Minute Book: December 1697 | British History Online

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 13, 1697-1698. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1933.

Citation:

'Minute Book: December 1697', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 13, 1697-1698, ed. William A Shaw( London, 1933), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol13/pp42-50 [accessed 23 November 2024].

December 1697



Dec. 1, forenoon.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	[Write] to Mr. Sheppard to be here on Friday morning.
	The Victuallers [attend]. Their papers are read.
	The Trustees for Exchequer Bills [attend] and Mr. Samuell Sheppard. Sheppard says he had 1000l. Bills of Mr. Burton in part of a great sum he owed him. Burton told him they were made specie Bills but desired they might not be demanded of the Trustees but sunk on some of the funds [so] that they might not be abroad. He took his pen and dashed out what made them specie Bills (having occasion to make some payments) and so paid them out again.
	Abbot: these Bills were paid to Maryot 1st September by the Trustees. And there were more endorsements to make them specie Bills after that time: and he Sheppard made these un-specie Bills again.
	He [Sheppard] says he did not blot them so [completely] but they may be read again: he paid them to six or seven several people: and that Burton told him they were wrong endorsed.
	The Trustees say they are not come into the revenue again.
	He says there were just the full 1000l. exactly: that he never kept any [note of the] number: he has so many it would require a clerk.
	Herne says that the 1000l. Bills had been paid to Maryot by the Trustees upon Mr. Burton's false endorsements and they found so by their books.
	[Order for] 10000l. [to the Navy Treasurer] in new Exchequer Bills to be issued for wages.
	[Order for] 500l. out of brewers' fines or out of any other disposeable money [to be issued to William Lowndes] for secret service. (Ibid. p. 66).
eodem die, afternoon. Kensington.	Present: the King; all the five Treasury Lords.
	The paper containing the demands of the Ordnance is read. It is 26000l. for sea service and 78000l. for land service.
	As also the memorial of the Transport Office demanding 32048l. 15s. 2d.
	[As also] the Victuallers' memorial of this day's date craving money for several occasions.
	The Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwayt come in. His lordship presents the memorial according to which the present subsistence [for the Forces] amounts to 8199l. 13s. 3d. per week.
	Ordered 8199l. 13s. 3d. for 7 days' subsistence; to be paid out of loans on the Exchequer in general in Exchequer Bills.
	[Likewise] 1227l. 2s. 0d. for one week's subsistence for the four Regiments ordered to be broke, who have been subsisted to the 4th inst: to be paid out of the like.
	[Likewise] 272l. for the Kings bounty for the reduced men of the two Regiments of Webb and Hairo (Haire) coming from Flanders: to be paid out of the like.
	Mr. Blathwayt presents a paper of demands [for the Forces] abroad, which is read. It amounts to about 400000l. for extraordinaries of the Army.
	Mr. Hall to be cashier of the Excise. But he is not to trade or deal as a banker.
	Mr. Baber is to be Comptroller of the First Fruits in the room of John Knight. (Ibid. p. 67).
Dec. 3, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	[Order for] 410l. [to the Earl of Ranelagh] for a week's subsistence for Webb's and Hairo's Regiment; to be issued out of Exchequer Bills on the Loans.
	The money coming in by convictions of owlers is to be issued to Mr. Baber on his orders for law suits: upon account.
	Memorandum: to carry Lord Orrery's report next Wednesday to Kensington. (Ibid. p. 68).
Dec. 4, forenoon.	Present: ut supra.
	A proposal of George Everet et al for raising three millions per annum [is read]: the ways and means he is not ready with: He will come again in two or three days.
	Petitions are read and answered [and the answers are endorsed thereon]. (Ibid. p. 69).
Dec. 6, afternoon.	Present: Sir Stephen Fox.
	Mr. Blathwaite brings the King's pleasure that three weeks' subsistence be furnished in [ready] money for another Battalion of the Scots Guards arrived at Hull; and a week's subsistence for two Battalions (26 Companies) of the Royal Regiment of Foot commanded by the Earl of Orkney. (Treasury Minute Book, Vol. X, p. 70).
Dec. 7, forenoon. eodem die, afternoon.	No entry of any attendance or of any minute. (Ibid. p. 71.)
	Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith.
	George Everet presents a memorial for a Duty on woollen manufactures and wool.
	Mr. Knight to have a copy of the minutes concerning him. (Ibid.)
Dec. 8, Kensington.	Present: the King; all the five Treasury Lords.
	The Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwayt [attend]. The Earl's memorial is read. The remainder of the 10,000l. in his hands is to be applied to one week's subsistence and to the Disbanding as per his memorial.
	[Order for the following issues to the said Earl] 4000l. for Transports; 1000l. for Mr. Lamb towards his bills [of Exchange]; and 1427l. 9s. 0d. towards subsistence [of the Forces]: these three sums to be issued out of loans on the Exchequer in general.
	Likewise 1481l. 15s. 8d. to complete the proportion for land service: to be issued in new Exchequer Bills; for subsistence [as] in the memorial.
	Lord Villiers [attends]. The report about the Alnage is read [and the matter is] respited.
	Hen. Killigrew's petition [is read] and Widow Wilmott's for some forfeited recognizances: [orderd to be] granted to Hen. Killigrew.
	Capt. Langly's petition [is read: ordered] to be referred to the Postmasters and to be gratified if [they have] no objection.
	Petition of Taylo et al [is read and ordered] to be referred to the Customs Commissioners; and to enquire of the real debt due to Mr. Colt.
	Sir John Foche to attend the King on Friday morning.
	Capt. Fisher to have a weekly allowance next to Porter.
	Dr. Oates' petition is read: 50l. [ordered to him].
	The paper about the reversions to be granted to the Earl of Portland in reprizal for between 900l. and 1000l. a year in fee farms [conveyed to him but proving unrealisable] is to be referred to the Surveyor General of Crown Lands "and his Majesty is pleased this grant shall pass before my Lord [Portland] goes." (Ibid. p. 72).
Dec. 10, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.	Present: Mr. Chancellor, Sir Stephen Fox, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	Mr. Corbet [attends: order for] 26000l. in new Exchequer Bills to the Navy for wages.
	[Order for] 174782l. to be issued to the [Exchequer Bill] Trustees on their order for the premium for the second subscription.
	Order for 40l. for the five Algerines; whereof 25l. to clothe them and the rest for subsistence. (Ibid. p. 73).
Dec. 13, forenoon.	Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	W[illiam] L[owndes] to sign the account of the Deficiencies.
	[Write] to John Hughes and Thomas Mathews to attend on Wednesday morning about abuses in the leather Duty.
	Deliver the summons [the notice for such attendance] to John Dawes. (Ibid. p. 74).
eodem die, afternoon.	Present: ut supra.
	Sir William Trumbul to be paid his Exchequer arrear of 100l. per an.
	Desire the Earl of Ranelagh to come to my Lords to-morrow morning. (Ibid).
Dec. 14, forenoon.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	The Earl of Ranelagh [attends. He] will present to the House [of Commons] the account of debts abroad.
	The said Earl and the Treasurer of the Navy (who are to give Exchequer Bills for the Trustees for part of the money in their hands for the 10 per cent. of the second Subscription) are to take 95l. for 100l. in the same manner as the Trustees did from the Exchequer and are to be allowed the 5 per cent. on their respective accounts.
	A letter to be written to Mr. Hen. Baker to pay Capt. Fisher 4l. a week from the 11th inst. pursuant to the King's pleasure.
	[Order for] 750l. 18s. 6d. to the Earl of Ranelagh out of loans on the Exchequer in general: for subsistence and bounty money [for the Forces]. (Ibid. p. 75).
Dec. 15, forenoon.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	The letter for issuing the owlers' fines to Hen. Baker [is ordered] to be recalled and [to be replaced by] a letter for 500l. to him out of seizures. Hen. Baker's accounts [are ordered] to be referred to Auditor Bridges.
	[Write] to the Excise Commissioners that the salaries of the porter and yard-keeper [of the Excise Office] be not taken out of the salary of 200l. a year of the housekeeper there.
	Mathews, Hughs & Dawes [attend]. Hughs says leather was undervalued and seized and sold and none delivered back. Dawes says a waggon load was seized and afterwards re-delivered. Mathews says they had permits and the duty was paid. (Ibid, p. 76).
eodem die, afternoon Kensington.	Present: the King, all the five Treasury Lords.
	A week's subsistence to be paid [to the Earl of Ranelagh for the Forces] as soon as the loans [on the Exchequer] in general amount to so much, being 10,270l. 13s. 9d. and 349l. 19s. 6d. for the disbanded men of Coot's Regiment.
	The Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwaite [attend].
	The [following] sums viz. 20,000l. to Hugetan, 10,000l. to Clifford, and 21,000l. to Schulenburgh and 2,000l. to de Coninck, in all 53,000l. are to be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh out of loans to be made by him on [credit of] the Exchequer in general: to be paid over to the said persons on Mr. Hill's bills [of exchange] payable to them for the subsistence [of the Forces] in Flanders.
	Afterwards 5,000l. more to be paid to him [Ranelagh] for Mr. Lamb on another bill of Mr. Hill's for subsistence in like manner and the 1,000l. put into said Ranelagh's hands last week for Mr. Lamb is to be applied to subsistence.
	The Chamberlain [of the City of London] is to attend my Lords on Friday morning.
	My Lords represent to the King the Surveyor [General of Crown Lands'] report for granting to the Earl of Portland the reversion of Kemps Field and Bunches Close &c. The King says he will have it done.
	Upon reading the petition of Hugh Speke the King directs my Lords to consider and do something for the relief of the petitioner.
	Mr. Grenvill's petition is read. The King will not pay anything on his pretension as formerly a Bedchamber man [Groom].
	Mr. Gervaise's petition [is] read and rejected.
	The petition of the Earl of Romney and Lord Coningsby about coining small money in Ireland is referred to the Lords Justices [Ireland].
	Mr. Elles' petition: the like [reference].
	[Order for] 400l. for Sheerness when there is money.
	Edward Howard [his petition read]: something to be given him from time to time.
	The Earl of Orrery's papers are read about the lapsed money: granted.
	Alexander Fort the joiner's petition is read. [Order for] 500l. in part in Lottery tickets.
	The petition of Charles Egerton Esq. [is read and is] respited till the commerce is settled.
	[The petition of the] Navy Officers [is read]. Enquire how it uses to be. (Treasury Minute Book, Vol. X, p. 77).
Dec. 20. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	[Order for] 50l. to Mr. Henry Killigrew.
	The [balance owing for the] rest of Mr. Shales's plate is ordered to be paid out of any disposeable money that shall hereafter come in. (Ibid., p. 78).
Dec. 22, forenoon.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	A memorial from the Trustees for Circulating Exchequer Bills is presented by Mr. Abbot and is read. Ordered that the Trustees do cause the sum of 54,759l. 10s. 0½d. or such part thereof as they shall receive in specie Bills from the Exchequer for the 10 per cent allowance on the second Contract, to be by their cashier made non specie Bills for the ease of the Subscription; and that 20,000l. part thereof be refunded to the Earl of Ranelagh in part of 50,000l. which said Earl put into the hands of the said Trustees by direction of the Treasury Lords.
	The Victualling Commissioners [attend]. Their memorial is read, and likewise a memorial of Henry Nunale. Ordered that the said Nunale in consideration of his losses by the Commissioners not performing their agreement with him do pay [sic for shall have paid] over to him 1,000l. in salt tallies. (Ibid., p. 79).
eodem die, afternoon Kensington.	Present: the King, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	The Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwayt come in. The Earl's memorial is read. The sums that are marked [therein] are to be paid out of 20,000l. part of the 50,000l. which the Trustees for Exchequer Bills are to refund to the Forces. See the memorial.
	[Order for] 400l. for the soldiers at Sheerness.
	[Order for] 500l. to the Duke of St. Albans and 2,800l. to the Earl of Portland: to be paid some way or other forthwith. (Ibid.)
Dec. 23, afternoon Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr. Smith.
	Col. Coot and Mr. Crawford are to be here on Wednesday morning and Mr. Clark about the reduced men of Col. Coot's Regiment.
	Mr. Clayton may be absent three or four days.
	Mr. Hugh Speke to have 50l. bounty and Mr. Nevill to have 30l. more in part of the King's mother's debt: [to be issued] out of secret service: and Edward Howard, Esq. to have 50l. out of ditto.
	Mr. Lowman with those that entered the caveats concerning the estates of Mangey et al are to be heard on Wednesday morning next.
	[Write] to Mr. Mason the Receiver [for Co. Cambridge] to be here on Wednesday morning.
	Desire Sir John Talbot to speak with my Lords when he comes to town.
	My Lords will hear counsel on Wednesday concerning the fee farms claimed by the Earl of Portland and the Earl of Romney. (Ibid., p. 80).
Dec. 29, forenoon.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	The hearing between Mr. Lowman and Mris. Mangey is put off to this day fortnight.
	[Order for] 16,000l. [to the Navy Treasurer] out of new Exchequer Bills for wages.
	The Duke of St. Albans to have 300l. more to make up 800l. for his journey to France.
	Mr. Dobins for the Earl of Romney and Mr. Dod for the Earl of Portland [attend as counsel] about the [fee farm] rents claimed by the Earl of Romney in Co. Kent for paying his fee of 160l. per an. as Constable of Dover Castle and Lord Warden [of the Cinque Ports]; which rents are granted to the Earl of Portland.
	The Act 32 Hy. VIII is read. It provides for the payment of this 160l. a year out of the Augmentation revenue by the Receiver [of Crown Revenues for Co. Kent]. Dobins says there is but 17l. a year [of the said Kent County fee farm] rents left since the grant to the Earl of Portland and that this Act stands good. It incumbers the [Crown] revenue [of the said county] with this payment, which cannot be impeached by the grant.
	Mr. Dod: it cannot be shown when the Act was made that any of these fee farms were subsisting [in the possession of the Crown] for the lands were granted afterwards, reserving these rents. The Act does not say all the [Crown fee farm] rents in Kent shall be charged, but the Augmentation revenue coming to the Receiver shall be charged. These rents are not otherwise charged than all other [Crown] rents and revenues which were in that county. These rents are actually granted, the Earl is a purchaser and if wrong were done it can only be relieved in another place, there being an estate vested. The Act for sale of Fee Farms provides that the purchaser shall not be impeached for any breach of trust [committed] by the [Sale] Trustees. The Constable [of Dover Castle] if there be no [Crown] revenue in Kent must go to the Exchequer in General as many others have done. He insists these rents were never particularly [nominatim] chargeable: the Act charged lands rather than any thing but all the other rents and revenue and the grant [to the Earl of Portland] is perfected.
	Dobins: we cannot desire your Lordships to determine this judicially but you will please to inform the King by whom the matter between these noble Lords may be settled. The Act [for sale of Fee Farms] required the Trustees to settle rents for this [and other fixed county charges]. They could bring in a bill in equity wherein all the purchasers [of fee farms] in Kent should be defendents. That would be troublesome: therefore proper for relief in Parliament to make good the former Act. The Trustees in not conveying rents [sufficient] to answer this [Constable's] fee broke their trust. In this case notice is supposed [to be given automatically] to the Earl of Portland of this encumbrance because 'twas of record; and this breach of trust by the Trustees will therefore affect the Earl of Portland in a Court of Equity. The Trustees have made a settlement for all other fees, pensions &c. [and other fixed charges on the Crown revenue of the County] except this, which was forgot: that the remaining rents in Kent ought to have been settled [for this purpose] and not sold.
	Mr. Smith says the Earl of Romney has been paid 1½ years since the Earl of Portland's grant.
	Sir Basil Dixwell: it [the Constable's said fee] 1½ years' was made good [paid] out of the rents of [the manor of] Reigate in Surrey. He desires the King may know how this stands and [is ready] to do as his Majesty pleases.
	[Write] to Mr. Digby to bring hither the pension deed [relating to the fixed County charge on Crown rents in Kent].
	These [above] minutes will be represented to the King by my Lords.
	Mr. Mason Receiver [of Taxes] for Co. Cambridge [attends]. He suffered the collectors for the Window Tax who received money to pay him in Exchequer Bills and he suffered collectors to endorse the Bills at the time the collectors paid them, whereby the King was defrauded of so much interest as incurred [up to the time] till Mr. Mason received those Bills, whereas the subjects that paid the Bills should have endorsed them.
	The 50,000l. of the Navy [money] in the hands of the Exchequer Bill Trustees is to be continued with them till further direction.
	Mr. Clerk, Mr. Crawford, Col. Coot and Mr. Abbot attend. The report about Col. Coot's discharged men is read; Coot having affirmed in his memorial that the number to whom sea pay is due was more than the number of which his Company is to consist on the reducement.
	Crawford says the reduced Company should be 37 besides five servants and sea pay was due only to 27 or fewer in every Company.
	Col. Coot owns that [statement of his above] to be a mistake. The King directed none to whom sea pay was due should be turned out. He says he gave notes to the discharged men to be paid when he received the money from the King. He thought it for the King's service to turn out the French and Irish which he took in at Barcelona. He says they took the oaths; but he thinks them Papists.
	Lieut. Col. Allen says the Colonel [Coote] gave them notes on their promise not to ask for the money till the others came to be paid. There are about 70 or 71 discharged of those having sea pay due to them, whereof the Barcelona men were 21. The rest were discharged on their earnest requests and [after] such promise as aforesaid. After the effective muster on the reducement 14 were discharged.
	Coot says they were only shifted. He explains himself [that it was done] by listing anew so many reduced men. He says his mistake was occasioned by haste but it will be cleared at next muster.
	[Order for] 349l. to be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh in new money to pay the arrears of Col. Coot's discharged men: to be issued out of loans [on the Exchequer] in general.
	Mr. Pengelly's petition [is ordered] to be laid before the King.
	[Order for] 5,000l. to the Victuallers out of loans [on the Exchequer] in general: [to be paid] by Exchequer Bills: 2,000l. thereof for the Victualling course and 3,000l. for imprests.
	[Order for] 1,000l. [to be issued to the Navy Treasurer to be paid to the Transports Commissioners] for transports: to be issued out of the like [Exchequer Bills].
	William Loup to be waiter at Poole loco Giles Knightly that hath relinquished.
	Order for 1,500l. in Lottery ticquets to be issued to the Cofferer of the Household to provide for the reception of the Czar of Muscovy and his train. The ticquets are to be disposed of at as good a rate as may be and the discount necessary must be allowed. (Ibid., pp. 81–3).
Dec. 30, forenoon.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	[Write] to the Chamberlain of London to be here tomorrow morning; and Mr. Hall of the Excise [Office].
	[Order for] 100l. to the poor of Westminster: out of [any] disposeable money.
	[Write] to the Jewel House to desire the Plenipotentiaries to return their plate.
	[Write] to Mr. Augustine Briggs at Norwich to be here this day fortnight and to pay in all the money in his hands by that day or else my Lords intend that he shall account in custody.
	The Agents for Taxes are to write to his sureties that if he fail in the premises process shall issue against them.
	Memorandum: to speak to the [Principal] Officers of the Mint about 15,000l. paid into York Mint by the Receiver of Co. Lincoln [which is] not yet repaid by the Mint.
	[Write] to Sir Henry Ashurst and Col. Gibson to attend on Tuesday morning.
	The Auditor's report concerning the [accounts of the late] Contractors for Hearthmoney is read. Ordered that the Auditors of Imprests do state the Contractors' account charging them with the whole 150,000l. [advance money] and the rents which became due during the term of [their farm] and allowing them all their payments of advance money or rent for which they have tallies in their hands; and upon the balance to make only a memorandum of the moneys for which tallies are levied remaining in the hands of other persons who allege money to be due to them thereupon: and then if there be any further sum due to the King to even the account that it be distinguished and [brought down and surcharged] in a particular ipsum upon the Contractors.
	Mr. Holmes to have 500l. in part of his Isle of Wight account: [to be paid] out of malt ticquets. (Treasury Minute Book X, p. 84).