Minute Book: March 1701 | British History Online

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 16, 1700-1701. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1938.

Citation:

'Minute Book: March 1701', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 16, 1700-1701, ed. William A Shaw( London, 1938), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol16/pp49-57 [accessed 23 November 2024].

March 1701



March 1.	Present: all the five Lords, together with the Earl of Bridgewater, Sir David Mitchel and Mr. Churchill.
	My Lords will lay the order for impressing seamen before the King to-morrow. The last part of it concerning directions to the Custom House officers is to be sent to the Customs Commissioners to execute. The Admiralty [Lords] go out.
	The letter for Dr. Hutton is read and approved: likewise the letter for Mr. Bludworth: likewise the letter for Capt. Saumazan.
	[Order for] 1260l. to be issued to the Cofferer for Monsieur Chaigneau for wine. Treasury Minute Book XII, p. 222.
March 3, Monday forenoon.	Present: Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Mr. Hill.
	Direct the Customs Commissioners to dismiss — Martin, who is Mayor of Winchelsea, from his office relating to the Customs.
	Copy the minute about Mr. Brokeby.
	[Write] to the Excise Commissioners to be here to-morrow.
	[Order for] 1974l. 5s. 0d. out of loans on the Exchequer for the Guards and Garrisons to be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh for subsistence [money] to march several Horse and Dragoons from their quarters.
	Write to the Auditors to attend at 9 a clock.
	[Order for] 400l. out of the [above]said loans: to be issued [to the Earl of Ranelagh] for a Company of Selwyn's Regiment going to Bermudas.
	[Order for] 200l. more to be paid to Mr. Larkin on his order. Ibid., p. 223.
March 4, Tuesday forenoon.	Present: Sir Stephen Fox; Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. Boyle; Mr. Hill.
	[Write] to the Customs Commissioners to be here this afternoon. Ibid., p. 224.
eodem die afternoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	Desire my Lords of the Admiralty and the Navy Commissioners to be here to-morrow morning on the proposals for furnishing hemp for the Navy on commission.
	[Write] to the Earl of Ranelagh and the Auditors of Imprests to be here on Thursday morning instead of to-morrow.
	The Customs Commissioners [attend]. Their papers are read.
	The Excise Commissioners the like. Ibid.
March 5, Wednesday forenoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	Col. Gibson is called in.
	The Admiralty Lords come in about the proposal to furnish hemp by commission. The papers are delivered to Mr. Burchet. The said Lords will consider them. Ibid., p. 225.
eodem die. Kensington.	Present: [? as above.]
	The 100l. ordered for Lord Blayny is to be paid per Mr. Lowndes.
	The King comes in.
	The letter from Col. Billingsley at Berwick about the gunners there [is read]. My Lords are [directed by the King] to inform themselves from the Customs Commissioners whether they are useful to prevent the running of goods. There is no room for them in the 300,000l.
	My Lords remind the King of the present charge for fire and candle [for the Garrisons] which if it continues will [cause the charge of the Forces to] exceed the 300,000l. The Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwayt are to make out a state how the Contingencies stand and particularly as to fire and candle and to lay the same before my Lords.
	Atwood and Broughton [their case is considered]: they are to have half a year advanced on their salaries, giving an assignment of the first half year's salary growing due to them to repay the King when it becomes due.
	[Mr. Arundell's petition is read]. The grant to Lady Parkins is to be charged with 200l. to him.
	Mrs. Abbot's petition [is read]. The Earl of Ranelagh is to propose something to be done for her.
	Bartholomew Vanderhoven [his petition is read: ordered that] the 27l. 15s. 0d. and 10l. in Mr. Borret's hands be paid into the Exchequer and the value be given to Mr. Vanderhoven.
	Edward Lloyd [his petition is read concerning] his pension [payable] per Mr. Nicholas (which he had before the Queen died). It is to be considered whether there will be any consequences as to others in continuing it.
	Rachel Graves [her petition is read]. The King will not enter into the payment of King Charles II's debts.
	Consul Smith [his petition is read: ordered that] his pension is to be continued.
	Elizabeth Cooper, widow of Arnold Cooper [her petition is read]: not granted.
	The list of pensions payable by Henry Baker is read. They are to be continued.
	Sir Robert Killigrew [his petition is read: order for] a warrant for a year and he's to be paid constantly hereafter but no dormant warrant.
	Mr. Latten [his petition is read: ordered] to be paid half a year for the Harriers. Ibid.
March 6, Thursday forenoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	[Order for] 100l. a week to be issued to the Works for new works in the Gardens and Parks from March 4 instant for 26 weeks.
	Desire the Lord Chief Baron and the Agents [for Taxes] to be here to-morrow.
	Direct all the officers of the Exchequer to be here on Friday evening.
	Look out Col. Holt's papers against to-morrow morning and desire the Earl of Ranelagh to be here then about the same and about his own accounts [as Paymaster of the Forces].
	[Ordered that] 25l. a year out of the salary of Munings and 25l. a year out of the salaries of the two junior landwaiters [London port] be paid to John Wilcox.
	[Order for the issue to Mr. Lowndes of] 1000l. for secret service. Ibid., p. 226.
March 7. Friday forenoon.	Present: Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. Hill.
	The Earl of Montagu [comes in.]
	Write to the Auditors [of Imprests] and the Earl of Ranelagh to attend on Monday morning.
	The Admiralty Lords come in. It is their opinion that my Lords [should] lose no time in complying with the proposal of [two names erased: evidently referring to tenders for the supply of hemp, see infra, p. 55 under date March 24].
	Desire the Navy Commissioners to be here next Tuesday about the contracts for furnishing hemp by Commission.
	[Order for the] issue of 5000l. more to the Victuallers to buy flesh.
	The Chamberlain of London to be here this afternoon.
	The [direction] letter for 1670l. for the widows of slain officers is read and approved. Treasury Minute Book XII, p. 227.
March 7, afternoon.	Present: Lord Godolphin; Mr. Hill.
	The officers of the Exchequer are called in. My Lords exhort them to give constant attendance daily according to the Act. Mr. Twitty and the rest say they do constantly attend. Ibid.
March 10, Monday forenoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	Prepare an account against to-morrow morning of the sum lent on the Votes of Credit, how much issued and to what uses and what remains in cash.
	Make a particular account of the application of the 600,000l. in the Disbanding Act and what demands thereupon are still made.
	[Write] to Mr. Ryly to be here on Friday morning about Mr. Young's business.
	The Auditors of Imprests are to see the great accounts prepared by the Earl of Ranelagh and consider the nature of the same and whether it will be best to make them up in one or two accounts or annually: and to report to my Lords their opinion as to the dispatch of the said accounts and the laying them forefore the King and the [Treasury] Board. Ibid, p. 228.
March 11, Tuesday forenoon.	Present: Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Mr. Hill.
	Memorandum: to speak to the King about the 800l. per week to the Coffer for emptions and the making of the contracts with the purveyors.
	The Auditors of Imprests and Mr. Misson attend. He promises the vouchers shall be delivered to the Auditors in a short time.
	The Navy Commissioners [attend]. They say they do buy small quantities of hemp as they can get them.
	[Order for the issue to the Earl of Ranelagh of] 26374l. 18s. 0d. to clear the subsistence to the 19th inst according to Mr. Pauncefoot's paper: to be paid out of loans on the Vote for 50,000l.: which [issue] will make up 43349l. 3s. 0d. paid in part thereof.
	Order [for the following issues to the Navy Treasurer] out of loans on the Vote for 500,000l. for the Navy.
		£
	for half a year to the Yards to 1700 June 24	75000
	for the Course	120000
	for Contingencies of the Navy under the head of Wear and Tear	45000
	Desire Mr. Eyles and Mr. Heathcote to be here to-morrow morning at nine o'clock. Ibid., p. 229.
March 12.	Present: Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. Hill.
	Direct the Agents [for Taxes] to take the new bonds from Mr. Mason's sureties in the form approved by the Attorney General and as was agreed at their last attendance on this Board; and that they amend the draft of the warrant to recite the bonds accordingly.
	[order for the issue of] 10,000l. to the Navy; to be applied to the Victualling for the Course and 5000l. to buy flesh: to be issued out of loans on the Vote of Credit for 500,000l. Ibid., p. 230.
eodem die. Kensington.	Present: the King; Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Mr. Hill.
	Edward Corker [his petition is read]. Refer [it] to the Lords Justices of Ireland to state the case and to report.
	Henry Lowman [his petition is read: order for] 150l. per an. in lieu of bills: as from 1699 June 24.
	The out pensioners of Chelsea Hospital [their petition is read]. There is no room [on the Establishment of the Forces] to relieve them out of the Contingent money: but speak with my Lord Ranelagh.
	Henry Paget [his petition is] read.
	[My Lords read the] estimate of provisions furnished and [now] furnishing by the Great Wardrobe. Enquire whether the King has usually allowed for the robes of the Knights of the Garter. The King thinks there should be some comptroll on the Wardrobe. Sir Stephen Fox will bring precedents.
	The Lord Fairfax and William Russell [their] memorial [is read] for coining small money for Ireland &c. The Earl of Rochester is to be spoken with.
	Ann Scarborough [her petition is read]: her arrear is to be paid in course as others are paid.
	Emanuel Scroop How's petition [is read and] granted.
	Monsieur Chagneau [his petition is read] for 1570l. for wine [supplied] in Holland: [ordered] to be paid upon the next scheme [of payments].
	William Young [his petition is read]. The King adheres to his former resolution and he will allow to Mr. Young for the meadows as much as the rent paid by Mr. English amounts to.
	Col. Holt [his petition is read]. Desire the Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwayt to bring in their report.
	John Hodgson [his petition is read]. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
	[The petition from] King Charles I's Hospital in Westminster is read.
	La Martinere [his petition is read]. It is impossible to pay the arrears of such pensions.
	William Folchier Despierres [his petition is read]. He was not in a Regiment under English pay and so cannot have half pay.
	The officers of the Regiment of the Marquis de Miremont [their petition is read]. They cannot be paid unless a power be given by Parliament to the Commissioners of Accounts to give them certificates; whereupon they may have debentures for Irish lands.
	Mr. Higgons alias Caesar's petition is read. Direct the Surveyor General to consult the Navy Commissioners and to report speedily.
	Mr. Tilson to pay . . . . Ibid., p. 231.
March 14, Friday forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: all the five Lords.
	[order for the issue of] 1000l. out of loans: [to be] for procuring [or pressing] seamen. Treasury Minute Book XII, p. 232.
March 17 forenoon.	Present: ut supra.
	No entry of any minute. Ibid., p. 233.
March 18, Tuesday forenoon.	Present: Lord Godolphin; Mr. Hill.
	The [Treasury] doors to be shut this afternoon.
	[order for the issue of] a warrant for a year for the Christchurch Hospital boys. Ibid., p. 234.
eodem die afternoon.	Present: Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Mr. Hill.
	Mr. Young and Mr. Ryley to attend on Friday morning and Ryley to be then spoken to about Lord Peterborough's letter concerning some trees about to be felled in Windsor Forest.
	Mr. Stratford [is to be] desired to be here to-morrow morning.
	Mr. Gould comes in and acquaints my Lords that now the time for sending for the hemp draws nigh and desires to know if my Lords agree with his terms. My Lords tell him they do and desire him to proceed in his contract with the Navy Commissioners.
	[order for] 1570l. for Monsieur Chagneau to be paid on 4 June next. Ibid.
March 19, afternoon. Kensington.	Present: the King; Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Mr. Boyle; Mr. Hill.
	[Order for] 500l. to Lord Raby whom the King is sending to make a compliment to the King of Prussia.
	The Earl of Ranelagh to attend on Friday morning.
	The report of the Surveyor [General of Crown Lands is read] on Mr. London's petition for a lease of part of the Wilderness. The King agrees to it.
	Mr. Webb late fowl keeper [in St. James's Park: his petition is read]. His arrears to be stated.
	The Knights of the Garter [their petition is read]. See what Garter robes were furnished in the last two reigns.
	Sir Ed. Harrison's proposal for victualling by contract is read and dismissed.
	Mr. Hen. Paget [his petition is read]. The King orders him 50l. or 60l.
	Capt. Gilbert Edward's petition [is read]. Ordered that Mr. Crawford give notice when there is a vacancy in Chelsea College and that the Captain be put into it.
	Col. Lillingston's petition [is read]. Referred to the Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwayt.
	Carew Rawlegh his petition [is read] praying the continuance of his salary as Page of Honour during life. Respited.
	Lord Falkland's petition is read. [Order for] 100l. now but no settled pension.
	Dr. Monginot [his petition is read: ordered] to have 5s. a day on the Civil List Establishment Ireland.
	Dr. Fairclough's petition is read. Nothing can be done in it.
	The petition is read from the Members of Parliament and Justices of Peace for the County of York praying that the ruinous walls of the King's Manor House in York may be given them towards building a County gaol. Referred to the Surveyor General of Crown Lands. Ibid., p. 235.
March 21, Friday forenoon. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Mr. Boyle; Mr. Hill.
	Sir John Wolstenholme and Mr. Frewen come in and make their demands of perpetual interest out of the Hereditary Excise [arising out of the Bankers' debt].
	Sir John Wolstenholme's demand being thus— "By virtue of the patent of Charles II dated 1678–9 March 12 granted to my father Sir Thomas Wolstenholm bart. deceased for an annual rent or sum of 561l. 6s. 8d. out of the Hereditary Excise I demand" 9963l. 13s. 4d. for 17¾ years' arrears due from 1683 Lady day to 1700 Xmas: dated 21 March 1700–1.
	Similarly Mr. Thomas Frewin demands 14661l. 10s. 0d. for same years' arrears on an assignment of 180l. per an. from Sir Robert Vyner dated 1678 April 18 to Stephen Frewen deceased, father of said Thomas; and on a like assignment of 240l. per an. dated 1678 April 18 from said Vyner to William Bigge; and on a like assignment of 406l. per an. dated 1679 Sept. 25 from said Vyner to said Thomas Frewen.
	The above demands were read to my Lords by the above named Sir John Wolstenholme and Mr. Frewen and the originals in writing left at the Treasury.
	Write to the [King's] Remembrancer [of the Exchequer Court] to deliver to the Agents for Taxes copies of such bonds as they shall desire of John Mason late Receiver of Taxes for co. Cambridge.
	Direct Mr. Charles Mason to be here on Monday morning about money that he owes to Morgan Whitley.
	My Lords will hear Mr. Tunstal and Lady Perkins on Tuesday next.
	[Orderd that] 1100l. is to be paid by the Victuallers to John Houblon junr. and Company assignees of Sir William Hedges upon 2 bills of 3000 dollars at 59d. per dollar and 1500 dollars at 58d. per dollar drawn by Thomas Harvey at Cadiz for money furnished there for the service of the Victuallers. Ibid., p. 236.
March 24 forenoon.	Present: Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Mr. Boyle; Mr. Hill.
	[Write] to the Agents for Taxes to call for Mr. Charles Mason forthwith to pay into the Exchequer the 300l. or thereabouts which he owes to Morgan Whitley upon the account of said Whitley as Receiver of the Duties on Marriages &c. and to take a tally for same in Whitley's name provided Whitley do give him a discharge for so much: to which end the Agents are also to call upon Mr. Whitley.
	Ordered that process issue against the heirs &c. of Ph. Packer late Paymaster of the Works to compel them to prosecute and finish their accounts.
	Write to the Navy Commissioners that they having laid before my Lords the several propositions of furnishing hemp by commission my Lords do esteem the proposal of Mr. Nash and John Gold for providing 1200 tons at 2½ per cent. commission to be most advantageous for his Majesty and do direct them to proceed thereupon according to the scheme of the contract as transmitted to my Lords with the abstracts of all the proposals. Ibid., p. 237.
March 25. Tuesday forenoon.	Present: Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Chancellor Boyle, Mr. Hill.
	Mr. Tonstal demands for the estate of Sir William Parkins money for which he is bound, money which he has paid for him, money for a share of the Six Clerks' Office. Sir B. Shore for Lady Perkins says that Tonstal's demands exceed the King's charity to the lady. There was only 3–400l. borrowed by Tonstal and Sir William [Perkins] was only security: here is no demands [such as] can affect the lands. Represent this matter to the King.
	Mr. Graham and Mr. Bodington [appear] with their counsel concerning applying the offreckonings of the year 1700 to the [payment for the army] clothing. The parties agree to submit to my Lords' determination. Sir Thonas Powys [for Mr. Graham] says by Act of 9 Wm. III c. 24 clause 3 fo. 464, the money was appointed to the offreckonings of anno 1697 and Bodington took advantage of that. By the Act 11 Wm. III c. 2 clause 143 fo. 152 the money is app[ropriated] to the offreckonings of the year 1700 and now he [Bodington] would hinder Mr. Graham having the same advantage. The words [of the said Acts] are read and are found to differ for in the first Act the clothing of the year 1697 is directed to be paid out of the offreckonings of 1697 but tis not so in the later Act.
	Sir B. Shore [for Bodington] says offreckonings and clothing in common parlance mean the same thing and so both Acts mean the same thing. Mr. Ettrick on the other side insists on the difference of the Acts and upon the course of the [Army Paymaster's] Office and that if Bodington cannot be paid in course he is precluded for ever; and that his clothes [were] served for part of the year 1700. Mr. Dod [speaks] to the same purpose.
	My Lords desire that Mr. Heathcott will continue in the [Exchequer Bills] Circulating Office.
	Order for 100l. each to Phillips, Povey, Lesly and Sherborne on their orders. Treasury Minute Book XII, p. 238.
March 26. Wednesday forenoon.	Present: Sir Stephen Fox; Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. Hill.
	Order for the issue of 201l. 3s. 0d. to the Earl of Ranelagh out of loans on the Vote, 151l. 3s. 0d. thereof to clear the offreckonings of the old Company at Newfoundland to 1701 [sic for 1700?] Dec. 24 and 50l. for one year for fire and candle and contingencies: to be reckoned as part of the 300,000l. for this year. Ibid., p. 239.
eodem die. Kensington.	Present: the King and four Lords as above.
	One week's subsistence is to be issued to the Forces.
	The petition of the Half Pay Officers is read.
	The petition of Charles Fox Esq. [is read]. My Lord Coningsby ought to be heard. My Lord Godolphin to speak to him.
	Mary Stedman [her petition is read]. She is to stand only on Mr. Nicholas' list.
	The Bishop of Worcester's letter is read concerning the money he receives of Mr. Nicholas for charities. There are 7 quarters due at Xmas 1700. The King orders them to cease from Xmas 1700 but to be paid until that time. Half of the arrear is to be paid at present. Signify this to the bishop.
	The Bishop of London's memorial [is read] for 100l. a year for the English Congregation at Boston. "Continue to pay it forwards."
	Edward Lloyd [his petition is read]. His pension is to be continued.
	The petition of Lieut. Col. Gore et al [is read and] referred to the Earl of Ranelagh. Ibid.
March 27, Thursday. Cockpit, Treasury Chambers.	Present: Lord Godolphin, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Boyle.
	Write the letters to the Exchequer for the weekly and other payments viz., [on the Establishments as follows]:
		£	s.	d.
	to the Works	18535	13	1
	to the Cofferer for emptions	31200
	Lord Cornbury per week	10
	Mr. Killigrew, per week	4	0	0
	Privy Purse	27300	0	0
	Stables	15600
	Gardens and Establishment	2600	0	0
	Ibid., p. 240.
March 28, Friday forenoon.	Present: Lord Godolphin; Sir Stephen Fox; Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. Hill.
	Mr. Lumby [is called in]. The Excise Commissioners will be here on Tuesday afternoon.
	The Attorney General comes in and the Solicitor General. My Lords do determine that the offreckonings of the year 1700 be applied according to the course of the [army] Pay Office [viz.] for payment of the clothing first served and that this rule do determine the case between Mr. Bodington and Mr. Grahme which they submitted to my Lords.
	[Write] to Sir John Conyers, Mr. Ferrar, Mr. Pickering, the Agents [for Taxes] and Mr. Mason to be here on Monday morning.
	My Lords will hear Mr. Spendlove and Mr. Green by their Counsel on Monday week.
	Mr. Conyers' warrant of 440l. [is ordered] to be paid. Ibid., p. 241.
March 31, Monday forenoon.	Present: Lord Godolphin; Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. Hill.
	[Ordered that] 678l. 10s. 9½d. on Mr. Bridges' order is to be now paid.
	The Agents for Taxes [are called in] with Sir John Conyers, Mr. Pickering et al. Mr. Pickering will sign the bond. Ibid., p. 242.
eodem die afternoon.	Present: Earl of Rochester; my Lords as above and Sir Stephen Fox.
	The privy seal of Mr. Stanyan et al for their allowances on their account is read. They are to bring in their further demands and my Lords will hear them thereupon this day week.
	The Earl of Rochester goes out.
	[Order for] 500l. to Mrs. Howard in part of her pension.
	[Order for the issue to Mr. Lowndes of] 1000l. for Secret Service.] Ibid.