Minute Book: February 1711 | British History Online

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 25, 1711. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1952.

Citation:

'Minute Book: February 1711', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 25, 1711, ed. William A Shaw( London, 1952), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol25/pp11-21 [accessed 24 November 2024].

February 1711



Feb. 1, forenoon.	Present. Earl Poulett, Sir Thomas Mansell, Mr. Benson.
	[My Lords] ordered 41,268l. 19s. 9d. to the Treasurer of the Navy: out of Exchequer Bills: to complete 83,268l. 19s. 9d. for services mentioned in a minute entered the 25th ult.
	[My Lords order a] letter to the [exchange] remitters to give their bills for the 60,000l. for the Forces in Flanders. Ibid., p. 141.
Feb. 2, forenoon.	Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Pagett, Sir Thomas Mansell, Mr. Benson.
	[My Lords order a] letter to the Customs Commissioners to cause Mr. [Benjamin] Johnson to be instructed in the business of the Customs in order to qualify him for some employment in that revenue.
	The creditors of the Navy [are] called in. They present a memorial which is read. The Chancellor of the Exchequer tells them he hopes in a very few days there will be a method proposed for a satisfactory provision for the debts of the Navy and Victualling [up] to this [present] time and that the current services thereof will be carried on by the supplies of this year.
	Sir Thomas Webster says the talk of the alteration of the Course [of payments of their debts] did very much affect the credit of the Navy bills.
	Mr. Joy says if provision be made out of this year's grants by Parliament for paying a year and three months to the [Navy] Course and [if] the Parliament declare that the Course [of payment of Navy bills] shall be kept [inviolate] he is very sure 'twill give them all satisfaction.
	The Chancellor of the Exchequer says nobody surely can think that the Course [of payments] will be altered.
	Mr. Martyn opens the great service done to the nation by the creditors of the Navy and the huge difficulties they labour under and prays my Lords to order some payment to the [Navy] Course.
	My Lords [reply that they] will consider their memorial to-morrow morning.
	[My Lords direct] 70,000l. to be issued to Mr. Brydges in Malt tallies which are to lie in his hands in lieu of so much [an equal amount] of the Land Tax tallies of this year which were intended for Sir Henry Furnese (within [the total of such tallies so far registered and charged thereupon amounting to] 1,410,000l.) for the credits he undertook to give at Lisbon for the service [of her Majesty's Forces in] Spain.
	My Lords order the Treasurer of the Navy to pay over to Walter Whitfeild, Paymaster of the Marines, 17,000l. out of this year's Land Tax tallies in his hands [to be] for satisfying the two thirds pay and other services expressed in said Whitfeild's memorial [which was this day read], he giving it under his hand that the said tallies shall not go to market or be disposed of to the prejudice of the public credit.
	Mr. Peyton [is] called in. He acquaints my Lords that the East India Company do propose to take off 100 tons of tin forthwith at the rate of 70l. a ton and to pay for the same in Exchequer Bills on March 25 next.
	My Lords direct that the Company do put their proposal in writing and their Lordships will agree thereunto in regard it is for the encouraging of an undertaking that is like to be of advantage to her Majesty and the public by enlarging the tin trade.
	Sir John Lambert and others [concerned with him in exchange remittances] present a proposal dated this day for remitting 60,000l. for the Forces in Flanders by giving their bills for [on] Amsterdam payable at 2½ usance and their bills for [on] Antwerp payable at sight, both at the rate of 10 guilders 6 stivers current money per pound sterling and for the [re]payment of the same to take 30,000l. in tallies on the fourteenth 4s. Aid [the Land Tax anno 1711] payable after 1,300,000l. [of tallies then standing charged on the register of loans thereon] and 30,000l. out of the first money (after the Bank [be satisfied]) that shall arise by the intended Lottery.
	My Lords are pleased to agree to the said proposal and direct a letter [to be sent] to the said remitters to [request them to] give their bills for the said 60,000l. by this night's post.
	[My Lords direct the issue out of Civil List funds of] 1,000l. to Mr. Lowndes for secret service. Treasury Minute Book XVIII, pp. 142–3.
Feb. 3, forenoon.	Present: ut supra.
	Sir John Lambert [is] called in. He prays payment of what is due to him on bills of exchange for moneys supplied by his correspondents at Lisbon amounting to about 13,000l., which he was to be paid in like manner as Sir Henry Furnese was paid [for the] like bills for what [money] was supplied by his [Furnese's] correspondents there.
	My Lords are pleased to agree that Sir John shall be paid the said bills out of the Lottery money [anno 1711].
	[The Principal] Officers of the Ordnance are called in. Their memorial of this day is read. [Thereupon my Lords] ordered 16,000l. to the Treasurer of the Ordnance out of loans in the Exchequer on the Land Tax anno 1711, viz. 8,000l. for land service and 8,000l. for sea service of the Ordnance.
	[Send word to the] Victuallers [the Commissioners of the Victualling] to be here on Tuesday morning on their letter to the Admiralty about their contracts [the contracts which they have given out] "when my Lords will also consider the memorial of the dealers on the Course." Ibid., p. 144.
Feb. 8, forenoon.	Present. ut supra.
	Mr. Howe [Paymaster of Guards and Garrisons is] called in. His memorial is read for 15,459l. 18s. 0d. for subsisting the six Troops of Horse Guards, the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, Sir Richard Temple's Dragoons and Col. Ker's Dragoons and Col. Kirke's Regiment of Foot from Dec. 23 last to Feb. 22 inst. inclusive; and 6,871l. 1s. 4d. for a further 28 days' subsistence to the said Troops to March 20 next, they being to embark: making a total of 22,330l. 19s. 4d.
	My Lords desire Mr. Howe to procure in the best way he can [a loan to the amount of the above item of] 15,459l. 18s. 0d. on the Land Tax tallies anno 1711 in his hands [ranking on the register of loans on said tax] after about 1,000,000l. [already charged or ranking thereon].
	Send word to Mr. Crisp and Mr. Terril to attend here to-morrow morning with one of their books for computing the Duties on unrated East India goods. Ibid., p. 145.
Feb. 9, forenoon.	Present: Earl Poulett, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Pagett, Mr. Benson.
	[My Lords direct the issue of] 20,000l. to the Treasurer of the Ordnance out of loans to be made by him on credit of the Malt Duty.
	Francis Arundell, Esq., to be Surveyor of the Outports loco Mr. Waterson deceased.
	Mr. Crisp and Mr. Main [are] called in and shew the [Customs] books in which there is an account of the entries of unrated East India goods, with other entries. My Lords direct them to make out an account of the value of the goods of one sale at the candle and of the Duties paid and to attend therewith next Monday morning. Ibid., p. 146.
Feb. 12, forenoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	Mr. Terrell and Mr. Crisp [are] called in. They acquaint my Lords that they believe they can make an account of all the sales of East India goods unrated and the Duties paid for the same in a few days. My Lords direct them to make out the same with all expedition and to attend therewith on Saturday next.
	Petitions are read and [the minutes of my Lords' decisions and] answers [thereto are endorsed] thereupon. My Lords will read petitions again next Wednesday.
	[Write to] Mr. Baron Scrope to attend next Wednesday morning in relation to the Establishment of the Officers of the Customs in Scotland. Treasury Minute Book XVIII, p. 147.
Feb. 13, forenoon.	Present all the five Lords.
	The creditors of the Navy are called in. The Chancellor of the Exchequer tells them they [my Lords] are taking all the care that may be of the Navy debt. Sir T. Webster desires they [the creditors] may have the tallies intended for the [Navy] Course [an arrangement] which will not interfere with the provision the Parliament may make for them [the creditors]. Sir Thomas says if their Lordships will order tallies [to be put into the creditors' hands] they will undertake they [the said tallies] shall not go to market, for they will leave 'em in the hands of the Treasurer of the Navy. Mr. Gold speaks to the same effect. They pray that [further or other] tallies may be so ordered [as] to carry the course to the last of March 1708.
	Mr. Brydges [is] called in. Upon discoursing with him my Lords think it will be meet for her Majesty's service not to make any standing agreement for the [exchange] remittances till the Lottery is further advanced and [the national] credit amended [by such Parliamentary supply] and the exchange (which is now falling) rendered thereby more favourable to the public: but in the meantime [my Lords] will take care to provide remittances in the most easy manner that may be, to wit 50,000l. by this post and as much on Friday and about 50,000l. a post [each post] in the four succeeding weeks (struck through) posts.
	The [exchange contractors or] remitters [are] called in and present their proposals dated this day and signed by Sir Theodore Janssen, [Sir] John Lambert and E. Gibbon, offering to give their bills for [on] Amsterdam at 2½ usance and for [on] Antwerp at the rate of sight for 50,000l. at the exchange rate of 10 guilders 4 stivers current money per pound sterling and to take in payment 40,000l. in tallies on the fourteenth 4s. Aid [the Land Tax anno 1711] payable [in the loan Register course thereof] between 1,300,000l. and 1,400,000l. and the remaining 10,000l. in the said tallies payable under [or before a total charge or registration on the said course of] 1,800,000l.
	My Lords agree to the said proposal and direct a letter [to be sent] to the said remitters to give their bills [accordingly] for 50,000l. by this night's post.
	[My Lords order that] duplicates of the letters sent from the Navy Commissioners to Mr. Lowndes [as Treasury Secretary] relating to demands for services of the Navy are to be given to Mr. Hawes from time to time till a Treasurer of the Navy is appointed [in order] that he [Hawes] may lay proper states and memorials for the same before my Lords.
	The Treasury Lords direct Mr. Walpole to raise 3,000l. on a deposit of 3,500l. of tallies and orders on the twelfth 4s. Aid [the Land Tax anno 1709: the said loan to be raised] in Exchequer Bills and to be repaid in two months in specie with interest at the rate of 6 per cent. per an. The said sum is to be applied towards paying tickets assigned (pursuant to Act of Parliament [9 Anne, c. 15, § 30]) for the month of January and to be placed to the head of Wages [of seamen] anno 1709. Ibid., pp. 148–9.
Feb. 14. forenoon.	Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Pagett, Sir Thomas Mansell, Mr. Benson.
	My Lords being informed that there is a vacancy [in the post] of Agent of the Packet Boats at Falmouth do desire them [the Postmasters General] not to fill up the said vacancy till they [the Postmasters] have formed some new regulations for preventing the frauds and abuses committed too often by the said Agents "and if they want my Lords' assistance therein they are ready to give it."
	Mr. Brydges is to assign to the Treasurer of the Ordnance 20,000l. of the tallies on Malt anno 1711 in his hands: to wit those registered after the first 70,000l. issued to him in those tallies: and at the same time he is to take from the said Treasurer of the Ordnance assignments of tallies and orders on the said fund [of Malt anno 1711 ranking on the register thereof] after about 406,000l.
	My Lords at the instance of Baron Scrope do give leave to Mr. Whetham, one of the Commissioners of Excise, Scotland, to come to London for some time about his own affairs; and do order a letter accordingly.
	Issue to the Treasurer of the Chamber and Cofferer of the Household so much as will complete what is due in their Offices to Lady day 1710.
	My Lords direct Mr. Brydges to deposit with the Bank of England 22,000l. of the tallies in his hands on the General Mortgage anno 1710 for 20,000l. to be advanced by them in Exchequer Bills: to be repaid in money in two months with interest at 6 per cent. per an.: which sum is to be applied to such uses as my Lords shall direct. In the margin: "Cancelled and directed as on the 15th Feb. inst."
	My Lords order Mr. Howe to borrow of the Bank a sum of 15,000l. in Exchequer Bills upon a deposit of Land Tax tallies anno 1711 in his hands: to be repaid in specie in two months with interest as above. Ibid., p. 150 [p. 151 is headed Whitehall Treasury Chambers, 15 Feb. 1710 forenoon, but is left blank].
Feb. 15, [? forenoon or afternoon].	Present: "Lords of the Treasury."
	Ordered that the Bank be desired to lend to Mr. Brydges for the service of the Forces 20,000l. upon a deposit of the General Mortgage tallies [with interest] at the rate of 6 per cent. per an.: the loan to be received in Exchequer Bills and to be repaid with interest out of the first money to come in by the Lottery [anno 1711].
	Also that the Bank be desired to lend to Mr. How for the Guards and Garrisons the sum of 15,000l. upon a deposit of his Land Tax tallies and upon the same terms: and that Mr. How, Mr. Bridges and Mr. Haws do adjust and clear their respective accounts with Mr. Carbonell within a week's time.
	Memorandum: letters are sent according to these minutes. Ibid., pp. 151, 152.
Feb. 16, forenoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	His Grace the Duke of Marlborough comes in. Mr. Cardonel and Mr. Armstrong [are] called in. Mr. Cardonel delivers a paper entitled "A state of the sums requisite for providing forage for the Troops in their march from their respective winter quarters to Douay and for their subsistence for 35 days after the opening of the campaign; computed according to the allowances made by the States [General]."
	The total charge of the said estimate for the passage and 35 days (the former computed at 8 stivers and the latter at 11½ stivers the ration [per man per day]) amounts to 451,651 guilders 8 stivers whereof 327,448 guilders 3 stivers is to be paid in advance [to the contractors for bread, forage &c.] upon signing the contracts and the remaining 124,203 guilders 5 stivers within a month after the deliveries shall be made.
	His Grace the Duke of Marlborough observes to my Lords that there are considerable arrears due for forage for which he believes Mr. Brydges may have tallies in his hands.
	Mr. Brydges being present says there are tallies applicable thereto, but he wants my Lords' directions.
	His Grace says their Lordships' order in that particular would encourage the contractors.
	My Lords desire Mr. Brydges, with the assistance of Mr. Cardonel, to make up and adjust a distinct account thereof and to lay the same before their Lordships, who will then give directions upon the whole.
	My Lord Duke desires that Mr. Armstrong may take with him a copy of what shall be ordered in relation to the said forage for the better satisfaction of the contractors.
	[The exchange] remitters [are] called [in] and present a proposal dated this day and signed by Sir Theodore Janssen and Richard Harley (corrected to) Hoare proposing to give their bills for [on] Amsterdam payable at 2½ usance and for [on] Antwerp payable at sight for 100,000l. at the rate of 10 guilders 4 stivers current money per pound sterling and to take in payment for the same 50,000l. in tallies on Malt anno 1711 payable under [or next after] 400,000l. [on the register of the said Malt tallies] and 50,000l. out of the first money arising by the intended Lottery.
	My Lords considered said proposal and agreed to it.
	[Write] the Postmaster General to attend to-morrow in relation to the [Post Office method of] delivering out of the Foreign Letters.
	[My Lords direct the issue of] 2,000l. to Mr. Brydges on the proper [relative and unsatisfied money] order [drawn in his name: to be paid] out of loans remaining in the Exchequer on the Malt Act anno 1711. [This sum is] to be applied as follows, that is to say upon account of subsistence to the Regiments of Slane, Price, Rook and Jones imbarked in Ireland and blown into Plymouth [to wit] 400l. each and 400l. for the four Companies of Molesworth's Regiment [which are] with them.
	Mr. Howe [is] called in and his memorial is read praying the [issue to him of the] balance of Mr. Carbonel's account for discompting Exchequer Bills to [enable him to] pay the Bank 72,000l., [the said balance] amounting to 2,172l. 0s. 6d. My Lords direct him to deposit with the Bank so much of the Land Tax tallies in his hands for this year's service as will raise the said sum.
	Upon reading another memorial presented by him for 497l. 9s. 4d. for pay to Col. Nicholson [and] two Captains and a Lieutenant from 30 Nov. last to 30 May next, my Lords direct the same [memorial] to be sent to the Secretary at War to consult with Mr. Secretary St. John about the proper method and authority for Mr. Howe's paying the said Officers and then to report the same to my Lords for their directions thereupon.
	Send to the Secretary of War for the warrant for paying the General Officers according to the paper or memorial left here by his Grace the Duke of Marlborough Jan. 31 last. Treasury Minute Book XVIII, pp. 153–4.
Feb. 17, forenoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	Mr. Collyer to be Solicitor of the Treasury in the room of Mr. Henry Baker.
	[My Lords read] a memorial from the Board of Ordnance of this day's date concerning 20,000l. in tallies upon the Malt [and ranking] after 306,000l. [on the register of loans on Malt anno 1711] which they acquaint my Lords cannot be discounted under 3¾ and 4 per cent.; and [they] pray directions [from my Lords] for discounting the same accordingly.
	My Lords agree that the Board of Ordnance do cause the said tallies to be discounted, but they are to take care that the same be done at the lowest discount they can and by no means to exceed the abovementioned rates.
	Mr. Gwyn to name an officer at Totnes when a vacancy [arises]. Ibid., p. 155.
Feb. 19, forenoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	Petitions are read and minutes [are] taken [and endorsed] upon them.
	[My Lords direct] Mr. Hawes to desire the Bank to advance 20,000l. in Exchequer Bills upon a deposit of Land Tax tallies in the hands of the Navy Treasurer: to be repaid in two months with interest at 6 per cent. per an.: [the repayment to be] out of the money arising by the intended Lottery.
	And also a further sum of 10,000l. upon a like deposit and to be repaid in like manner to enable him to clear his accounts with Mr. Carbonel and to discharge interest due to the Bank on former deposits.
	[My Lords order] Mr. Brydges and Mr. Howe to bring an account of what they respectively owe to Mr. Carbonel for discount &c. and my Lords will thereupon direct them to raise so much (upon depositing tallies) as will clear the same. Ibid., p. 156.
Feb. 20, forenoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	[My Lords direct the issue of] 20,000l. to the Treasurer of the Ordnance out of loans to be made [on the tallies] in his name on the Malt Duties anno 1711: which tallies with the orders thereunto belonging the Board of Ordnance are to cause to be assigned over [by their said Treasurer] to James Brydges, Paymaster of the Forces [Abroad]: and the said Brydges is at the same time to assign to the said Treasurer of the Ordnance 20,000l. in orders on the said Malt Duties registered next after the 20,000l. already assigned by him to the said Treasurer on a like exchange.
	Mr. Hawes [is] called in. He reads to my Lords an account of the tallies in the hands of the Navy Treasurer.
	The creditors of the Navy are called in. My Lord Poulett tells them as to the tallies on the General Mortgage anno 1710 [that the same] are at present lying out upon deposit; but as to the other tallies in the Navy Treasurer's hands my Lords have directed Mr. Hawes to lay an account thereof before their Lordships in order to make the most equal distribution that may be thereof [struck through] to the Course of the Navy and Victualling and shall be ready to give the necessary directions accordingly by next Friday; and for the more equal distribution the Chancellor of the Exchequer desires that some of these gentlemen would attend Mr. Pagett in a day or two to look over the list of the said tallies.
	[Send word to] the Attorney General to be here to-morrow morning about the several projects afoot in the nature of lotteries.
	[Send word to] Mr. Granville to attend to-morrow morning with the account of extraordinaries of the war not provided for [by Parliament]. Treasury Minute Book XVIII, p. 157.
Feb. 21, forenoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	The Attorney General [is] called in. My Lords ask him what remedy [there be] against the several private [projects of] lotteries. He thinks it will be best done by an explanatory clause in the Act now passing in the House for a new Lottery.
	[My Lords order] Mr. Feilding to be paid what is due [to him] in her Majesty's reign as Equerry [and to be paid] by advance to Lady day next 300l.
	[My Lords order] the Secretary at War to have notice that my Lords have ordered money to be paid to the Troops [which are] to be drafted out of Scotland and he is desired to give a signification thereof [so] that due care may be taken that they duly discharge their quarters before they remove.
	Mr. Brydges [is] called in. His memorial for 3,194l. 11s. 11d. due to clear Mr. Carbonel's account is read. My Lords direct him to desire the Bank to advance so much upon a deposit of General Mortgage tallies anno 1710 for that service; to be repaid out of the first money arising by the intended Lottery with 6 per cent. for interest.
	Mr. Lansdale's memorial is read acquainting my Lords that the amount of the 4,000 barrels of powder to be delivered to the King of Portugal is 11,933l. 6s. 8d., for payment of which the contractors for corn are willing to accept of tallies on Low Wines with all interest due thereon from 7 Sept. last.
	My Lords are pleased to agree to the said proposal and do direct that the Ordnance Board do cause the said payment to be made in the manner aforesaid to the King of Portugal or such persons as shall be authorised by him to receive the same. Ibid., p. 158.
Feb. 22, forenoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	Mr. Hawes acquaints my Lords that the Bank has agreed to lend the sums of 20,000l. and 10,000l. mentioned in the minutes of the 19th inst.: and my Lords direct the 20,000l. to be applied as follows, viz. 15,117l. for paying Chatham and Sheerness Yards for 1709 Michaelmas quarter; and 4,883l. for bills of exchange for the Navy: and that the 10,000l. be applied to clear [accounts] with Mr. Carbonel and the interest due to the Bank on former [loans on] deposits [of tallies].
	His Grace the Duke of Argyle comes in and Mr. Bridges is present. Mr. Bridges says his deputy Mr. Mead has always paid the Troops in Spain according to the directions of the Generals. His Grace thinks the Establishment there ought to be the direction [or guide] to Mr. Mead and none of the British Troops in the Queen's pay [ought] to be paid but as they are effective and that Mr. Mead may have all his directions from hence and have no need to apply to his Grace; and that the foreign troops [there in her Majesty's pay] be paid according to their [respectively relative] treaties and an Establishment to be made pursuant to those treaties and that the money intended for the King of Spain's use from time to time be specified in the directions from hence: but as to the money which shall be sent under the head of extraordinaries the disposition thereof (depending upon many unforeseen accidents) [is] to be left to his Grace's appointments: and in case Mr. Mead draws any bills from thence his bills are to be attended with letters of advice specifying the particular uses to which the money directed by him [his Grace] was applied: but his Grace thinking it best for the service to be supplied by remittances from hence (if it can be) would have Mr. Mead restreyned from taking up money there without his Grace's knowledge and approbation.
	Mr. Merryll [is] called in. He presents a memorial signed by Mr. Howe [Paymaster General of Guards and Garrisons] with an account of what is due to the Bank [from said Howe] for interest of moneys borrowed of them upon deposits [the said interest] amounting to 952l. 17s. 10d.: and of money due [similarly from him] to Mr. Carbonel for discount of Exchequer Bills and for his [Carbonel's] own commission amounting [in all] to 2,929l. 13s. 1d., the two sums making together 3,882l. 10s. 11d.
	My Lords direct Mr. Merryll to attend the Bank and desire them to advance (on a deposit of tallies on the Land Tax anno 1711 remaining in Mr. Howe's hands) so much in Exchequer Bills as will be sufficient to satisfy the said two sums: [this advance] to be repaid out of the first money coming in by the intended Lottery and with 6 per cent. interest.
	Upon reading another memorial signed by Mr. Howe representing that 5,700l. 19s. 8d. is wanting to carry on the pay one month in advance to the Troops ordered out of Scotland, my Lords direct him to procure the same to be advanced by the Bank or any others upon the like terms as above. Ibid., pp. 159–60.
Feb. 23, forenoon.	Present: Earl Poulett, Mr. Pagett, Mr. Benson.
	The report from the Agents [for Taxes] concerning Mr. Weston's debt is read together with the papers annexed [thereto. My Lords thereupon] ordered that a warrant be prepared to direct the [Queen's] Remembrancer to take the new security for 6,495l. 9s. 9½d. and as soon as the same [security] shall be given my Lords order Mr. Lowndes to acquaint the Committee [of the House of Commons] for Sir Peter King's Bill that my Lords have no objection to the passing thereof so as [provided that] care be taken therein for Sir Peter King's payment of 14,041l. 10s. 0d., being the remainder of Mr. Weston's debt.
	[My Lords direct] 500l. to be paid to Mr. Borret on account for [Crown] law suits.
	[Send word to] Mr. Shoreditch and Mr. Cooper to attend here to-morrow morning.
	My Lords order that Mr. Lowndes shall acquaint the Committee [of the House appointed] upon a Bill for sale of divers manors &c. of Visct. Montagu, that her Majesty upon hearing the Attorney General's report of the 21st inst. thereon doth consent to such Act. Ibid., p. 161.
Feb. 24, forenoon.	Present: Earl Poulett, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Pagett, Sir Thomas Mansell.
	Mr. Bridges presents an account of the distribution of 22,000l. for recruits for Flanders &c.
	Also a list of the stoppages [respits] in Flanders to 23 April 1711.
	The Gentlemen of the Bank are called in.
	[My Lords order] a warrant to be prepared for impresting money to the Duchess of Somerset, Mistress of the Robes, as for the service of that [her] office [of the Robes] and for allowing her the usual salary of 600l. per an. Treasury Minute Book XVIII, p. 162.
Feb. 26, forenoon.	Present: Earl Poulett, Mr. Pagett, Sir Thomas Mansell, Mr. Benson.
	[My Lords direct] 1,000l. to Mr. St. John for secret services [of his office of one of the Secretaries of State].
	Likewise 1,000l. to Monsieur de Hervart [as royal] bounty.
	[Send word to] the Auditors of Imprests and the Board of Ordnance to attend next Wednesday morning in relation to Mr. Bertie's accounts [as former Treasurer and Paymaster of the Ordnance].
	It is the Queen's pleasure that the Rules settled with his Grace the Duke of Argyle and entered in the Minute Book, supra, pp. 18–19, the 22nd inst. concerning bills [of exchange to be drawn] from Spain be observed [also in the case of or] concerning bills from Gibraltar: that so payments in the proper [relative] Offices may be regularly made and accounted for. And Mr. Bridges is to give notice [to his Deputy Paymasters in Spain &c.] accordingly. Ibid., p. 163.
Feb. 27, forenoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	A copy of the minutes taken when the Duke of A [Argyle] was here [is ordered by my Lords] to be transmitted to my Lord Dartmouth [so] that his Lordship may give the necessary signification thereof to his Grace.
	[Send word to] Mr. Bridges to attend to-morrow morning with an account of what authority [the two] Mr. Chetwynds had to receive and pay money for the service of the Forces in Spain &c.
	A proposal of the [exchange] remitters dated the 26th inst. signed by [Sir] John Lambert, Sir Theodore Janssen and E. Gibbon is read and considered, being as follows, viz. to give their bills for 100,000l. on Antwerp at sight and on Amsterdam at 2½ usance at the rate of 10 guilders 4 stivers current money per pound sterling and to take in repayment 20,000l. in tallies on the fourteenth 4s. Aid [the Land Tax anno 1711] to rank after 1,700,000l. [on the register of loans on the said Land Tax] and 80,000l. "into the Lottery" [? as their own subscription into the said Lottery] "and we engage on our part not to sell or dispose of any of the tickets [representing that subscription] until the Lottery be filled or the time for filling it is expired."
	My Lords agree to this proposal in the manner following that is to say that the said remitters shall be paid 20,000l. in tallies on the said Land Tax to rank as above and 80,000l "out of the money coming in on the first payments to the intended Lottery." And my Lords order a letter to be sent to the [said] remitters to give their bills upon the said agreement by this night's post. Ibid., p. 164.
Feb. 28. forenoon.	Present: all the five Lords.
	The [Principal] Officers of the Ordnance [are] called in. They say they received the letter relating to Mr. Bertie's cravings but [only] yesterday and are not yet ready to make report thereon.
	The Chancellor of the Exchequer asks them what they have to say to the scurrilous letter sent to their Lordships from an unknown hand relating to the prosecution of one Jones.
	Mr. J. Brydges answers that they gave directions for his prosecution and they believe it is carried on as fast as may be.
	My Lords direct them to advise with the Attorney General about the most speedy and effectual method of his prosecution.
	[Write to] the Secretary at War to lay before my Lords a copy of the [War Office] Instructions to Commissioners [of Musters].
	The Agents for Taxes and Mr. Cowper [are] called in. My Lords direct them to attend again next Friday and to bring an exact account of what Mr. Cowper owes on account of the taxes &c. for 1709 [as Receiver General thereof for Co. Northampton] and as near an estimate as may be of his debt on account thereof for the year 1710. Ibid., p. 165.