|
1738–9.
Jan. 1. |
1. J. Scrope to the Duke of Argyll, Master General of the Ordnance, Sir William Yonge, Secretary at War, Henry Pelham, Paymaster General of the Forces, and Josiah Burchett, Secretary of the Admiralty, respectively, for preparation of the estimates proper to be laid before the House of Commons for the ensuing session of Parliament for the Office of Ordnance, the Forces, and the Navy and Victualling, together with an accompt of the number of seamen borne and the number mustered 1737, Dec. 31, to 1738, Dec. 31.
[Letter Book XIX. p. 488.] |
Jan. 2.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
2. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Dodington, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Ordnance out of funds for the year 1738 of 20,000l. for services as in a letter of this day's date.
Same for same of the following out of the Civil List funds:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To the Judges and others payable with them |
6,582 |
10 |
0 |
|
To the late Queen's servants, 1738, Michaelmas quarter, and so much more as will pay Robert Sutton his salary as Gentleman Usher of the Privy Chamber to the late Queen, to same date |
5,103 |
2 |
2¼ |
|
To the Band of Pensioners, same quarter |
1,500 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Privy Purse |
3,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Usher of the Exchequer, 1738, Easter and Trinity terms |
1,336 |
2 |
3 |
Their Lordships reconsider a report from the Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to the Lords Committees of the Privy Council, dated 1738, June 21, on Henry McCullock's proposals for improving His Majesty's revenues and better regulating the rights of the Crown in His Majesty's Colonies on the continent of America. Mr. McCullock being called in and heard thereupon, their Lordships agree to his being appointed inspector for the purposes in the said papers contained at a salary of 600l. per annum, and 200l. per annum for clerks, payable out of such quit rents in North and South Carolina as shall be recovered and improved by his means.
Henry Tolcher, tide-surveyor of Plymouth, to be paid 200l. more on account of the prosecution of the “Swan” brigantine.
Audley Bowdler's petition referred to the Stamp Commissioners to state the sum reasonable to be allowed for incidents in further discharge of his debt to the Crown.
Order for Mr. Lowther to pay out of the King's money in his hands 19l. 6s. 8d. to Edwd. Bryant for his travelling charges and attendance on Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer at Houghton in Norfolk, 1738, November 5 to December 3, being 29 days at 13s. 4d. a day.
[Treasury Minute Book, XXVIII. pp. 106–7]. |
| Jan. 2. |
3. Treasury endorsement of a royal sign manual for the issue of 1,491l. 9s. 6d. to John Selwyn senior, treasurer to the late Queen, to pay the salaries, allowances, &c., on bills relating to Richmond Lodge, due 1738, Midsummer.
Appending:—An account of half a year's allowances to several servants belonging to Her late Majesty's Lodge at Richmond, which became due at Midsummer, 1738, and of half a year's rents due at the same time to several persons for houses and lands at Kew and Richmond, and also of several incidental bills of disbursements and taxes relating to said Lodge due at the same time.
[King's Warrant Book XXXIII. pp. 188–9.] |
Jan. 4.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
4. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Dodington, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle.
The report of the Board of Works of the 2nd instant read concerning a new way proposed to be made through a coffee house to the Court of Requests. Their Lordships cannot advise the King to be at the expense of 1,900l. for same, and require an estimate from said Board for making the present way into said Court through said coffee house more decent and commodious.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy out of funds anno 1738, to wit in 3 % annuities, of 10,000l. for Greenwich Hospital.
The Attorney General's report of Dec. 22 last on John Lee's petition concerning the estate of Samuel Lee “is to be put into Mr. Edward Walpole's hands for the Duke of Devonshire to peruse before my Lords determine thereupon.”
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 108; Letter Book XIX. p. 489.] |
Jan. 9.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
5. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Dodington, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle.
Order for the issue to the Cofferer of the Household of 6,000l. for imprests, as by his memorial, for 1738 Michaelmas quarter.
Same for the issue of salaries for same quarter to the Gentlemen and Grooms of the Bedchamber.
Same for a warrant for the issue of 300l. to Mr. Joshua Sharpe for the further defraying the expenses of the Commission issued for inquiring into the fees of Courts [of Justice].
Same for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy out of funds anno 1738 of 12,500l. for services as in his memorial of the 8th instant, whereof 500l. is for 1738 Xmas quarter to Sir Charles Wager on his additional salary of 2,000l. per annum, and meant to be made good again to the public funds out of moneys arising by the sale of old stores.
Same for Mr. Lowther to pay out of the King's money in his hands 1,008l. 6s. 8d. to Mr. Walthoe for printing work and other disbursements for His Majesty's service, to 1738, Michaelmas.
Same for same to pay out of same 128l. 4s. 0d. to Mr. John Potter in satisfaction of a bill of fees, &c., paid for passing Madam de Walmoden's patent for 3,000l. per annum on the establishment of Ireland.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 109. |
| Jan. 11. |
6. Estimates of the charge of the Navy, Ordnance and Land Forces for the service of the year 1739, “so far as they have been yet presented to the Treasury.” 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCC. No. 2.] |
| Jan. 19. |
7. Report to the King from the Commissioners and Trustees for Improving Fisheries and Manufactures in Scotland. The regular sum destined for executing the general plan for Improvements for the year ended Xmas last was 4,000l., viz., 2,000l. annuity as by the Act 5 Geo. I., and 2,000l. interest of 40,000l. lodged with the Royal Bank of Scotland. Out of this the Trustees have issued:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
For the Fishery |
655 |
17 |
0 |
|
For the linen manufacture |
2,055 |
0 |
0 |
|
For encouraging the manufacture of coarse wool |
690 |
0 |
0 |
|
— |
|
£3,400 |
17 |
0 |
The success of the herring fishery has been far short of that of last year, viz., 10,201¾ barrels as against 31,752¼. The 3 bushes encouraged at the public expense fished with the like ill success, and the Dutch bushes shared in the general calamity. After the proper herring fishing season was over some winter shoals of spent herrings came upon the coast. But as the quality of the fish was bad the Trustees gave no countenance to the curing of them, to avoid any discredit on the coast fishing, which when the shoals of herrings come on seasonably is fit for merchants in hot climates where the herrings caught in deep water cannot be serviceable for any time. Judgment has been obtained against some persons on the north-west coast who have been guilty of many oppressive and illegal exactions on the herring fishers. “Notwithstanding the repeated efforts your Trustees have made to discover a fishery of cod and ling upon the coasts of the north-west Isles of this country, which in former times was much talked of and continues still to be believed practicable, yet they have not been able hitherto to receive any satisfaction on that subject.” Those coasts abound with multitudes of noble harbours, and hearing that Admiralty orders are being given to survey and lay down that coast, have agreed with Lauchlan McLean, a native of those Isles, to search among the several banks in those seas where cod and ling are said to have been caught formerly in plenty.
The linen manufacture prospers, the quality of the cloth improved, the demand increased. In the year ended Xmas last the quantity of cloth made and stamped for sale was 4,666,0115\8, which is 55,2291/8 yards short of last year. But as this shortcoming arises in the low priced cloth, and as there is a considerable increase in the fine the real value of the whole is greater than that of last year. The estimate does not include cloth made for private use. This item must be very considerable “because all the Gentlemen of this country who at Your Majesty's most auspicious accession to the throne made use of linen brought from Holland wear now nothing but home made cloth.” The principal cause why the making of linen cloth for sale is not more rapidly extended, notwithstanding the addition of 22 journeymen weavers per annum trained by foreign masters, is that very great quantities of linen yarn are bought up every year in Scotland to be wrought up with cotton and other ways in England insomuch that linen yarn costing, two or three years since, 2/4, now costs 2/7 or 2/8. But for the advantage which England derives from this, and its evident effect in propagating spinning in Scotland, the Trustees would feel inclined to ask for legislative remedy against this inconveniency. Another cause is that considerable quantities of the yarn are converted into thread. Indeed the thread manufacture of this country gains considerable reputation. Propose to extend spinning, as a remedy, and especially in the poorest parts of the country by offering small prizes at each station where they are authorised to place a school. Propose to set up 4 such stations. With regard to bleaching, Andrew and William Grays have been financially assisted to enlarge their whitening field, and in return have lodged with the Trustees the Journals of their proceedings in the practice of bleaching for 3 years past, and are instructing such masters or managers as have been recommended to them. Expect therefore to gain a knowledge of the inexpensive manner of whitening low priced cloth. To encourage the manufacture of low priced cloth have distributed about the country samples of foreign low priced linen cloth now most in demand, so that they can be copied or imitated.
To encourage flax raising and dressing at home propose to add 12 more young men to the 12 already being instructed by a skilful foreign flax dresser, so as to settle them at stations appointed in different parts of the country, to instruct the farmers in raising and to assist them in dressing flax. An undertaking has been set on foot for making tape in Scotland; for this, propose to indemnify the undertaker to an amount not exceeding 36l. The cambric manufacture stands where it did last year. The weavers are better supplied with yarn, and their cloth is better and more in demand. In order to extend the manufacture pray leave to carry out the recommendation of last year of putting expert linen weavers at work on the cambric loom under the direction of foreign weavers.
As the melancholy prospect of the decrease of the Excise as well as of the duty on malt continues, owing to the extravagant use of smuggled tea, find themselves compelled to be very sparing in proportion for any new expense out of savings. Detail the said proposed expenses, in all 795l. 10s. 0d. out of a saving of 1,778l. 17s. 10d. in their cashier's hand, and append accounts relating to both the annual plan for 1738 and to the extra expense out of savings.
Endorsed: 31 May, 1789, warrant signed. 19 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCC. No. 4.] |
| Jan. 19. |
8. Treasury warrant to the King's Remembrancer in the Exchequer for the preparation of a Commission to pass the seal of the Exchequer Court in the terms of a recited draft commission in the form of royal letters patent by warrant of the Treasury Lords to the officers, detailed, of the town of Lancaster and ports of Chester and Liverpool, to set out a quay in the port of Lancaster by sufficient mark limits and bounds or other descriptions at the cost of the merchants praying same: all proceedings herein being certified into the Exchequer.
[Customs Book XIV. pp. 337–341.] |
Jan. 23.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
9. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Dodington, Lord Sundon Mr. Winnington, Mr. Earle.
The Attorney General's report on Thomas World's petition concerning his mortgage on estates of the late Col. Negus, to be transmitted to Mr. Paxton to certify the value of estates so mortgaged and whether found by inquisition, staying proceedings meanwhile.
“Write to the Sub Governor and Deputy Governor of the South Sea Company to order the Accountant General to search the books from the establishment of that Company and to certify the stock, if any, belonging to the public in lieu of securities subscribed or otherwise by any of the public offices.”
Orders for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To the Treasurer of the Chamber for 1738 Midsummer quarter |
4,313 |
5 |
1 |
|
Same, more for messengers' bills for 6 months to same time |
1987 |
1 |
8 |
|
To Mr. Keene |
758 |
15 |
0 |
|
To Earl Waldegrave |
1,250 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Thomas Lowther |
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Poyntz for His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland |
1,021 |
10 |
4 |
Same for the issue to Mr. Stewart of 100l. for Mr. Fisher for 1738 Xmas quarter on his pension.
Their Lordships agree to a report from the Board of Works for allowing 80l. to Mr. Robinson for keeping and repairing a passage leading by his coffee house to the Court of Requests. The Board for the future are to make those repairs when found necessary.
Samuel Clowes, son of Peter Clowes, a tidesman, killed in the execution of his office, is to succeed to the first vacancy of a watchman or tidesman, London port.
Thomas Phillips, of Cwmgwili, to be surveyor of house duties in Carmarthenshire loco Thomas Jones, deceased.
The Customs Commissioners' report of 1737–8, Feb. 3, read on the petition of Micajah Perry and the executors of William Dawkins, late of London, merchant. Their Lordships order all further prosecution against them to cease.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy, out of contributions for annuities at 3 % on the Sinking Fund, of 2,000l. for bills of exchange on the Office for Sick and Hurt Seamen.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 111; Letter Book XIX. p. 493.] |
| Jan. 24. |
10. J. Scrope to the Sub Governor and Deputy Governor of the South Sea Company to give order to the Accomptant General or other officer of the South Sea Company, whose province it may be, to inspect the books of said Company from the first establishment thereof and to certify the Treasury of the sums, if any, which shall appear thereby to belong to the public as having been subscribed into the said Stock by officers of the crown for the public service and which yet remain unassigned or transferred thereto.
[Letter Book XIX. p. 491.] |
11. Same to the Commissaries for settling a new tariff for the Netherlands, transmitting to them for reference the memorial of Onslow Burrish, appointed Secretary to said Commissaries in 1731; same being for a reward for his services in that matter from 1731 to 1736.
[Ibid. p. 492.] |
[after
Jan. 24] |
12. Memorial to the Treasury from the Bank of England signed by Delillers Carbonnel, deputy Governor, praying payment of the premiums for the quarter 1738, October 24, to 1738–9, January 24, in accordance with the contract between the Treasury and the Bank for circulating Exchequer bills: said premiums amounting to 19,985l. 9s. 3d. “which amount includes 92 days' premium for such bills only as were continually in circulation during that whole time, but for a less time for all such as were created or made forth within the same 92 days' space, such having been computed according to and from the several dates or times of creating or making forth the same bills respectively and to and for the said 24th day of January, and no otherwise.” 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCC. No. 5.] |
