 years in the service of the Mint, and 14 years of these as Assay Master to secure the standard of gold and silver moneys. The constant attendance in said office is so necessary for the service of the coinage and of the subject that one day's absence can seldom be dispensed with, Assays of Gold and Silver being continually receiving, working and delivering. “The business requires both skill and experience, so that your Lordship's memorialist could not upon enquiry find any person so well qualified as one Mr. Joseph Harris, of whose ability he has had experience, having employed him in the business about twelve months.” [Warrants not relating to Money XXV. p. 453.] |
| April 7. |
54. An account, certified by John Way, Fran. Capper, Tho. Sutton, John Philpott, John Cookson, Commissioners for Hackney Coaches and Chairs, of the gross and net produce of the revenue under their management for five years from 1731, midsummer, to 1736, midsummer, and how the same is appropriated. 1 sheet.
[Treasury Board Papers CCXCIV. No. 46.] |
| April 7. |
55. Royal warrant, countersigned by the Lords of the Treasury, to Thos. Foley and William Benson, Auditors of Imprests, to pass in the accounts of the Paymaster General of the Forces the sum of 1,290l. 18s. 8d., being payments for subsistence money made by him in advance from 1735, December 25, to 1735–6, January 23, and to the respective days of disbandment to the supernumerary disbanded men, who in accordance with the Royal order of 1735–6, January 14, were disbanded in accordance with a reduction of the Forces as follows, viz.:—Of ten privates out of every company in the three regiments of Foot Guards (1st regiment of Foot Guards, Coldstream regiment of same, and 3rd regiment of same), and of eleven privates out of every company of the eight marching regiments of foot in Great Britain (Major-General Barrell, Lieut.-General Tatton, Brigadiers Handasyd, Harrison, Montague, and Middleton, Lieut.-General Whetham, Lieut.-General Sabine).
Appending:—An account of the said subsistence money thus paid. [King's Warrant Book XXXII. pp. 328–330.] |
| April 7. |
56. Royal warrant, countersigned by the Lords of the Treasury, to Henry Pelham, Paymaster General of the Forces, to make out debentures for the pay of the eight regiments of Brigadier Cope, Col. Lanoe, the Earl of Effingham, Brigadier Howard, Col. Hamilton, Brigadier Hargrave, Col. Paget, Col. Cornwallis, complete according to their old numbers on the establishment of Great Britain in 1735 from 1735, December 25, to the respective days of their reduction, and from the respective days of their reduction to the respective days of their landing in Ireland, according to the numbers and pay of the Earl of Rothes's regiment of foot upon the establishment of Ireland (but now serving at Gibraltar), being English pay for Irish numbers, notwithstanding the want of establishments and muster rolls for the respective times above mentioned: the said regiments having come from Ireland in 1734, and having been ordered by Royal order of 1735–6, January 14, to be sent back to Ireland, and to be reduced to the numbers allowed on the Irish establishment. [King's Warrant Book XXXII. pp. 330–1.] |
| April 7. |
57. Petition to the Treasury from Thomas, Bishop of Salisbury. By several charters granted and continued to the Bishop and Church of Sarum they are entitled to such quantity of timber as shall be found necessary from time to time to support the Cathedral. The roof and other parts are now so ruinous that at a moderate estimate 1,500 loads of timber will be wanting to rebuild or repair same. Prays delivery of same accordingly.
Referred to the Surveyor General of Woods to consider, examine the charters, and report his opinion. [Reference Book X. p. 90.] |
| April 9. |
58. The Commissioners of Excise, London, to the Treasury, forwarding for the Treasury copy of account as in (a. infra, prepared for the House of Commons, in accordance with the order of the 21st ult. 1 page.
Appending:—(a.) An account of the gross produce yearly of the duties on Sweet Wines from 1697, April 25, to 1736, December 25, certified 1737, April 14, by Henry Needler, Accomptant General of Excise, and by the Excise Commissioners. (Total for the period for London and country, 28,632l. 16s. 7½d.) 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCXCIV. No. 47.] |
| April 9. |
59. The Commissioners for Stamps to the Treasury, dated from the Stamp Office, Lincoln's Inn, transmitting accounts as below, in accordance with the directions of the Treasury. 1 page.
Appending:—(a.) Account of the gross and net produce of the rates or duties on money given with Clerks and Apprentices, for five years, ended 1736, August 2, certified by Henry Montague, Register and Comptroller. 1 page.
(b.) Same of same of the several Stamp duties, detailed, for same period, certified by Alexander Barham, Pro-Comptroller. 1 sheet. [Ibid. No. 48.] |
April 14.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
60. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Dodington. Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy, out of supplies anno 1737, of 100,000l., for paying off His Majesty's ships, daily expected from Lisbon with Sir John Norris.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 21.] |
| April 14. |
61. Report to the Treasury from the Commissioners of Excise, London, forwarding copy of account (a.) infra, drawn in accordance with the order of the House of Commons of the 21st ult. 1 page.
Appending: (a.) An account dated 1737, April 14, and certified by Thos. Whitaker, Accomptant [Excise Office], and by the Excise Commissioners, of what informations have been laid before the Commissioners of Excise from the 25th April 1697 to Christmas 1736, for not paying duties on Sweet Wines; and of the penalties thereof. 6 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCXCV. No. 1.] |
| April 14. |
62. Same to same from John Conduitt, dated Mint Office, on the petition of John Hobbs, concerning the cutters and presses and other working tools of Mr. Wood. Since date of the report, as below, they have been received into the Mint, and the valuation appraises them at 34l. 5s. 6d. 1 page.
Appending:—(a.) Petition to the Treasury from John Hobbs, merchant. Having been unfortunately employed in the affair relating to the coinage of copper halfpence for Ireland, under the patent granted to Mr. Wood, divers of the working tools, prepared for that coinage at petitioner's expense, are still in his custody. Prays that they may be taken by the Mint, and an allowance made.
Minuted with Treasury order of reference to John Conduitt, dated 1733, June 12. 1 page.
(b.) Conduitt's report to the Treasury thereupon, dated Mint Office, 1733, June 16. 2 pages.
(c.) Valuation of said utensils, appraised by John Haley and Dan. Kemp, moneyers. 1 page. [Ibid. No. 3.] |
[After
April 15.] |
63. Memorial from the Levant Company to [the Customs Commissioners], concerning a previous memorial from themselves, the said Company, to the Treasury [of date 1736–7, February 24], relating to the lowering the duty on Smyrna raisins. Several gentlemen, traders to Valencia, having laid before the Treasury their thoughts (a.) on the said petition, crave to reply thereto. To confute the allegation of said gentlemen that Smyrna fruit generally sells for' more than Valencia, or that it is always preferred at an equal price, have obtained the attestation (b.) of several eminent unbiassed grocers. Have no objections to the Treasury representing to Parliament for the lowering of the duty on Valencia fruit so long as Smyrna fruit is lowered to the same duty. The growth of Valencia fruit, whether about 65,000 baskets as usual or 90,000 baskets, as happened last year, are to a trifle all consumed in His Majesty's dominions, there being no other principal market for them, and therefore lowering the duty on Smyrna cannot prevent their importation. “Your Honours can't forget the frequent application and trouble given you about emery stones thro' the monstrous heavy duty collected on them, and the necessity of bringing them from Smirna for want of fruit ballast, and it must occur to you that there has been scarce any fruit imported thence for some years, which, if it was of that superior goodness and esteemed with the people as those trades relate, wou'd not have been so long omitted, and we can further inform you the “Thames,” a very rich ship, daily expected from Smirna, brings none, notwithstanding she wanted ballast, and is forced to have stones with lead purposely in liew thereof.” 2 pages.
Appending:—(a.) Samuel Tucker, Solomon Merrett, and three others, traders to Alicante and in Denia fruit, to the Customs Commissioners, dated London, 17137, March 25: offering their observations, by way of report, on the memorial of the Turkey Company to the Treasury for the lowering of the duty on Smyrna raisins. Unless the duty on the raisins from Denia and other parts in the kingdom of Valencia are lowered in proportion it will be detrimental to every branch of trade carried on to that kingdom. “About 50 years ago a petition was presented by the traders to Malaga, requesting that the duties on raisins of the sun. made there might be lowered to those paid on Denia raisins, but was rejected on proof that the importations at Malaga from the British dominions did not exceed one-third of the exportations by the English merchants, whereas the exportations from Valencia were not one-third of the importations, and the same petition being repeated about 25 years since it was again rejected for the same reasons.” 4 pages.
(b.) Certificate, dated 1736–7, March 2, of 43 grocers, dealers in Smyrna and Denia raisins, concerning the little difference in prices of the said kinds and the equal quantity in the market. 1 page.
(c.) An account of the quantity of Smyrna raisins, imported annually for three years to 1724, December 25, and for three years to 1735, December 25, certified by John Oxenford, Assistant to the Inspector General, Custom House, London, 1737, April 15. 1 page. [Treasury Board Papers CCXCV. No. 6.] |
April 19.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
64. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Dodington, Sir George Oxenden, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces, out of supplies anno 1737, of 97,185l. for two months' subsistence to the Forces to 1737, June 24, according to his memorial of this day.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 22.] |
| April 21. |
65. Copy of the proceedings of the Privy Council at St. James's, on date hereof, in the presence of the King, on a report, detailed, from the Committee of the Council for Plantation affairs, concerning a report made by the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations,, and referred to the said Committee for consideration by an order of the King in Council of date 19 January last: said report from said Lords Commissioners being upon a representation of Mahomet, chief Sachem of the Mohegan Indians, setting forth the services to the English rendered by his ancestors and their tribe for 100 years, and complaining of the injuries received by them from His Majesty's subjects of Connecticut, who have unjustly deprived them of their lands, and reduced them to the necessity of deserting their native country for want of subsistence. A like complaint was made in 1703 by the then chief Sachem of the Mohegan Indians, and Queen Anne appointed a Commission of Investigation. Said Commission restored the Indians to several tracts of land, and condemned the Colony of Connecticut in costs. On the appeal of Sir Henry Ashurst, agent for said Colony, the order as to costs was reversed, and a fresh Commission of review was commanded by the said Queen to be issued, to determine the pretensions of the Indians to the said lands. As it does not appear whether such Commission was ever carried into effect the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations propose to the said Committee of Council for Plantation Affairs that a fresh Commission of review should be issued, and that in regard to the poverty of the present Sachem and his tribe the charge thereof should be defrayed by the Crown. On the instruction of said Committee the said Lords Commissioners have prepared a draft of such Commission. Said Committee approving thereof presented same to His Majesty, who approved thereof, and ordered accordingly concerning the expense of said Commission.
Endorsed:—With, extract from the Act of 27 Hy. VIII., cap. XI., concerning the Lord Chancellor's discretionary power of passing grants under the Great Seal without fees. 5 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCXCV. No. 9.] |
| [After April 21.] |
66. Petition to the King from Samuel Mason of the Province of Connecticut, between New England and New York, and Acquont, a Mohegan Indian of the said Province. Petitioners came to England in April 1736, together with Major John Mason, father of one of the petitioners, and Mahomet Weyanuma, one of the chiefs of said Indians, who are both dead of the small pox. Relate the substance of the complaint of said Indians against the encroachments of the inhabitants of said Province and of the previous Commission of 1704. The new Commission of enquiry ordered by the King has passed the office, and petitioners are ready to go over with it. Pray assistance to pay their debts, contracted during their long stay here in England, and for their passage back: said Mohegan Indians having been ever faithful to the English from their first settling there. 1¼ pages. [Ibid. No. 12.] |
April 26.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
67. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Dodington, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
The Salt Commissioners' report of March 17 ult. read on Richard Gildart's memorial for the erection and licensing of another rock salt refinery at Liverpool. “The matter requiring applicacon to Parliament, as well for power to licence the said new work, as to put the revenue upon a more equal foot with regard to the times limited for prompt payment, rock salt having a discount at the rate of ten per cent. per an. for twelve months, and white salt ten per cent. per an. for nine months my Lords will take further time to consider the same.”
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy, out of supplies 1737, of 50,000l. to pay wages to ships at Chatham, Sheerness and in the river, according to his memorial of the 21st instant.
Same for same to the Paymaster General of the Forces, out of same, of 70,470l. 4s. 3¼d., whereof 14,062l. 10s. for a quarter's subsidy to Denmark and 56,413l. 14s. 3¼d. to answer the sum voted for extraordinary service and expenses in the year 1735 and 1736, not till now provided for.
The Customs Commissioners to cause James Adderley to be instructed in the business of the Customs at the waterside, “so as he may be qualifyed for business as occasion shall offer.”
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List Revenues:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To Count Kinski, per Sir Clement Cotterell |
1,083 |
13 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Paxton |
2,750 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Band of Pensioners |
1,500 |
0 |
0 |
A letter to the Duchess of Buckingham, in answer to her proposition for renting the late Duke's estate and alum works at 1,200l. per an., and acquainting her Grace how the delay hath happened that the utensils belonging to the said works are not yet paid for, read and approved.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 23; Letter Book XIX. p. 439.] |
| April 28. |
68. The Commissioners of Taxes to the Treasury, enclosing (a.), concerning the House duties in Gloucestershire. Are of opinion considering the allegations therein that it would be of advantage to that branch of the public revenue to appoint an additional officer for that county at the salary of 50l. per an. 1 page.
Appending:—(a.) Report dated 1730, December 18, by James Underwood, one of the general riding Surveyors of House duties, on the proceedings of John Knight, Surveyor of said duties in Gloucestershire. In 1733 he surveyed 46 places in his division, and advanced the duties 26l. 9s. But there were 38l. 4s. Old Duty and 20l. New Duty taken off the parish assessments, so that he is sunk in his amount for that year by 10l. 14s. Old Duty and 7l. 5s. New Duty. Pursuant to an order from the Board of “Taxes Commissioners of 1734, July 16, to make a thorough survey of this division by December following, “this officer with his son and other assistance set to work, and surveyed 439 places, by which the duties were considerably advanced, for, notwithstanding there was taken of the parish assessments at the appeals the sum of 46l. 19s., yet this surveyor's up in his amount for that year 65l. 11s. in both duties.
“In the year 1735 it was thought of little purpose to survey, for most people that were advanced in the preceding year, being apprehensive of an additional tax of one shilling per window wou'd be laid upon all lights or windows, wherefore they reduced their numbers by stopping up, which sunk the Old Duty in this county, 65l. 4s., and the New Duty, 40l. 15s. … The reason why the duties sink so much in this county is the Justices' extraordinary way of acting therein, as well as in the city, where they will not allow of any shop lights or the windows in any warehouses or rooms employ'd in trade, nor maltins, cellers, brewhouses, bakehouses, &c, to pay; that together with void houses, the poverty of the inhabitants, stopping up lights, &c, hath sunk the duties since the year 1724, 250l. 17s., notwithstanding the care and diligence of this officer, who hath been and is an exceeding good Surveyor. … This county is too large for any one man to survey, as it ought to be done. It is about 60 miles in length, near 40 miles over, hath 27 market towns in it, there is 444 separate assessments brought in every year … the present amount of the duties in the county is 3,714l. a year.” 1½ pages. [[Treasury Board Papers CCXCV. No. 15.] |
| April. |
69. An account of the gross and net produce of the duty arising by licensing Hawkers and Pedlars from 1732, June 24, to 1736, June 24, and how the same is appropriated. 1 page.
[Ibid. No. 17.] |
