Minute Book: September 1698 | British History Online

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 14, 1698-1699. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1934.

Citation:

'Minute Book: September 1698', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 14, 1698-1699, ed. William A Shaw( London, 1934), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol14/pp1-16 [accessed 23 November 2024].

September 1698



Sept. 1, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Tho. Littleton.
	Mr. Hall to be here this afternoon: put off.
	The Agents [for Taxes] to be here to-morrow morning.
	Mr. Hall who has 110,000l. in tallies of anticipation on the second payment of the Two Millions is to exchange out of it 53,600l. [of tallies] struck for the Forces on the third payment.
	Mr. Corbet comes in and presents a memorial for the Navy.
	The Customs Commissioners to be here this afternoon.
	The Commissioners of Transports come in. Their memorial is read. My Lords promise to order them some money to-morrow morning to answer bills drawn on them.
	The report of the [Principal] Officers of the Mint is read on a proposal of Mr. Methuen for a Mint in Ireland. My Lords order a report to be made to the Lords Justices [England] that my Lords concur with the opinion of the Officers of the Mint. Treasury Minute Book, Vol. X, p. 226.
eodem die afternoon.	Present: the same.
	The Customs Commissioners come [in]. Their reports on divers petitions are read. The answers [of my Lords are endorsed] upon them. Ibid.
Sept. 2, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: ut supra.
	Mr. Nicholas, the late Queen's Treasurer, is called in. My Lords order a warrant to be prepared for 15000l. for French refugees.
	[Order for] 20000l. to be issued to the Navy [Treasurer] out of loans on the Coal [Duty] Act: 15000l. thereof for [seamen's] wages and 5000l. for bills of exchange.
	[Order for the issue to same of] 892l. 3s. 0d. for 2 weeks' subsistence for the [Marine] Regiments of Seymour, Colt and Mordant, from the 29th inst.: to be issued out of loans on the Coal Act.
	[Order for the issue to same of] 500l. to discharge caulkers at Chatham as per [the Navy Commissioners'] letter: to be issued out of the like loans.
	[Order for the issue of] 5000l. out of the like loans to the Commissioners of Transports upon account: and 1000l. more to same to make up 6000l.
	[Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer of] 480l. for 6 captains and 12 lieutenants of the Regiments of Seymour, Colt and Mordant going to sea; on account of their arrears: to be issued out of the like loans.
	Write to Mr. Ryley to attend on Tuesday morning. Send him the informations [signed] A B, from the verderers and John Evans, to bring back with him on Tuesday.
	[Order for the] 10000l. tallies in the hands of the Navy Treasurer on the Two Millions to be issued to the Victuallers, out of which [they are] to apply 1,500l. to pay the Extra Necessary Money and Necessary Money to the pursers going to the Straits; 5,000l. for the [Victualling] course and 3,500l. for imprests.
	Japhet Crook's warrant is to be sent to the King [for signature]; also the warrant for [paying] 1,900l. to Jonathan Bookey gent.
	The officers of the Pipe [attend] upon a complaint of issuing process against Thomas Benson, late Receiver of the first Six Months' Aid. This process was made by the King's Remembrancer. Write to the Remembrancer or his deputy acquainting them with this matter and directing him to attend with an answer next Tuesday.
	Order the Auditor of the Receipt and the Clerk of the Pells to certify the Clerk of the Pipe when any payments are made to persons for premiums upon the Act of Parliament for discovering or taking clippers, coiners and highwaymen; and also [for] surplusages on sheriff's accounts.
	A warrant to be prepared and sent this evening to the King [for his signature] for 500l. to Mathew Prior Esq. as his Majesty's bounty. Treasury Minute Book, Vol. X, p. 227.
Sept. 5. forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: ut supra.
	This day my Lords being informed by Mr. Clayton (who has also made oath before Mr. Justice Dewy) of the death of Sir Robert Howard [Auditor of the Receipt and] scriptor talliarum, My Lords are pleased by an instrument under their hands and seals to grant that office to Christopher Montague, Esq., for his life. And at the sealing of the said instrument there attended several ministers and clerks of the Receipt, to wit Mr. Lowe and Mr. Lenox, Deputy Chamberlains, with Mr. Twitty, Mr. Clayton, Mr. Tailor, Mr. Granger, Mr. Presgrave and others. My Lords administered the oath to the said Christopher for his office together with the oaths appointed by the Act of I. Wm. and Mary c. 8: and he did at the same time subscribe the Association; and was thereupon admitted into the office. Ibid., p. 228.
Sept. 6. forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: ut supra.
	Mr. Corbet [attends]: his papers are read.
	The Commissioners of Sick and Wounded [attend].
	Write to Sir Stephen Fox that my Lords have deferred countersigning Lord Coningsby's warrant and are being pressed by his Lordship who defers his going into Ireland on this account; and understanding that he has wrote to the King, my Lords desire to know whether he [Fox] hath any signification of the King's pleasure.
	The [Principal] Officers of the Ordnance [attend]. Mr. Nicholas Baker is to prosecute those that have embezzled the Ordnance stores.
	[Write] to Auditor Done to send my Lords the state of Sir Polycarpus Wharton's account.
	Mr. Ryley, Major Dickens, Mr. Furzer and Mr. Oxford come in. Mr. Ryly's articles of Feb. 12 last against Dickens, Woodward of New Forest, are read. Dickens says several of these complaints were made to the House of Lords and he brought up witnesses, where he was heard and this is a busy time in the country so that he could not bring up all his witnesses again but he is ready to make such answer as he can without them.
	To the first Article: Oxford says there were 9 or 10 trees of 4 or 5 loads apiece in Burghley Walk assigned by Dickens for repair of Burghley Garden pales without any warrant that he knew of.
	Dickens says the Marquess of Winchester is Keeper of this [Burghley] lodge: he desired him and Oxford to repair those pales: Oxford went with him and acted and consented for every tree. The Marquess said he would procure a warrant from the Treasury.
	Oxford owns he accompanied him and did give his consent.
	Dickens says the whole was employed in that paling and none sold.
	Ryly says 1 Oct. 1697 he found 5 oaks assigned by the woodward, as pretended, for a well and turf house.
	Dickens says he had 3 warrants from the Court for this which he says were produced to the House of Lords. He owns the 3 orders [sic ? for oaks] to be of 40s. a piece value.
	Ryly says one of the trees was worth 10l. by R. Cull.
	Dickens says it was valued but at 4l.
	Ryly says another was valued at 4l.
	Dickens: two regarders were with me.
	Ryly 3 Aug. 1694 an oak was assigned to Hussey for fuel; the lop had 70 foot timber in it.
	Dickens says it was rotten and he stopt it himself and it went to the Navy.
	Mr. Furzer says another [oak] tree of 127 foot was assigned for fuel and was afterwards taken into the [Navy] yard for the Navy. In 1694, Furzer says, about 80 foot timber was assigned for fuel to Burgesse. It was good sound timber for building and Burgesse sold it.
	Dickens says if any fuel wood felled proved timber he himself sold it and accounted for it and says he will stand to it as to this piece of Burgess.
	Furzer says 18 May 1695 a bush, very sound, was assigned to this Burgesse; he and his servant were at work on it and Furzer came and seized it and then came the woodward and sold it.
	Dickens says 'tis the keeper's office to see, when 'tis down, whether it be timber or no.
	Furzer says: 13 June 1695–6 two fuel trees, good timber, were assigned to Sir Robert Worsley. In 1696 upon his complaint that fuel wood was sold, an order of [the Forest] Court was made that whosoever sold should have no more assigned and yet Dickens has assigned to some that have since sold: Furzer instances John Stretch and John Burt.
	Dickens says Stretch when the first assignment was made was a rack renter; when the second, he bought the estate and had a new title. Cha. Newbolt is another instance. Some of the verderers (says Dickens) were dissatisfied with his conviction and bid the woodward proceed in his assignment to Newbolt.
	Furzer says: In 1697 John Birt stole a tree of 40 foot which the woodward sold afterwards to the same person.
	Dickens says 'twas a little dead beech which Oxford advised him to cut down; 'twas seized and the King has the money for it. He [Birt] offered most [for it] and since is presented for it.
	Furzer says: In 1697 he found a great tree cut down in Ashurst Walk; was informed 'twas cut down by Buckle and the woodward sold it to Buckle for 12l.
	Dickens says he sold it to one Wulfe and not to Buckle.
	Oxford says in 1693–4 the woodward in few hours raised above 50l. on trees cut down and sawed, and sold at several great values: in 1694 another of great value. (The manner is: trees are cut, if found [to be good timber] before carried [away] then they are sold by the woodward for the King).
	Dickens says he may allow this to be true because 'tis owned he sold them for the King's account. He could do no better when they were found [to be good timber upon being felled] and would have been stolen.
	Oxford says: the woodward has the fees for these trees.
	Dickens says: as to these 'tis not alleged they were sold to those who cut them down. I was at charge and hired men to prevent this practice.
	Ryly says the assignments of whole trees for fuel commenced in this woodward's time and complains of the woodward's breach of the orders of the Treasury concerning browse wood, fuel wood and fee trees.
	Dickens says: in 1689 I presented to the Treasury abuses concerning fuel wood. (Treasury Minute Book, Vol. X, pp. 229–31).
Sept. 7, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	[Write] to Sir Humphrey Edwyn that my Lords take notice of his building which is begun near the Pell Office which will be very dangerous as well as inconvenient; and desire him to send some person that my Lords may discourse with before this building be further proceeded in.
	[Order for the issue] to the Navy [Treasurer of] 50,000l. by tallies on the Receivers of the moneys subscribed on the Act for the Two Millions, to wit as in part of the sum of 250,000l. payable in March next. This sum [of 50,000l.] is in part of 62,000l. for 2 quarters to the Yards due at Michaelmas 1697.
	The Victuallers [attend]. They are [made] acquainted with the King's order that the bills [of exchange] for 1634 pieces of Eight for Customs of victual furnished in Spain [do] remain unaccepted till further order. They are to have a copy of Mr. Blathwait's letter.
	If Mr. Papillon will furnish a credit at Cadiz for any sum not exceeding 1,000l. to buy beer, butter and cheese, &c., my Lords will answer the bills that are drawn and allow him 1½ per cent. for commission.
	[Order for] 727l. 17s. 9d. for provisions sent to Newfoundland: to be issued to the Navy [Treasurer] for the Victuallers; 90l. 17s. 11d. thereof out of loans on the Poll and the remaining 636l. 19s. 10d. out of loans on the Duties on coals.
	Baldwyn Leighton to have 100l. upon account of his pretensions: which makes up 300l.
	Dr. Seikes [to have] 33l. 6s. 8d.
	Mr. Hen. Killigrew to have 50l. out of which he is to pay Mr. Tailor his debt: and to be told that my Lords can order no more till they have the King's pleasure after his return.
	Serjeant Ryly, Major Dickens, Mr. Oxford and Mr. Furzer [attend].
	To the second Article: Furzer instances in an assignment to one Pinson (his rents in all not 10l. a year), the assignment above 20l. in value.
	Dickens offers Pinson's affidavit he never had above 10 loads in a year.
	Furzer says: Pinson made barrel staves, &c., out of this wood.
	Ryly says: the affidavit respects only one tenement; whereas he had 3, all which do not amount to 10l. a year rent.
	Furzer says: the house was empty.
	Dickens says: if the tenement be let and one is to come in I make assignments. He produces two other affidavits tending to prove Pinson had not above 10 loads.
	Furzer says: Fra. Miles who made one of the affidavits usually makes car[d]board out of the fuel wood and he stole an aspe for which he was presented and Major Dickens interrupted the presentment. Furzer further says 3 trees were assigned to John Woods a keeper, I found it cutting into barrel staves and afterwards found 7l. or 8l. worth of coopers ware which was sold away. Woods presented a gun against him.
	Dickens says: I know nothing of this and Woods has denied it to his face. Dickens further says the woodward and regarders look after the keepers, but the keepers are to look after the inhabitants.
	To the Third Article: Furzer says: assignments are made to carboard makers, maltsters and others having no right.
	Ryly says: these ought not to be within the forest.
	Dickens says: I make the assignments in respect of their rights.
	Furzer says: Miles has wrought fuel wood into carboard. Pinson and Rally of Bramshire [the same] and I have often informed Mr. Dickens who said he knew nothing of it.
	Dickens [says he] moved the [Forest] Court a year ago that they would give their opinions how he should guide himself in assigning fuel wood to the country [the forest dwellers] who were very clamorous and [he] procured an order to assign one load to [every renter of] 4l. or 5l. a year.
	To the Fourth Article: Furzer says he told Dickens that Phinees Wroth sold his fuel wood and Dickens presently assigned fuel wood to Wroth.
	Dickens says: he positively refused to assign any wood to Wroth.
	Furzer says: Dickens discouraged his informations.
	To the Fifth Article: for this [article] reference is had to the assignment made to Woods for a well, turf house and barn, for which 5 trees were felled.
	For the Sixth Article: two former orders of the Treasury are produced restraining the woodward from cutting fuel wood, browsewood and fee trees.
	He [Dickens] produces a letter of Mr. Jephson, 4 Jan., 1689–90, that he should take care that assignments be made by the proper officers; and the copy of a letter signed by Mr. Oxford and many others that the assignments of fuel wood have always been [made] by the woodward assisted by 2 or 3 regarders and the keeper of the Walk till [the matter was] ordered otherwise by the Treasury in 1679.
	Ryly says: this ought to be done by the woodward, only to the King's tenants and officers of the forests and not to other claimants. Assignments should be only of dead wood and dry boughs.
	To the Seventh Article: Dickens shews a certificate that the bark has always belonged to the woodward.
	Ryly produces a determination against this by the Treasury in 1689. The fuellers have no right to whole trees, therefore he [the woodward] could have no right to the bark of trees.
	To the Eighth Article: Furzer says: in April 1696 I took account of 2,019 loads of browze wood cut in 1695 and but little of it was taken up.
	A letter from the Navy Board on this head is read.
	Dickens says he took up 116 piles of wood which came to 114l. The browsewood should be taken up in April but usually lies till 'tis coaled [? called] away.
	Mr. Brudenel says he measured browse boughs 2 foot 2 inches in diameter.
	Ryly says: 3 beeches sold by the woodward for repairs at Lyndhurst or [for] keepers' salaries were afterwards sold to John Wyntor of Southampton who made therewith the kiel for the Cornwall a third rate.
	Dickens says: they were old and defective at bottom and top and in the body. The regarders were concerned as well as he. Lord Russell said the builder deserved to be hanged for that ship. They [? the navy timber for the Yards] were allowed by the overseers.
	To the Ninth Article: [? Dickens] refers to what was said yesterday.
	To the Tenth Article: that he sold without an officer of the Navy [being present] contrary to the order of the Treasury. Instances are given in felling wood for keepers' wages and repairs at Lyndhurst. He [Dickens] says he wrote to the [Navy] Purveyor and he did not come.
	Ryly says: the Purveyor never was present but at one of the wood sales in 8 years' time.
	Dickens says: here is nothing against me for purloining or selling to my own use. Ibid., pp. 231–3.
Sept. 7, afternoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	The Customs Commissioners are called in. Several presentments of theirs are read. The minutes are [endorsed] upon them.
	Mr. Bovet is called in with his witnesses, relating to seizures made by Mr. Underdown, Collector of Rochester port. The [Principal] Commissioners of Prizes are to attend on the 23rd of this month with the said Bovet and Underdown.
	Mr. Henry Bayly one of the boat's crew of Capt. Crosse's ship the Dover lying at Portsmouth being able to speak to some matters of moment now depending before my Lords (as Mr. Bovet informs) a letter [is ordered to be sent] to Mr. Burchet to move the Admiralty Lords to direct Bayly to attend the Treasury Lords as soon as possible. Ibid., p. 234.
Sept. 9, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: ut supra.
	Mr. Lowndes [is ordered] to pay the bill for making the hay in the Park.
	Memorandum: [to consider the paying of] the foreign Ambassadors [English Ambassadors sent abroad] and the Yeomen of the Guard next Wednesday.
	The Marquess of Carmarthen [attends]: says he was at a distance when Sir Robert [Howard, Auditor of the Receipt] died or he had attended here sooner. His Lordship produces his patent for the office late of Sir Robert Howard, which is read.
	The Chancellor of the Exchequer says they have searched all the precedents and find by all of them for some hundred years this office is in the gift of the Treasury; particularly this office was given to Sir Robert Howard by the Marquess's father [as Lord Treasurer], and being obliged to assert their own right my Lords have given it to Mr. Chr. Montague.
	The Marquess said: I have heard as much: my patent does oblige me to attend your Lordships: 'tis my right and I will defend it. As to my father's admitting Sir Robert Howard he was the last man in the world to have been admitted if it were in his [my father's] power [to have refused him]. He demands of my Lords to admit him as Sir Robert was admitted by his father, in the same manner.
	[The] Cha[ncellor says:] if the right be not with us the law may decide it as soon as your lordship pleases.
	Mr. Smith says: we would not do anything unkind to you or Col. Strangwaies if it were not to preserve a right which we think we have.
	His Lordship offers his service: says he will maintain his right and carries away the patent.
	Write to the Customs Commissioners to attend on Wednesday afternoon concerning the report of [on] Jeffery Jefferyes et al.
	Order for the issue to the Earl of Ranelagh of 4,500l. out of loans on the Exchequer in general: as in further part of 250,000l.: for disbanding the Forces. Ibid., p. 235.
Sept. 14, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pelham.
	[Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer of] 12,000l. more [out of tallies] on the fifth payment of the Two Millions: to complete 62,000l. for half a year due to the Yards at Michaelmas last.
	The Earl of Ranelagh [attends]: his memorial is read.
	Sir Thomas Littleton and Sir Stephen Fox come in.
	Lord Lexinton is called in. My Lords tell him they have under consideration the providing [money] for the [ambassadorial service or] foreign ministers.
	[Order for the issue to the Earl of Ranelagh for services as follows:]
	for 2 months' subsistence to the Garrisons: in part of 8 months to July 13 last	1337	7	0
	for fire and candle to the Guards and Garrisons; which makes up 2,000l. in part of the year ended April 1 last	1000	0	0
	for 8 weeks for the Hospital at Chelsea to Oct. 23 next	1200	0	0
	in part of 3,430l. 10s. 0d. due 1697 March 31 to the Engineers	1000	0	0
	for 6 months' allowance to the [officers'] families of Lord Galway's Regiment of Horse to 1697 July 1	300	0	0
	in part of 225l. which remains to complete the allowance of 50l. a month to the families of Melioner's Regiment from 1695–6, Jan. 1, to 1696–7, Jan. 1	262	10	0
	the like for Count Marton's Regiment	262	10	0
	the like for Col. Belcastle's Regiment	262	10	0
	in part of 50l. 8s. 8d. remaining due for 2 days' pay in a year allowed by the Regiment of La Meloniere to the widows and orphans of his Regiment: to 1696–7, Jan, 1	25	4	4
	the like for Count Marton's Regiment	25	4	4
	the like for Belcastle's Regiment	25	4	4
	in part of 1,700l. for arrears of subsistence [to the Forces late] in Flanders, due to 2 Battalions of the First Regiment of Foot Guards: to be paid to Capt. Croxton	1000	0	0
	800l. each to the Regiments of Buchan and Lorne disbanded, in part of their arrear of subsistence grown due in Flanders	1600	0	0
	in part of 35,000l. on account of the arrears of subsistence in Flanders, to discharge debts contracted by several Regiments there in buying horses and levying recruits	25000	0	0
		£33300	0	0
	[Write] to the Receivers of the Two Millions to attend here tomorrow morning.
	The Trustees for Exchequer Bills [attend].
	Mr. Fox comes in. His petition is read. Treasury Minute Book Vol. X, pp. 236–7.
eodem die, afternoon.	Present: Mr. Pelham.
	[No entry of any minute]. Ibid., p. 237.
Sept. 15, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	Mr. Smith, the under sheriff, to have 1,672l. 12s. 11d. out of the Two Millions.
	[Order for the issue of] 31,144l. 1s. 8d. due by a list for ordinaries of Ambassadors and Envoys: to be paid out of the Two Millions.
	[Write] to Sir Christopher Wren to view, with the officers of the Exchequer, my Lord Mayor's building near the Exchequer and to report to my Lords.
	Sir Stephen Fox comes in.
	Mr. Secretary Vernon informs my Lords of a ship seized at Hamburg by Sir Paul Rycaut which came from Madagascar with pirates' goods. The magistrates there have subjected her to be proceeded against in England and that a sentence in England shall be complied with.
	My Lords think Sir Paul Rycaut should take care to send the ship and goods for England and that the goods be delivered into the King's warehouse; and that Rycaut be recompensed for his service in this matter.
	Capt. Martin Laycock to have 50l. [as of royal] bounty: out of secret service money.
	[Write] a letter to the Exchequer to pay the 10l. a week constantly to my Lord Cornbury. Ibid., p. 238.
Sept. 16, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: all the five Lords.
	Some petitions are read and answered [and the answers are margined or endorsed upon them].
	Mr. Bobin [attends] about French goods alleged to be imported in the ship Providence as Italian goods. My Lords will consider his reward when the [Customs] Commissioners come.
	[Write] to the Customs Commissioners to attend on Wednesday afternoon.
	My Lord Bellomont's letter of July 1 last is read with the copies and accounts enclosed. My Lords will speak with the Customs Commissioners on Wednesday afternoon. Write to Mr. Weaver to be here then.
	[Order for the] 554l. 15s. 6d. to Mr. Studholme to be considered when money is issued to the Works.
	[Order for] 22l. to Mr. Boyt: to be paid on his warrant.
	The Commissioners for Sick and Wounded [attend]. The petition of the inhabitants of Portsmouth and Gosport is read. Ordered that the Commissioners carry in all their accounts and vouchers during the time of their commission, to Auditor Bridges who is to examine the whole and make a state thereof with his observations thereupon to my Lords.
	Sir Charles Hedges [attends]. He says the ship and goods seized by Sir P. Rycaut at Hamburg may be brought hither and the goods deposited in the Customs warehouse and proceeded against in the Admiralty and he will order a sale (as [the goods are] perishable) as [and when] he shall hear from Secretary Vernon.
	[Order for the striking of] one tally for 691l. 15s. 0d. and another for 1,000l. to Sir Theodore Jansen (on his order) being for the first two payments of the King's subscription money to the Two Millions.
	The Receivers of the Two Millions [attend. My Lords order] a warrant for paying 20,000l. to them without account; being intended as in satisfaction of so much by them paid or allowed after the rate of 1 per cent. upon Two Millions subscribed on the 14th, 15th and 16th July last. This warrant to be satisfied by levying tallies on the Two Millions generally.
	Tallies are [ordered] to be levied for Mr. Thomas Hall for 340,000l. to pay off tallies on the Excise and Post Office: (which makes 450,000l. for that use): [to be levied] on the Receivers of the Two Millions, to wit 140,000l. on the seventh payment, 100,000l. on the eighth payment and 100,000l. on the ninth payment: and [my Lords order] a warrant to pay 8 per cent. interest on these tallies. Mr. Hall will take care in what [individual] sums these tallies shall be levied.
	[Write] to Mr. Lilly to be here on Tuesday.
	[Order for the] issue to the Treasurer of the Navy of 1,191l. for 14 days' subsistence for the 4 Marine Regiments, to wit from the 12th to the 26th inst.: to be issued out of loans on the Coal Duty Act.
	[Order for] 10,000l. more to the Navy Treasurer out of loans on Coal Duties: as in further part of 250,000l. for wages [of seamen]. Treasury Minute Book Vol. X, pp. 239–40.
Sept. 20. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: all the five Lords.
	[Write] to Mr. Vanburgh to be here in the afternoon concerning the Messengers [of the Chamber] employed in France.
	Prepare a warrant for 200l. to Mr. Hen. Killigrew [as of royal] bounty [as by the King's pleasure intimated] per the Lords Justices.
	[Write] to the Governor and Company of the Bank for some of them to attend my Lords to-morrow morning.
	[Write] to the Excise Commissioners and Mr. Story to attend on Thursday afternoon.
	[Write] to the officers of the Exchequer to attend to-morrow (though a holy day) and to give all diligence in the dispatch of the tallies and orders for the clothiers and others.
	[Write] to the Receivers of the Two Millions to be here to-morrow morning.
	[Write] to Mr. Smith of Beauford Buildings to be here then.
	[Write] to Mr. Twitty to certify my Lords how much is come into the Exchequer on the 300,000l. per an. out of the Customs [allocated] for payment of the loans and interest thereupon.
	[Order for the issue of] 3,013l. 13s. 4d. to the Commissioners for Sick and Wounded out of loans on the Coal Duty Act; whereof 13l. 13s. 4d. is to pay a bill due to the bailiff of Seaford and 3,000l. is in part of 12,000l. or thereabouts due to the towns of Portsmouth and Gosport and parts thereabouts. Of this sum two-fifths is to be reckoned [charged] to the head of [Navy] Victualling and threefifths to the head of [Navy] wages.
	Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer of 2,000l. out of loans on the Coal Duty Act; to be for clearing the short subsistence due to the non-commission officers and soldiers of the two old Marine Regiments and for paying the King's bounty to such of them as are to be discharged: as upon account.
	Order for the issue to same of 400l. out of the like loans; to be for the freight of Col. Blakiston and his equipage to Maryland whither he goes Governor.
	Mary Bourne to have 20l. in part of her husband's pretension. Ibid., p. 241.
Sept. 21, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Smith, Sir Tho. Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	Some petitions are read and answered [and the answers are endorsed thereon].
	[Order for] 200l. for Lord Ossulston's rent to be paid out of [such] tallies on the Two Millions [as] are in the Treasurer of the Chamber's hands.
	[Write] to Mr. Roberts and Mr. Babe to attend on Friday week.
	[Write] to the Commissioners of the Stamp Office to attend on Thursday week.
	Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer of 6,000l. out of loans on the Coal Duty Act; to be for wages [of seamen] as in further part of 250,000l.
	Order for the issue to the Earl of Ranelagh of 4,500l. out of loans on the 3s. Aid; as upon account for disbanding the Forces and as in further part of 250,000l.
	[Order for the issue to the] Victuallers of 10,000l. out of the Two Millions upon the [? seventh or eighth] payment: to wit 6,000l. thereof for the [Victualling] Course and 4,000l. for imprests.
	A warrant [is ordered] for Mr. Tompson's arrears as Solicitor [for Seizures]: but my Lords are pleased [to declare] that his place be sunk at Michaelmas ensuing and the charge saved to the King.
	[Write] to the [Principal] Officers of the Ordnance to attend on Tuesday morning about the East India Company's salt petre. Ibid., p. 242.
eodem die, afternoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	The Customs Commissioners [attend].
	[Write] to Mr. Hendly [Henley] and Mr. Overton to repair forthwith to the Custom House, there not being a quorum [of the Customs Commissioners available without them] to dispatch business: [address the letters to them the] first at Bristol, the other at Lord Sunderland's [Office].
	The Customs Commissioners are to reward Mr. Bobin (as much as they think he deserves) out of the 25 per cent. or the 25l. per ton of French goods by him discovered.
	Several of the Customs Commissioners' papers are read and answered [and the answers are endorsed upon them]. Ibid., p. 243.
Sept. 22, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	Some petitions are read and answered [and the answers are endorsed upon them].
	The Trustees for Exchequer Bills [attend. Their] memorial is read.
	The Gentlemen of the Bank [of England] attend. They will take tallies upon the Two Millions [in substitution or satisfaction of tallies] for 62,000l. [struck] on the Post Office revenue.
	They desire an order (pursuant to a clause in a late Act of Parliament) that Bank Bills may be taken at the Exchequer.
	The Receivers of the Two Millions [attend]. They will take care that Mr. Hall shall be furnished with 100,000l. upon his tallies on the Two Millions for paying off tallies [struck] on the Excise [and Post Office revenue].
	The Agents for Taxes [attend].
	Ibid., p. 244.
eodem die, afternoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: all the five Lords.
	The Commissioners of Excise [attend and] present a memorial about the state of the [Excise] accounts. Mr. Story is asked why no further progress is made [in them. He replies] the vinegar account gives the obstruction.
	A report about the Vinegar Duties is read.
	They are to advise with the Attorney and Solicitor General about this.
	[Write] to Mr. Pierce, Serjeant at Mercers Hall, to-morrow morning to attend the Commissioners to consider of an accountant and what clerks he must have and what allowances.
	Some reports are read. The answers are [endorsed] upon them.
	Mr. William Cox offers a proposal to prevent frauds about salt. There is nothing in't. Ibid., p. 245.
Sept. 23, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	[Royal] warrants for Lady Berkley, Mris. Berkley and Mris. May and for Sir Richard Bellingham are read and [are ordered] to be sent to Mr. Blaithwaite [to obtain the King's signature thereto].
	Mr. Bovet comes in [about seizures]. He says he thinks Underdowne received 1,000l. and a bond for 100l.
	Then the [Principal] Commissioners of Prizes come in with Samuell Winslow, Richard Baily and Hen. Baily and also Mr. John Underdowne, upon an information of Mr. Bovet concerning goods embezzled out of the St. Peter prize by Capt. Caldwell of the Anglesey and Capt. Cross of the Dover.
	Bovet refers to affidavits [made] before the Customs Commissioners that 15 bales were taken out of the prize and put on board the Anglesey. Samuell Winslow, midshipman on board the Anglesey, says he took the complements, marks and numbers of each bale. He says 17 or 18 parcels were opened which proved [to be] Flemish laces and judged the rest to be the same. There were 14 taken out of the prize and put on board the Dover. He exhibits a list of the marks and numbers. He produces the copy of a letter tending to this from Capt. Caldwell, the original being delivered by him to the Prize Office. Winslow also says that the sum which was to be divided amounted to 1,713l. 12s. 3d. amongst the men out of which there was deducted 650l., whether by order of the Captain or of the Commissioners of Prizes he knowns not. Mr. Buckridg said it was done by the Commissioners' order though Mr. Paschal had told him it should not be deducted. He took possession of the prize by the Captain's order and brought her to Plymouth and delivered her to the Prize Officers within two days but these goods were taken out before in the evening next after taking the prize. Each captain was present and by their command he handed them up. Others can testify the taking up the goods but none was trusted in the hold but himself, Winslow. The Spaniards, particularly the Escrivan valued at 17,000l. or 18,000l. these goods thus taken out and the whole cargo at 40,000l. They were all lace and some of them he was not able to handle or lift them himself.
	Mr. Pascall says they had none to sell but the worst sort of lace. All the 29 parcels were lace except one box of gold and silver ribbon with lace mixt. He saw 9 or 10 bales of those marks and numbers in Mr. Underdowne's hands but looser and they had been opened and they were not so big as before. These were in the Custom House in Mr. Underdowne's possession.
	Underdowne says he seized them at the Buoy in the Nore.
	Winslow says the Captain of the Anglesey pretended he kept the goods on board for security and intended to deliver them to the Prize Office, but lay at Portsmouth some time after he delivered the ship to the Prize Officers and never delivered those goods though he had frequent opportunity at Plymouth, Portsmouth and Guernsey and he never heard that he gave them any notice at all.
	Winslow says Underdowne did not seize all the bales that the Anglesey had, for the Captain delivered three afterwards to the Prize Office as he wrote to him, Winslow. He does not think the Captain would have delivered these three but [for fear] that the men would discover them, and he was informed by Joseph Picardine and Thomas Harman who told him they informed the Custom House officer at Plymouth of these 3 bales, who [the said officer] seized them there.
	Henry Baily, one of the boat's crew to Capt. Cross, says he knows nothing but a little lace in a bisquet bag sent to Capt. St. Loe, which he carried by direction of Capt. Cross. The pieces were told out of the bag. He believes there might be 100 pieces. A bisquet bag will hold a hundredweight of bread and 'twas near full.
	Winslow says some of this lace was 6 inches broad.
	Baily says he was not by when the lace was put into the bag.
	Winslow says the lace was put into the barge the Captain [being] present.
	Henry Baily says he does not remember the carrying the lace in the barge.
	Winslow says a bisquet bag will hold about 3 bushels, about the quantity of one of the biggest bales.
	Baily says St. Loe and his [Baily's] Captain [Cross] are very great together and St. Loe was aboard their ship the Dover. He never saw any of the bales now spoken of but those he carried to St. Loe's house. The Dover tarried about a month at Plymouth after she came in.
	Mr. Winslow says he gave the same account to the Commissioners of Prizes as he does now, about 19 months ago.
	Baily says nobody was present with him but the coxwain ("cockson") when he delivered the lace.
	Winslow says when the bales were taken out Caldwell was doubtful. Cross said "I am your Commodore and our pretence shall be for fear the goods be re-taken; and she being a Spanish ship the D[uke] of Bavaria may beg her [of the King] and we may lose all our labour."
	Richard Baily says he first made the information to Underdowne for which (and [for] drawing a petition to the Parliament) Capt. Caldwell confined him "and prickt the men run" that gave evidence. After he was released from confinement Commander St. Loe came and asked him what he had to say against his Captain: [he] answered he would not go to sea with Caldwell and laid down his warrant as carpenter.
	Mr. Underdowne proceeded against Capt. Caldwell till it cost him 150l. and had no encouragement from the Customs Commissioners, and so at last by order of those Commissioners he delivered his seizure to the Prize Office. Mr. Underdowne says he had 500l. from Mr. Crawley, a clerk of the Navy, by way of composition. He shews a copy of a letter from the Commissioners of Prizes of 25 Feb., 1696–7; his own memorial to the Customs Commissioners; the order of the Customs Commissioners of 27 Feb., 1696–7, for delivering the goods to the Prize Officers.
	Winslow says Mr. Buckeridge made the dividend for the Captain when the 650l. was deducted from the men out of their share: that they did warn the Prize Office that the Captain should not be trusted with their money: and Mr. Buckeridge said to him (Winslow) that after he (Winslow) went out from the Commissioners of Prizes at their office the said Commissioners had given order that the 650l. should be deducted from the men.
	Mr. Buckeridge positively denies this.
	Richard Baily shews the copy of a petition to the Commissioners of Prizes about this, which was delivered before the money was distributed.
	The 650l. was deducted from the whole, which affects the men's part.
	In the margin: a report was made [by the Treasury Lords] to the King in this matter 3rd January, 1698–9.
	[Order for] a warrant for 6 per cent. interest [to the Bank of England] for the loan of 38,228l. 0s. 4d. for which the Bank have tallies of pro on the Post Office [revenue].
	Mr. Serjeant attends with Mr. Story. He says he has made some little progress in the vinegar account and with two hands he thinks he can finish that account in three months. They will by Thursday week cast up the vouchers for the vinegar and present a charge [statement of the Receiver's debit] to my Lords.
	[Write] to the Officers of the Greencloth to know if there be any new establishments prepared by their Board upon any late direction of his Majesty; and if so, that they will be pleased to transmit it to this Board for my Lords' information. Treasury Minute Book Vol. X, pp. 246–8.
Sept. 27, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Pelham.
	Mr. Colliere, Mr. Thursby and Mr. Owen [who are going as] chaplains for Maryland are to have 20l. a piece; on a letter from the Bishop of London.
	The [Principal] Officers of the Ordnance [attend].
	[Write] to the Navy Commissioners to attend on Thursday morning about the Marine Regiments and other affairs. Ibid., p. 249.
Sept. 28, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	Mr. Rowe and my Lady Wood [attend]. My Lords will supersede and stop the process against the late Contractors for the Hearthmoney till the first day of next term, with a direction in the warrant that if the account be not declared by that day fresh process shall issue and be executed. Send a fresh order to the Auditor to prepare the account for declaration and to attend the Treasury therewith this day fortnight.
	Mr. Abbot [attends about] 1,600l. or thereabouts (in the margin 1,632l. 5s. 5d.) due to the Troop of Scotch Guards for a year's clearing to 1693 April 1. My Lords do intend it shall forthwith be paid.
	The Receivers of the Two Millions [attend. Order for] a warrant to be prepared for paying to the Treasurer of the New East India Company so much of the fund of 160,000l. per an. as belongs to the Joint stock and the rest to the Treasurer of the General Society.
	My Lords will allow the eight Receivers of the Two Millions 16,000l. in a gross sum for their pains in receiving, paying and accounting for the Two Millions and for all the charges attending the Commission, subscriptions or otherwise relating to the same, "except [or deducting] so much as is already paid by the King." Ibid., p. 250.
eodem die, afternoon.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Pelham.
	[Write] to Israel Hayes to be here to-morrow morning.
	The money due to the Consuls is to be issued on the next distribution to the Commissioners for Sick and Wounded. Mr. Powys to cast up the bills.
	Mr. Tailor is to pay Mr. Bovet's bill of about 11l. or 12l. (In the margin: paid).
	[Order for] Mr. Shales to review and to state anew the account of the late Lord Preston's estate. All the papers about those arrears are to be looked out.
	A letter to be prepared to represent to the King the contract made with Crook for the Phenix brewhouse.
	Several petitions are read [and the answers are endorsed upon them]. Ibid.
Sept. 29. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pelham.
	The letter to the Navy Board for [allowing to the Navy Treasurer in account] 6,062l. 19s. 3d. for discount of 83,885l. in Malt [Lottery] tickets is read and approved.
	The Navy Commissioners are called in. They may give a publication [public notice] for [payment to be made by] the Navy Chest at Chatham at any time within two months and the money shall be supplied.
	[Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer of] 10,000l.; to be applied for bills of exchange and imprests: [and to be issued] out of the tallies of 20,000l. part of 35,000l. now in the Navy Treasurer's hands (which [latter sum] was reserved for such uses as my Lords should appoint) [being to wit tallies struck] on the Receivers of the Two Millions.
	Mr. Dodington is to bring an account of what he has paid for the taxes of the Navy Commissioners and clerks of the Navy [Office] for the year 1697; and a letter [is] to be written to the [Navy] Board to make out a bill for it and to assign the same for payment [on or out of money in the Navy Treasurer's hands as above].
	Mr. Dodington presents an account amounting to 3,102l. 7s. 6d. for discounting tallies for 40,300l. on the late Poll Tax. A letter [is ordered] to be sent to the Navy Board to make out a bill for the said sum and to assign it for payment "on the same funds."
	[Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer of] 10,000l. of the 15,000l. [remaining] in money in the said Treasurer's hands (which was received out of the Two Millions): to be applied to the Victualling viz. 6,000l. for the [Victualling] Course and 4,000l. for imprests. This is part of the 35,000l. reserved for such uses as my Lords should appoint.
	The Comptroller of the Stamp Office having already 200l. per an. for himself and 40l. per an. a piece for three clerks my Lords upon reading a report of the [Stamps] Commissioners dated 17 August, 1698, resolve that he have an addition of 100l. per an. to himself, 10l. per an. addition to each of his three clerks and 50l. per an. for a new or fourth clerk; to commence from this day: but care must be taken it be not continued after the time the Double Duty ceases.
	Upon reading their report concerning Mr. Pennyman, the Receiver [of the Duties on Stamped Paper &c.] my Lords agree that he have an additional salary of 100l. per an. for two clerks at 50l. per an. each from Sept. 29, 1698.
	"There needs no further warrant about [the Stamp Office] incidents." Ibid., p. 251.
Sept. 30, forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Pelham.
	Mr. Samuel Winslow having done the King and the public good service in detecting a very great fraud and my Lords observing in him a good capacity and looking upon him to be a person very honest and fit to be entrusted do recommend him to "them" [the Customs Commissioners] to have the command of one of the [Customs] vessels for guard of the coast: and desire them to present him to their Lordships accordingly against their [Lordships'] next sitting.
	Write to Mr. Roberts and Mr. Babe to be here this day week. Treasury Minute Book Vol. X, p. 252.