Minute Book: January 1698 | British History Online

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

Citation:

'Minute Book: January 1698', 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/pp51-59 [accessed 23 November 2024].

January 1698



1697–8. Jan. 4. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall, forenoon.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	[Order for] 300l. out of Hackney Coaches money, to be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh for the Forces.
	[Write] to Sir Henry Ashurst at Waterstock in Co. Oxford that my Lords desire to know how much of the money imprested to him for a credit in New England has been made use of for the service intended and how much thereof remains in his hands.
	[Write] to Sir Henry Shere and Mr. Harry Baker to attend this day week.
	Mr. Carnes et al will bring in particulars of their demands for the provisions which Col. Gibson had of them.
	Mr. Berkley to be Conservator of Dean Forest.
	The Trustees [for Exchequer Bills] having restored to the Earl of Ranelagh 20000l. (part of 50000l. which they had of him to circulate Exchequer Bills) are now willing to deliver back to him [Exchequer] Bills for another 20000l.; which will repay 40000l. of the said 50000l.
	[Order for] 300l. to be issued to the Treasurer of the Chamber to provide for the reception of the Czar and his Court: [to be issued] in Malt [Lottery] ticquets, upon which he is to be allowed the discount provided the bills [sic for ticquets] be turned into money at as reasonable a rate as may be.
	[Order for] 8000l. [to the Navy Treasurer] in new Exchequer Bills: for wages to the Navy.
	Memorandum: "On the 4th of January, 1697–8 a fire happened in a private lodging near the Stone Gallery at Whitehall at 3 or 4 of the clock in the afternoon, which continued till 6 or 7 of the clock in the morning; during which time the Rooms of State, the King's Chapel, the Council Chamber, the Offices of the Principal Secretary of State, the Treasury Chambers (which latter were blown up about 9 of the clock after all the books and material papers were preserved) and several other buildings were consumed." Treasury Minute Book X, p. 85.
Jan. 6, forenoon.	At the house of me, William Lowndes, near the west end of the Abbey at Westminster.
	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	An advertisement to be inserted in the Gazette that the person that wrote a letter in the name of J. W. to Sir Robert Howard may have recourse to Mr. Clayton.
	A deduction to be made of the whole matter relating to Queen Mary's jointure.
	The Victuallers [attend]. My Lords will accommodate them [with money] as soon as may be.
	Mr. Freeman insists to have 13000l. for his jewel. My Lords must take some time to inform themselves of the value. He takes himself to be off.
	Henry Baker to have 500l. in Malt [Lottery] tickets, for Crown Law suits. [Treasury Minute Book X, p. 86.]
Jan. 7, forenoon. at Mr. Lowndes's.	Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Pelham.
	Mr. Corbet presents letters from the Navy Board for money [due] on [Navy] Bills to pay off ships, to pay the men that are to be continued in service to Oct. 1 last, amounting to 182912l.; and for money for the regred. [? retrenched] men, being 21000l. to be paid by 1000l. a week; and for 2600l. for 105 riggers discharged from Chatham; and for half a year to the Yards (who are five years in arrear at Xmas) and for money for the course and bills of exchange: which letters are read with a letter from the Admiralty for the pay of the Yards.
	Order for 20l. to be paid to William Corbet for charges at the [Whitehall] fire. (Ibid., p. 87).
Jan. 10, forenoon. at Mr. Lowndes's house.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	[Write] to Mr. Sansom to speak with Mr. L[owndes] in the evening.
	[Write] to Sir Christopher Wren to come then.
	The Trustees for Exchequer Bills present a memorial.
	The complement [making the total sum directed up] to 2,000,000l. in new Exchequer Bills is to be issued [to the Navy Treasurer] for wages [to seamen].
	Richard Tabor a chaplain [going] for Jamaica: [order to the Auditor of the Receipt that] on the bishop of London's letter he have 20l. because he goes tomorrow.
	A warrant for 20l. a piece to the rest of the chaplains [that are going] to the West Indies: certified by the said bishop. (Ibid, p. 88.)
Jan. 11, forenoon. at Mr. Lowndes's house.	Present: Mr. Smith, Mr. Pelham.
	Sir John Johnson and Sir Ri. Blackham to attend tomorrow morning at the request of Widow Mangy.
	The letter from the Admiralty concerning money [necessary] to victual the Squadron for the Straits is read.
	Upon reading Mr. Thrale's report my Lords order that the Lottery tickets which are found in Mr. Packer's house (being [of the draft forms] such as were disliked and therefore laid aside never to be used) be burnt; and that the [counterfeiters'] tools for coining which Packer seized as a Justice be delivered to the Warden of the Mint: and that the said Warden and Mr. Neale, Mr. Thrale and young Mr. Packer with these things do attend here tomorrow morning.
	[Order for] 5000l. out of loans in Exchequer Bills to be issued to the [Navy Treasurer for the] Victuallers, 3000l. thereof for the [Victualling] course and 2000l. for imprests.
	Mr. Crimes to have 30s. a week paid him per Henry Baker from Dec. 1 last.
	My Lords order that an extent be made forth on the bond of Sir Peter Killigrew [for his accounting] for the receipt of the Duchy of Cornwall, to find out how much of the King's money is in the hands of Mr. Tregeagle or Mr. Hooker; and that on return of the inquisition a course be taken against them for the King's money detained by them. Mr. Hen. Baker (now present) is to take care of this at the King's charge.
	Sir Henry Shere [is called in]. In 1687 he agreed with Mr. Stafford for a house and 50 acres of land near Dartford and he paid 700l. in part: Mathew Johnson was possessed of all the writings to make the conveyance: some difficulties occurred by Stafford's being prest on his embassy to Spain but wrote from Portsmouth he would perfect it: it never was perfected: he has letters and witnesses: the whole value is 1400l.: he paid down 700l. [evidenced] by a receipt and has laid out 600l.: Sir Henry has ever since the year 1687 been in possession: Sir Henry entered on an agreement to sell this estate to Sir Fra. Leigh: Sir Henry will come again this day week with Sir Fra. Leigh and Mr. Johnson.
	The Trustees for Exchequer Bills [attend]: their memorial is read. The paper about their [officers' assessments to] taxes is to be referred to the Attorney General.
	Mr. Baker is to attend the Attorney and Solicitor General for their opinion on the case concerning cancelling Exchequer Bills on the Malt Duty: and desire them to be here tomorrow morning.
	[Order for] 230l. to Mr. Foley and 150l. to Mr. Kien out of the Post Office revenue money. (Ibid, p. 88–9.)
eodem die afternoon.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	The Excise Commissioners [attend]. The report on Mr. Noell's account of fines [in Excise] is read. My Lords will consider it further at next leisure.
	My Lords are of opinion the Teller must receive from the Excise Commissioners the [Exchequer] Bill No. 39831 whereof the figure 1 appears to have been erased. Mr. Kent, [Excise] Collector at Lymington is charged to have answered the Duty in [Exchequer] Bills where[as] he received it in money [specie]: he denies it: offers his oath [that he received nothing in specie] unless about 30l. [?which he paid] to officers of the Army: Abbot who is a maltster paid 10l. in [Exchequer] Bills for the Duty of salt: Kent says Abbot never had money of him [as in purchase] for [Exchequer] Bills and that he frequently receives the Duty for salt from salt carriers and others.
	The Commissioners are to send for Mr. Parker the supervisor [of Excise in that district] to hear him on this matter. Kent is charged to have suffered Coll[ector] Burhard to run in debt for salt. He is responsible for Burhard and whatever damage or charge the King sustains by Burhard must be borne by Kent. (Ibid, pp. 89–90.)
Jan. 12, forenoon at Mr. Lowndes's house.	Present: Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	The Victuallers [attend]. Their papers are read. The Transport Commissioners [also attend]. Their memorial [is read]. To be considered as soon as money [is available.]
	The Attorney General [attends] for Mr. Lowman; Mr. Montagu [appears] for Widow Mangy. She brought a considerable fortune, [in dowry to her husband] which he has forfeited, being executed: he was convicted on a single testimony, [and that single witness was] an indigent person and the Act for a reward might be an encouragement for an indigent person. She has seven children and nothing [to hope for] but from the King's clemency. The same witness swore afterwards against several others: the judges and jury would believe him no further and he ran away. There was first an application to the King for her, afterwards the [application] of Pordage and Crow, then a third.
	The report of Henry Baker [the Treasury Solicitor] is read, which was laid before the Lords Justices. Mr. Baker says he had an account from the sheriff that the witness was a man of no credit and had falsified on the jury. The officers of the Mint at York said it was impossible for Mangy to stamp money in the place where he was charged to do it. Mris. Mangy will be content with 80l. a year and 300l. in money. There is above 1000l. debt to be paid out of this.
	Mr. Byndloss one of the Commissioners [for enquiry into Mangy's estate] says Mangy's personal estate is 9000l. [My Lords order] a grant to pass to Mr. Lowman of the whole estate except 300l. of the personal estate which is to be reserved in the King's power till it be seen whether Mrs. Mangy ingeniously [ingenuously] discovers the whole estate. My Lords think the grant to Lowman should be charged with a bond for 250l. due to Mr. Richard Asheton.
	Mr. Neale [the Master Worker of the Mint attends] with Mr. Thrale, the executors of Mr. Packer et al. My Lords direct them to burn forthwith in the Melting House [at the Mint] all the Lottery tickets which are found in Mr. Packer's house or elsewhere, of the kind of those which were laid aside never to be used. And as to the coining tools which Mr. Packer seized, the Warden [of the Mint] is to take them into his custody. (Treasury Minute Book X, pp. 90–91.)
eodem die, afternoon Kensington.	Present: the King; all the five Treasury Lords.
	The Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blaythwayt [attend]. The Earl's memorial is read [for money for the Forces]. The whole being 19448l. 5s. 2d., is to be paid out of the loans on the Exchequer in General as fast as they come in.
	Monsieur Lulin's debt is to be paid out of the tallies in Sir Joseph's Herne's hands; to wit 5000l. in tallies without the interest.
	Memorandum: the Dutch Ambassador is to permit the Earl of Ranelagh to receive half a year's interest on the salt tallies deposited with the said Ambassador [as security] for 1,000,000 guilders borrowed in Holland, because half a year's interest of that sum is appointed to be paid in Holland by Mr. Hill out of other money.
	The petition of Sir Joseph Herne is read. He is [ordered] to have 2000l. for com[mission] money; that is 2000l. in tallies without interest.
	A warrant [is ordered] to direct Sir Joseph to deliver the tallies for 25,000l. remaining in his hands, and orders to the Earl [of Ranelagh] to make the said payments. The said warrant is to be entred with the Auditors [of Imprests for them] to surcharge the Earl both with principal and interest [on the said tallies].
	The 160l. a year to the Constable of Dover Castle and the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports and 50l. a year to Sir Basil Dixwell (for which he had a privy seal), with the arrears thereof, are to be placed on the Establishment of the Forces.
	The Captains of the pacquet boat between Falmouth and the Groyne are to have a profit out of the prizes; in accordance with the report of the Postmasters General read this day. (Ibid, p. 92.)
Jan. 14, forenoon at Mr. Lowndes's house.	Present: all the five Lords.
	The [Principal] Officers of the Ordnance [attend]. They represent the ill state of the forts and garrisons, the same which they laid before the King in a paper relating to the Establishment of the [Ordnance] Office. Warrants to be prepared for—
	[Write] the Auditors to attend this day week with the stated account of the Hearthmoney [Contractors].
	Desire Sir George Fletcher to be here on Tuesday morning.
	A warrant for Sir Samuel Morland's pension: 200l. (Ibid, p. 93.)
Jan. 17, forenoon at Mr. Lowndes's house.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	The Commissioners of Transports present a memorial which is read.
	[Order for] 17950l. [to be issued to the Navy Treasurer] in new Exchequer Bills: for wages [of seamen].
	Lord Wharton informs my Lords that the King would [has decided to] have bought in a lease of Knowlegrove, Fangrove and Stubride [coppices] in Surrey from [the lessees] Tho. Bradford and William Burnet; which will cost 380l. purchase money and 20l. for repairs. My Lords desire Mr. Denzill Onslow to proceed in the purchase for the King. The Attorney General is to take the assignment from the lessees and my Lords will furnish the money by Lady day next. (Ibid, p. 93.)
Jan. 18, forenoon at Mr. Lowndes's house.	Present: all the five Lords.
	Sir George Fletcher says he thinks Mr. Bone never was a tenant to Lord Preston's estate, and Swalwell rented about 5l. or 6l. a year: Sir George says he himself told the Treasury at first the estate was 1500l. or 1600l. a year and Bone was able to make no discovery: that these men were employed by Mariot and he with Aaron Smith and these men received 1600l. out of the estate. He does not know what account they have made.
	Sir Hen. Shere, Sir Fra. Leigh et al [attend] about [Mr.] Stafford's estate. Mr. Brewer says in the beginning of 1688 Sheres agreed with Stafford for the estate: he employed Mr. Johnson to look into the title and paid down 500l. to Stafford and to the Marchioness of Winchester (his sister) 200l. more and 100l. more otherwise: [that he] entered and enjoyed [the estate for] 8 or 9 years and laid out 700l. or 800l. more; in all more than 'tis worth: lately Stafford was outlawed, a commission [of inquiry] issued, a substantial jury (upon the hearing of a scandalous person) found that Stafford was not possessed of this estate; but the Commissioners being discharged the jury met again and agreed on the same verdict, but another jury has since found it [to be in Stafford's possession at the time of the outlawry]: when Sir Henry dealt with Stafford he [the latter] was an innocent man; the conveyances were not executed: Chancery in such a case compels performance of the agreement in specie. On the 26th March 1688 an acquittance of John Stafford for 500l. in part for the purchase of Hawleigh. Mr. Gardner paid the money. On the 12 Feb. 1688–9 a bill of Stafford to pay the 200l. to the Marchioness.
	Mr. Charles Midleton says he paid the money.
	Sir Henry says the estate was valued at 1600l. but Stafford was to put it into repair.
	Mr. Brewer says it will not let for 50l. a year: it has been offered for 45l. a year.
	Sir Fra. Leigh says he treated with Shere in 1695 to purchase it; part of the money was paid; his agreement was 1600l.
	Mr. Johnson says some deeds were wanting in 1688 and some persons that should seal and Stafford went for Spain but he has the deeds delivered over to him.
	Sir Francis Leigh says the profits of the land are not 40l. a year.
	Mr. Middleton says he has in his books about 90l. more paid to the Marchioness on account of Sir Henry Shere.
	Sir Francis desires nothing but to pay his money and have a good title. Treasury Minute Book X, pp. 94–5.
Jan. 19, forenoon at Mr. Lowndes's house.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pelham.
	The Victuallers [attend]. Their memorials are read. My Lords do not intend that the 10 per cent. upon the 1000l. paid to Lord Coningsby for the Marquess of Winchester should be abated from Mr. Pauncefoot upon the bills of exchange from Ireland payable to the Victuallers. It is my Lords' opinion that the prices demanded by Capt. Norris for the provisions taken as price [prize] which he furnished at Newfoundland are unreasonable and they will consider that matter before they be allowed.
	[Write] to Mr. Tailor, Paymaster of the Lottery tickets, to be here tomorrow morning: and [write] to the Agents for Taxes to direct Mr. Hudleston, the Receiver of Westmorland or his agent to attend at the same time: and the Agents for Taxes are to attend then.
	Upon a memorial from the Works my Lords order 1500l. out of lottery tickets and 100l. a week out of the Post Office till 1500l. more be paid. (Ibid., p. 95).
eodem die afternoon Kensington	Present: All the five Lords.
	My Lords will hear the cause between Lord William Paulet and Hen. Killigrew Esq. on Friday morning. Letters [of notice] to be sent to them.
	My Lords are of opinion that Sir Francis Leigh [should] have the estate late of Mr. Stafford at Hawley for 1600l. of which 1000l. to be paid to Sir Henry Shere and the rest to go to the King.
	The doorkeepers of the two Houses [of Parliament are] to be paid what is due to them. Prepare the warrants.
	The King comes in.
	The Earl of Ranelagh [attends]: his memorial [for money for the Forces] is read. It amounts to 13738l. 3s. 5d. and is to be be paid out of the money which is to be raised by the Earl (by way of discount) on the tallies on the Continued Impositions, which [tallies] Sir Joseph Herne formerly received for the Duke of Savoy and are now ordered to be re-assigned to the said Earl for the Forces.
	Sir William Scawen et al. clothiers, [attend] on a petition for a premium of 15 per cent. for accepting salt tallies for the clothing [of the Forces] last year. The King tells them he'll consider of it. If they have [a charge on] good funds for [the clothing of the year] 1697 that will recompense them; if they should have [a charge on] remote funds they may have some allowance. At present the King does not think it reasonable to order anything.
	The petition of Arthur French and James Farrell is read. The King knows nothing of them; but my Lords are [ordered] to speak with them on the subject matter of their petition.
	The petition of Capt. Thomas Prendergast is read, with the report [thereon]. The King says he ought to have his 500l. per annum. The warrant for Gustavus Hamilton is not to interfere with him. So much of the lands in the list is to be conveyed to the petitioner as will make up his present grant to be 500l. a year.
	Monsieur Gervaise's petition is read. [The King orders that] my Lords are to hear him.
	The petition of the Baroness of Upper Ossory is read and granted according to the report.
	The Earl of Rochford's report [the report on his petition] is read: The King says what his Majesty has given him ought to be made up.
	The petition of the workmen in the Yards [is read. Ordered that they are] to be paid as soon as possibly money can be procured for them.
	The presentment [from the Principal Commissioners of Prizes] about continuing or discontinuing prize officers is read. The King orders my Lords to signify to the Commissioners that he will continue no part of the charge of their Office after Lady day next; and that they cause all accounts to be made up and cleared in the mean time.
	Sir William Ashurst's petition is read and respited.
	[Order for] 1250l. to the Duke of Southampton; 1250l. to the Duke of Grafton; 1250l. to the Duke of Northumberland and 3000l. to the Stables; all out of Malt [Lottery] tickets. (Ibid, pp. 96–97.)
Jan. 21, forenoon at Mr. Lowndes's house.	Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pelham.
	The letter [of direction] for 5000l. to Monsieur Lullin and 2000l. to Sir Joseph Herne is read and approved.
	John Clough to be landwaiter at Newcastle loco—Maclane deceased (at the recommendation of Sir William St. Quintin et al). A letter [to be sent to the Customs Commissioners] to present him if [they have] no objection.
	Sir Thomas Littleton comes in.
	[Write] to the officers of the Exchequer to take their fees in the species wherein the [respective] payments are made [on which such fees are due].
	Robert Inwood is to have 30s. a week and — Bannahan to have the same per [the hands of] Henry Baker from Jan. 1 inst.
	Mr. Richard Tailer and Mr. Blackler [attend]. Taylor says the [Lottery] tickets were paid 1697 Nov. 25 and then entered. Mr. Blackler says these tickets were in his hands the 27th Nov. Mr. Blackler's servant to be here on Tuesday morning.
	The Chancellor of the Exchequer comes in.
	[Write] to the Tellers of the Exchequer to attend the Trustees with such books and papers as they [the Trustees] shall desire.
	Lord William Paulet and Mr. Killigrew [attend]. My Lords are of opinion that the King has full power to discharge the recognizance; but the grant to Lord William being in consideration of good services my Lords think he should have allowance of 250l. in his rent which is reserved [payable] to the Crown.
	[Write] to Mr. Neal to be here tomorrow morning.
	Col. Thomas Strangwaies [attends]. He produces the grant of Charles II by which he claims the office of Clerk of the Parcels now void by the death of William Wardour. The Chancellor of the Exchequer tells him my Lords look on this office as of right to belong to the Treasury [in matter of patronage]; he [the said clerk] is their clerk; was never executed but under the Treasurer's fiat; they would not show any disrespect to him; but 'tis their Lordships' right and there are other offices [of which the patronage] would be taken from them by this precedent; it was necessary to put in one presently.
	He says his father gave a valuable consideration for this in money to Sir Robert Holmes 23 years since.
	Sir Stephen Fox says Sir William Sanderson had formerly a patent for this office; but Lord Treasurer Southampton rejected it and putt in Mr. Wardour.
	The Chancellor of the Exchequer says if Col. Strangwaies has right they shall be well satisfied that it appear so upon trial but in the mean time they [my Lords] think the right is with them.
	[Write] to the Auditors of Imprests to be here again on Wednesday morning.
	My Lords tell Col. Strangwaies an officer must presently be appointed in the Parcel Office; but if the right can be settled in an amicable way they will be very ready to be advised and desire him to consult with his lawyers.
	Mr. Wardour's clerks, White & Floyd [Lloyd], bring the key of the cash; which is delivered back to Lloyd.
	My Lords constitute Mr. Henry Pelham to be Clerk of the Parcels during pleasure. (Treasury Minute Book X, pp. 98–99.)
eodem die, at Mr. Lowndes's house.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	My Lords order 2000l. for transports out of the first money of the loans coming in and after payment of the sum already directed to the Earl of Ranelagh for the Forces.
	My Lords order William Lowndes to attend the Exchequer Court this morning in the business that concerns the [Treasury Lords'] power of disposing the office of Clerk of the Parcels. (Ibid, p. 99.)
Jan. 26, forenoon at Mr. Lowndes's house.	Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	The Victuallers [attend]. Their papers are read.
	The Agents [of Taxes'] letter about Huddleston is read. Keep it safe. (Ibid, p. 100).
Jan. 27, forenoon at Mr. Lowndes's house.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	Upon a signification of the King's pleasure by Mr. Standley my Lords agree to the proposition for hiring Lord Ossulston's house for the reception [lodging] of Ambassadors; for 2 years at 400l. per an. rent; to be paid by the Treasurer of the Chamber. William Merret, deputy Knight Harbinger, may enter into articles for that purpose.
	Mris. Bowtell to have 100l. in part of the money which was due to her husband for redemption of captives [in Barbary]: out of secret service moneys; it being to pay for her husband's funeral and for her relief.
	[Order for] 250l. in Malt [Lottery] tickets for the K[ing]. (Ibid.)
Jan. 28, forenoon at Mr. Lowndes's house.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	Thomas Silvester is to be the smith of the Mint loco Peter Johnson.
	Robert Blake to be paid 133l. 16s. out of the Hackney Coach money.
	John Story's petition to be surveyor of glass Duties is to be looked out and laid before the Board.
	Walter Batson is recommended by Mr. Wharton and Mr. Fortescue to be commander of a sloop against owlers. (Ibid, p. 101.)
Jan. 29. forenoon at Mr. Lowndes's house.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	Mr. John Rivet [appears] for the Duke of Devonshire. [Write] to the Jewel House to write to the [said Duke as] Lord Privy Seal to return the plate which he received by indenture when he went into Holland as Ambassador and Plenipotentiary for the Peace.
	Mr. Newport [attends]. He recommends Mr. Francis Rainsford to succeed Carter as landsurveyor.
	Sir Stephen Fox comes in. He desires that 5,000l. of the 29,300l. in orders and tallies by him deposited in Mr. Tailor's hands for making good Mr. Knight's accounts as late Receiver [and Cashier of Customs] may be re-delivered to him, the said Sir Stephen, who promises to restore the same in ten days' time. My Lords consent to this. (Ibid.)