|
Nov. 3.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
160. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Earle.
A memorial read from the [Westminster] Bridge Commissioners for a grant of other buildings and grounds belonging to the Crown than those now preparing to be granted to them. Said memorial being in general terms, ordered that they deliver in a memorial specifying the particulars and parcels of what they ask from the Crown, and that they lay the Surveyor General's report to them before my Lords.
A letter from Lord Harrington to the Treasury read, enclosing one from Monsr. Wassenberg, complaining of the detention of a Swedish ship at Plymouth by the Customs officers. To be sent to the Customs Commissioners to examine.
The Board of Works to attend Thursday next.
Mr. Gore's memorial for interest at the rate of 3½ per cent. on 75,000l. advanced to the [Deputy] Paymaster of the Forces in Holland from the time of its being advanced to the time of its being repaid, read and agreed to. A warrant ordered to the Paymaster of the Forces for that purpose.
General Oglethorpe's bills, amounting to 1,911l. 10s. 0d., particularised in Mr. Verelst's memorial now read, are to be paid by the Paymaster of the Forces, and made part of the 200,000l. granted anno 1740 for extras of the war.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 380; Letter Book XX. p. 19; Customs Book XV. p. 176.] |
| Nov. 5. |
161. Petition to the Treasury from Capt. John Cooper, late commander of the “Townshend” packet boat. Sets forth that being stationed by the Postmaster General between Gibraltar and Lisbon, he was sent by Lord Tyrawley with despatches to England, when, being becalmed, he fell in with a Spanish privateer of 20 guns, six pounders, 180 men and 300 small arms, whom he engaged and fought 7 hours, killed 5 and wounded 16 men, Cooper having no more than 10 guns, two pounders, and 21 men, 3 of whom with his gunner hid themselves during the engagement. At last, having 2 men killed and 7 wounded, his ship almost beaten to pieces and ready to sink, he was forced to strike, having first sunk his despatches. To the time he made his escape was a prisoner in Spain 10 months, and at great expense on his own account and to prevent his crew from entering into Spanish service. Said expense with loss of his effects comes to 490l. Prays payment of same.
Referred:—To the Postmaster General.
[Reference Book X. p. 195.] |
| Nov. 6. |
162. The principal officers of the Board of Ordnance to the Treasury, enclosing (a) infra in accordance with John Scrope's letter of the 27th ult. 1 page.
Appending:—An account of the extraordinary expenses incurred by the Office of Ordnance upon account of the expeditions in America, of what has been received and what remains due to be paid under that head to 1741, Dec. 31 (total expense 109,024l. 14s. 5d. received in part thereof 58,563l. 19s. 3d.). The account concludes with the following
Memorandum: “The Board have received a warrant from the Lords Justices, dated 29 Sept last, directing them to order hutts and an hospital to be built for the land forces at Jamaica, and to insert the charge in the next estimate to be laid before the parliament. At present about 1,000l. worth of nails, spikes, and tools are provided and sent; the timber is to be provided there or fetched from New England. The expense is uncertain, but it is believed will not fall short of 10,000l.” 1¼ pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCVI. No. 14.] |
| Nov. 8. |
163. Representation to the Treasury from Henry McCulloh, Commissioner for supervising, inspecting and controlling His Majesty's revenues and grants of land in the Province of South Carolina. On his arrival in the said province, in the execution of his commission, found to his surprise that the members of the Council and all the other officers of the Crown (the Deputy Auditor excepted) were the only persons to be contended with. The members of the Commons House of Assembly on several occasions showed the greatest disposition to comply with their duty in the forming of a rent roll bill, and the establishing of proper rules and orders for the settlement of the Province. In order to this the Assembly was then enquiring into the grievances of the settlers in the township of Williamsburg, where many of the poor settlers were defrauded of their lands by several members of the Council and their friends, who had procured grants for the lands within the townships from the late Governors Johnson and Broughton in direct opposition to His Majesty's 43rd instruction. In 1739 the Assembly (sensible of the great danger to the province from their domestic enemies (the negroes), and that this proceeded wholly from the unwarrantable and irregular methods taken by the Governor and Council in the granting of lands) appointed a committee to consider of the most effectual means of relieving the people about Stono from the danger arising from domestic enemies, and another committee for means to prevent such dangers throughout the Province. The committee reported that from the late unhappy accident at Stono it appeared absolutely necessary to get a sufficient number of white persons into this province, and, therefore recommended a bill to the following effect, that every person owning slaves should provide an able white man for the militia of the province for every 10 male slaves above the age of 12. Similarly one such man for the militia for every 2,000 acres above 4,000 acres, and for every 1,000 acres above 20,000 acres owned or claimed. The bill was brought in 1739, Novr. 27, passed and sent up. The members of the Council being greatly concerned in the engrossment of lands, obstructed it in the Upper House.
Details his own proceedings since his first arrival in South Carolina, and his quarrel with the Governor and Council, many of the latter being parties to most of the frauds committed with regard to lands. Gives on account of Governor Glenn's intrigues against him. Has given instructions to Mr. Hammerton, who acts as Receiver General of the quit rents, and also as Secretary of the Province, repeated orders to make out a state of the arrears of quit rents due to His Majesty to 1740, March 25, a copy of his receipts and a list of all warrants and grants issued since 1730. Cannot get him to comply therewith, and does not expect that he will, feeling sure that he is in arrears with the Crown at least 1,500l. sterling. From his books Hammerton appears to be indebted to the Crown up to 1738, March 25, in 1,283l. 5s. 11d. proc[lamation] money. He has since credited himself with several sums paid as he alleges, but for which vouchers are not forthcoming, in particular one item of 539l. 5s. 11d. proc: money, alleged to have been paid to the Attorney General. On enquiry the Attorney General said he had never received such sum, but that Hammerton had engaged to pay him interest for the arrears of his salary till such time as it was paid up. Gives reasons for suspecting that Hammerton's accounts are not straight. Hammerton complains that the rent roll delivered to him by the Deputy Auditor is very irregular. This is due to the Auditor's not having it in his power to make out a list of mesne conveyances made by the original grantees of the Crown, and where any such have been entered in the Auditor's office, the latter has always added them to the rent roll without making a double entry. Has taken provision for the remedying of this defect. “The only method by which I could form a judgement of the quit rents of the Crown in South Carolina was by examining into the Provincial Treasurer's accounts of the land tax; and by that it appears that there are 2,496,000 acres of land returned, upon which the land tax is paid; and upon the best computation I could make, allowing for the different quit rents under the late Lords Proprietors and under the Crown, the quit rents will amount to about 2,700l. proc: money per annum, exclusive of the lands granted within the townships, which by the year 1747 will amount to at least 700l. more.” This could be regularly collected if only Hammerton were removed.
Further criticises and condemns the method observed in the return of the minutes of Council and Assembly, as making it impossible for the Board of Trade to form a right judgment of what is done in the Plantations, and still more the habit of legislating without regard to a suspensory clause by craftily promoting double and mutually contradictory legislation. “From this cause it proceeds that there have been so many changes in the paper bills of currency in America.”
Endorsed:—1742, August 24. “Read.” 7 pages.
Appending:—(a) Copy of proposals made by said Henry McCulloh, together with the report of the committee of the whole House of Assembly thereon as agreed to by said House; all concerning the registering and entering memorials of titles to lands, the taking out of new grants where titles are not producible, the proper scheduling of lands held, the settlement of white men in a certain proportion to the land held by patent or grant, &c. 4 pages.
(b) Copy of said McCulloh's letter to the Speaker of the House of Assembly of South Carolina of date 1740–1, March 3. 1½ pages.
(c) A copy of said McCulloh's various letters of instruction to said John Hammerton, extending from 1740–1, March 21, to 1741, August 18, and of same to James St. John, Surveyor General of His Majesty's lands in the province of South Carolina, of date 1470–1, March 21. 2½ pages.
(d) An extract from the minute book of the proceedings and resolutions of the Council of South Carolina, 1741, April 3, relating to said McCulloh's letter of instruction to said James St. John as in (c) supra. 2 pages.
(e) Said McCulloh's representation as presented to William Bull, Lieutenant-Governor of South Carolina, in reply to the proceedings and resolutions of the Council ut supra in (d).
Together with a declinatory plea of said McCulloh to the jurisdiction of the said Council, he being responsible in the execution of his office only to His Majesty. 2 pages.
(f) Form of a rent roll as delivered by said McCulloh to the Deputy Auditor of South Carolina for the latter's instruction. 2 pages.
(g) A similar form prescribing or illustrating the method to be observed by the Deputy Auditor and Secretary, South Carolina, in making out a particular state of the present possessors of lands there, in right of grants, patents or warrants. 1 page.
(h) Observations on the heads of a bill proposed by said McCulloh to the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina in Council, to be recommended to the consideration of the Commons House of Assembly of that Province. 5 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCVI. No. 15.] |
Nov. 9.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
164. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Earle.
The Board of Works called in and heard in relation to paving the Palace Yard before the new Houses [of Parliament meet]. My Lords order the paving to be done by said Board.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List funds:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To the Privy Purse for the month of November last |
3,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Band of Pensioners |
1,500 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Treasurer of the Chambers for messengers |
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
George Allam to be waiter and searcher at Burnham in Maldon port, loco John Quilter, resigned.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 381.] |
| Nov. 9. |
165. Weekly papers or certificates of the receipts and payments on account of the duties on salt duties (viz. … duty on foreign salt commencing 1694, March 25, and salt duties continued from 1735, March 25), certified by M. Cardonnel, Accomptant, and Geo. Brown, Deputy Comptroller of said duties: all for the respective and several weeks as follow:—(a) 1741, July 13–20; (b) July 27–August 3; (c) August 24–31; (d) October 19–26; (e) November 2–9. 5 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCVI. No. 16.] |
| Nov. 10. |
166. Copy of an order made by a Committee of the Privy Council, Whitehall, on a report made by the Officers of the Mint for ascertaining the rates and proportions at which all foreign gold coins shall be accounted, received, taken, or paid in any of His Majesty's colonies or plantations in America, together with a report made thereupon by the Treasury Lords. “The Committee observing that amongst the different species of foreign gold coins current in the Plantations, set forth in the table annexed, some of them have obtained a currency in this kingdom, and do usually pass in payments here for more than their intrinsic value according to the assays made thereof by the officers of the Mint,” therefore refer the matter to the consideration of the Treasury for their opinion thereon, before the Committee advises His Majesty to issue his royal proclamation for ascertaining the value of the said species of foreign gold coins in the Plantations. 1 page.
Appending:—(a) A table, exactly as under date Feb. 10, supra p. 444, showing the assay or fineness, weight per piece, sterling value per piece, currency value per piece, sterling value per oz., and currency value per oz. of the various denominations of French, Portuguese, and Spanish gold coins, which it is proposed to be ascertained or fixed as the ratio or proportion by which said gold coins shall be received and paid, either by tale or ounce, in His Majesty's colonies in America. 1 sheet.
[Ibid. No. 17.] |
| Nov. 10. |
167. Treasury warrant to Nicholas Paxton to pay the various costs and fees, detailed, attending the obtaining a new commission under the Great Seal for determining some disputes between the Mohegan Indians and the Colony of Connecticut.
Prefixing:—Report to the Treasury from Nicholas Paxton, dated 1741, July 24, on the particulars of the accompt of said costs as endorsed on the petition of John and Samuel Mason concerning same.
[Money Book XL. pp. 417–8.] |
Nov. 18.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
168. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Earle, Mr. Treby, Mr. Clutterbuck.
Mr. Lowther to pay out of the King's money in his hands 981l. 13s. 4d. to Mr. Walthoe for printing work delivered to 1740–1, March 24.
A memorial read from the Commissioners for Westminster Bridge. Ordered that they give in memorials of each particular [of the lands required], describing in whose possession they are, so that they may be referred to the Surveyor General of Crown Lands to consider of and to pass the proper offices in due form.
A report from the Attorney and Solicitor General read on a memorial from the Duke of Richmond and Mr. Brudenel [concerning the estate of William Radcliffe ut infra p. 508]. Ordered that the Attorney General take an inquisition for finding the King's title. The Trustees of Greenwich Hospital may have notice thereof that they may attend the inquisition to know if they have any title and what.
“The Queen of Hungary's money is to be taken in bills of exchange payable at Amsterdam.”
Order for the issue out of funds 1741 of 156,051l. 4s. 2½d. to the Paymaster of the Forces to complete all the services under his care of payment to 1741, Dec. 24, as by his memorial of the 10th instant.
Same for same out of the Civil List funds of 10,000l. to the late Cofferer of the Household towards clearing the debt in that office in the quarter ended 1741, Lady Day.
Same for a warrant to the Auditors of Imprests to allow from time to time upon the Paymaster General's accounts 3l. a day for a Deputy Paymaster of the Forces in the West Indies, and 20s. a day for his assistant: same being upon a memorial from the Paymaster General in that behalf.
Mr. Lowther to pay out of the King's money in his hands 20 guineas to Mr. Mason as of His Majesty's bounty.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 382–3; Letter Book XX. p. 21.] |
| Nov. 20. |
169. Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to observe an Order in Council as below.
Prefixing:—Order of the King in Council, dated St. James's 1741, November 19, permitting the free exportation of all sorts of corn, grain, meal, malt, flour, bread, biscuit and starch, excepting beans and oats, notwithstanding the prohibition enacted by the act of last session, the price of most sorts of grain having greatly fallen by reason of the plentiful harvest last summer, and it being judged beneficial to the trade and navigation of the kingdom to permit said exportation. The Treasury, the Admiralty and the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports to give the necessary directions herein.
[Customs Book XV. p. 178; North Britain Book XIII. p. 205.] |
| Nov. 24. |
170. Petition to the Treasury from Joseph Browning, contractor for supplying the Navy with slop clothes. In time of peace was allowed an imprest of 5,000l., but now in this time of war a capital of not less than 40,000l. is absolutely necessary for carrying on the contract. Therefore prays a very large imprest.
Referred:—To the principal officers and Commissioners of the Navy.
[Reference Book X. p. 195.] |
| Nov. 24. |
171. Treasury warrant to Sir Dudley Ryder, Attorney General, for instructions to the Clerk of the Petty Bag for a commission to Thomas Wood, of Falloden, and 4 others, detailed, for an inquisition into the estates of William Radcliffe, deceased, uncle of the late James, Earl of Derwentwater, with power to seize same into His Majesty's hands if found to be escheated as is represented: the Attorney General, if he thinks fit, to give the Directors of Greenwich Hospital notice hereof.
Prefixing:—Report to the Treasury from the Attorney and Solicitor General on the memorial of the Duke of Richmond and James Brudenell, said report detailing the circumstances attending the title to said estates, &c., and the possible claimants among the descendents, detailed, of Francis, 1st Earl of Derwentwater.
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVII. pp. 3–7.] |
Nov. 24.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
172. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Treby, Mr. Clutterbuck, Mr. Earle.
A report from the Customs Commissioners of June 25th last, read on the petition of Richard Thompson, of Hull, merchant, for the King's share of a forfeiture of 659l. 4s. 0d. for importing spices from Holland without licence. My Lords agree thereto considering the hardship of the petitioner's case. The necessary warrant to be prepared either to non pros the information as to the King's part or to enter satisfaction for same on record.
“Issue to the Mrs Howards [Misses Howard] out of the late King's arrears, now in the Exchequer, the sums due to them on their pensions payable at the Pension Office, said to be 138l. 9s. 3½d.”
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues: |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To the Treasurer of the Chamber for the established allowances, 1741, Lady Day quarter |
6,093 |
4 |
11 |
|
To Co. de Truchses, Prussian Minister, by Sir Clement Cotterell |
384 |
11 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Ellis, [royal] bounty |
850 |
11 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Reid for transporting felons |
720 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Stewart for half year's pensions, payable to the Lord Almoner at Michaelmas last |
450 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Treasurer of the Chamber for daily alms and poor at the gate, 1741, Michaelmas quarter |
179 |
15 |
0 |
Same for same out of funds 1741, of 50,000l. to the Treasurer of the Ordnance, being 9,225l. 3s. 7d. to complete the grant for land services, 1741, and 40,774l. 16s. 5d. in part of 76,071l. 1s. 4d., for services incurred and not provided for by Parliament.
A memorial read from Mr. Revell, representing the loss of several ships laden with provisions for Gibraltar, by being taken by the enemy in their passage thither, and that by such accidents it would be impossible in time of war to supply the said garrison entirely at all times with English provisions, according to his contract. “My Lords thereupon think fitt to indempnify Mr. Revell, notwithstanding his contract, for supplying the said garrison with Irish provisions instead of English, to the amount of the quantity laden for Gibraltar on the several ships so taken.”
My Lords on a second consideration of this case order the minute to be as in the margin [viz. as follows] “My Lords thereupon think fit during the warr to indemnify Mr. Revell, notwithstanding his contract, for supplying the said garrison with other provisions instead of English, provided they are of equal goodness with those of Great Britain.”
A petition read from James Dyore, merchant, for 914l. 10s. 6d., owing to Moses Beranger, a debtor to the Crown, from the estates of Sir Stephen Evance and William Hales, bankrupts, and now in the hands of Mr. Gibson, he having an assignment thereof from Beranger for a valuable consideration. To be transmitted to Mr. Paxton for the Attorney General's opinion thereon. Paxton also to give my Lords an account of the proceedings against Beranger towards recovering the great debt owing by him to the Crown, and what has been the effect thereof.
The Customs Commissioners' report of the 20th instant read on Stephen Scott's petition for his charges in prosecuting the “constant” from Riga under the Navigation Laws. It appearing that the said prosecution was carried on contrary to the advice of the said Commissioners, his petition is rejected.
Christopher Clayton to be Inspector of the delivery of all unrated East India goods, loco John English, who is to be superseded. Charles Cassleton, a baronet's son, now a tidesman in the superior list, to succeed Richard Strong, a tide surveyor, London port. John Simonds to be preferred to the superior list.
Lord Glenorchy's petition for a grant of the mines and minerals within his own grounds in Scotland [a discovery of a lead mine in them having been recently made], read and referred to the Barons of the Exchequer, Scotland, to consider and report with the draft of a proper charter for that purpose if deemed reasonable.
A petition of Richard Hornby, of Sunderland, mariner, for delivery of a ship under seizure for having tea on board, read and referred to the Customs Commissioners.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 384–6; Letter Book XX. p. 23: North Britain Book, XIII. p. 201.] |
