Volume 70: July 16-November 2, 1700 | British History Online

Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 2, 1697-1702. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1871.

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'Volume 70: July 16-November 2, 1700', in Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 2, 1697-1702, ed. Joseph Redington( London, 1871), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-papers/vol2/pp413-431 [accessed 24 November 2024].

July 16–November 2, 1700



1700. [About July 16.]	1. Petition of Martha Donelan, widow, mother and administratrix of Ensign Matthew Roydon, deceased, praying an order that the respites might be removed from her son's pay. Another petition on the same subject, and a report thereon by the Lord Ranelagh, dated 20 June 1700, from which it appears that the said ensign was killed at Torbay on 23 July 1693. Also a certificate to that effect, signed by Lieut.-Col. Montargyer. Minuted:—“16 July 1700. My L^ds can give no relief in this matter.” 4 pages.
[About July 16.]	2. Petition of Nathaniel Booth, Esq., surveyor of the Greenwax, to the Lords of the Treasury, praying payment of the arrears of his salary since 1696, the Pipe Office not being able to pay them as formerly, by reason of the great sums paid by sheriffs for apprehending highwaymen, clippers, coiners, and burglars. Minuted:—“16 July 1700. A warr^t for two years.” Certificate of the Clerk of the Pipe of the amount due. 2 pages.
[About July 16.]	3. Petition of Francis Barry, of Kensington, Middlesex, gent., to the Lords of the Treasury, for payment of his salary and travelling charges, as referred to in the report of the Com^rs of Customs on 9 July 1700. Undated. Minuted:—“16 July 1700. My Lords will speak w^th y^e Com^rs Customes ab^t this to-morrow.” 1 page.
[July 18.]	4. Petition of Catherin O'Hara to the Earl of “Tankerfield” and the rest of the Lords of the Treasury, stating that what was granted to her and her sister only paid her debts. Her sister was provided for by the Duke of Bolton's daughter, and she herself was sent for by a relation in Ireland, and if she missed that opportunity she must infallibly starve; begging for ever so little,, though but 5l., to bear her charges. Undated. Minuted:—“18 July 1700. Give her 10^li, but my Lords will hear no more from her. Pđ.” [She and her sister had previously had 50l. apiece granted to them to carry them into Ireland. See Minute Book, Vol. IX., p 284, 28 Feb. 1699–1700.] 1 page.
July 18.	5 Report signed “Jo. Taylour,” to the Lords of the Treasury, in answer to their Lordships' directions to lay before them a state of the further demands of Admiral Aylmer, for credits given to Captain De la Val for the charges of his negotiation for the redemption of captives, and for moneys expended by the Admiral in receiving the balance of his last account: finding that 663l. 1s. 5d. were due to him. Analyzing also the state of the Admiral's account made in the previous January, which he annexed. Dated 18 July 1700. Minuted:—“Read 18 July 1700. Agreed.” The paper referred to is docquetted:—“State of Admiral Aylmer's acco^t of mo[ney] paid to M^r Marshall, on account of his journey to Barbary, and for buying horses for the King, and also to Capt. De la Val & others on acco^t of redemption of captives” [at Algiers and under the dominion of the Emperor of Morocco]. It consists of a report signed “Jo. Taylour,” dated 28 Jan. '99. Minuted:—“23 Feb. '99. The remainder is to be p^d out of ye Civil List mo[ney]. A s[ign] m[anual].” There is also a second enclosure. 2 large pages and 1 smaller.
July 19.	6. Warrant of the Lords of the Treasury, under their signatures, to Charles Montague, Esq., auditor of the receipt of the Exchequer, requiring him to draw an order to pay Matthew Aylmer, Esq., 663l. 1s. 5d. for what remained due to Captain Delavall, for his carrying on a treaty with the Emperor of Morocco, relating to the redemption of English captives and other expenses. Dated 19 July 1700. 1 page.
July 19.	7. Letter of the Com^rs for the Debts due to the Army, Navy, and Transport Service, addressed to Wm. Lowndes, Esq., enclosing a draft of the debentures intended to be issued, to be laid before the Lords of the Treasury, for them to add such method as would prevent their being counterfeited. Dated 19 July 1700. 2 pages.
July 23.	8. The reply of Walter Devereux to the answer made by Mr. Henry Baker, to six articles of complaint exhibited to the Lords of the Treasury, against him (Mr. Baker) by the said Devereux, together with the proofs of the said charge. He says, “the iniquities of Mr. Baker are more than can be imagined, whose multiplied and various artifices and frauds cannot be described in a few words, and if his faults had been fewer, this paper had been shorter.” Again, “What Mr. Baker pronounces to be false, is generally true,” and “what he affirms to be true is generally false.” Towards the conclusion he requests their Lordships to require Mr. Baker, before he stirs out of their presence, to give such present answers as he could, to the particulars charged, that they might see where his defence lay, lest by giving him time to consider he should take an opportunity of frightening or arresting his (Mr. Devereux's) witnesses, or dealing with his own, and of inventing and obtruding upon their Lordships false stories and disguises, at which he was most excellent; as had already appeared, by the many falsehoods he had exposed in this answer. Dated 23 July 1700. In the Minute Book, Vol. X., pp. 107–109, 23 July 1700, is a full account of the hearing of this case of Devereux against Baker, finishing:— “My Lords are of opinion that Mr. Devereux hath not made out any one of the articles in his charge ag^t M^r Baker as to any material point.” The charges made against Mr. Baker arose in the prosecution of persons engaged in “owling” on the South coast. (See also Vol. LXIX., Nos. 35 and 38.) 11 pages.
July 23.	9. Report of the Officers of the Mint (not signed) to the Lords of the Treasury, upon complaints of corrupt practices of Thos. Molyneux, Esq., Comptroller of the Mint, and his friends; laying before their Lordships the depositions and examinations they had taken thereon. The corrupt practices consisted of taking sums of money for passing accounts, of obtaining a gold watch of 37l. value, to be presented to Mrs. Molyneux, and of raising the estimate for building the press-house, &c., to lower the estimate for repairing the controller's, lest the latter should not be allowed. Docquetted:—“Mr. Molyneux's charge given in by y^e officers of y^e Mint, July 23^d, 1700.” Accompanied by papers numbered 1 to 17 (there being two for No. 4). The 1st is a letter signed Cha. Mason, who was one of the controllers of the Mint to the Warden, Master, and Worker of the Mint, inculpating the said controller or his deputy or clerk. The others are the depositions and examinations referred to. Also there is another examination of one Hannah Moyne. In addition there is Mr. Molyneux's answer, denying the charges against him, and promising to answer them at large if he might have longer time. Minuted:—“Read 23 July 1700.” In the Minute Book, Vol. X., are long entries on the 8th, 9th, and 16th of October, as to this case; nothing definite appears to have been arrived at, but on 12 Nov. (p. 148), is:— “The matter of the accusation prosecuted by M^r Mason against M^r Molineux is received and opened by my Lords, and notice is taken of the accusations by M^r Molineux against M^r Mason. The King will take a little time to consider this.” 35 pages or parts of pages.
July 23.	10. Report of the Com^rs of Excise to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Theophylact Blechynden, their clerk of the securities and assistant secretary, recommending that he should receive 100l. in consequence of additional duties. Dated 23 July 1700. Also his petition. Minuted:—“The 100^li is ordered.” 2 pages.
July 23.	11. Copy of a minute of 23 July 1700, of the Com^rs of Customs, in consequence of their directions given to Capt. Phelips to call on the merchants to clear their bonds, having proved ineffectual, viz., that the solicitor give notice to the merchants that he must put them in suit if they were not cleared forthwith, &c., and Mr. Wolstenholm was directed to take care on the arrival of the Virginia fleet, that no new credit should be given or discounts allowed to merchants who neglected to clear their bonds. Most likely an enclosure. It is numbered 2. 1 page.
July 23.	12. Report of the Com^rs of Excise to the Lords of the Treasury, as to frauds committed in the port of London, by obtaining the drawbacks on exportation of fish, by bringing fish privately back from the ships and relading the ships with the same fish, &c.; recommending Thomas Walker and Henry Canby, the searchers who had detected the same, to be rewarded. [Minuted:—“50^li between them.”] They further observe that they suspected that the searchers of the several ports were not so diligent and careful, in verifying the quantities of fish and salt exported, as might be expected, and that an officer appointed by them should certify the quantity exported. Minuted:—“Order'd, so as no illegal restraint be putt on trade, and lett ye Com^rs of Excise prepare the draught of an order & agree it w^th the Com^rs of Customes.” Dated 23 July 1700. 1½ pages.
July 24.	13. Letter signed Wm. Middleton, to the Lords of the Treasury, telling them he must vindicate himself by writing, since it was not their pleasure to hear him. Mr. Godolphin told him before the second duty commenced, that the Com^rs were imposed on by agreeing to give the head meters 1d. per chaldron, on the 1s. duty, but that his advice should be taken for the 2nd duty; 13s. 4d. was paid every time they wrote their name—his appearing against it had reduced it to 6s. 8d., which was more than judges and masters in Chancery had for giving oaths; the receiver for the 5s. had but 200l. a year, and “so he had for the 18^d;” “the office for the certificate for 30 years” was not above 40l. per ann. till he made it up 50l.; it was then reduced to 30l. When he was Com^r of the 3s. aid he offended all his rich relations and friends, by making them pay for 200,000l., &c. Twenty-five years before, the most valuable gentlemen of the county thought him worthy to sit on the bench, and he was not to be despised for his poverty, produced by just debts from the Crown, and for refusing 800l. to conceal frauds. In the late reigns in consideration of his father's imprisonment for four years, and the loss of 1,000l. per ann., his mother was supported on their Majesty's bounty, and money was given for her burial, at which time he made “a discovery,” and had a satisfactory gratification. All the members of Parliament he had conversed with, were of opinion, that there should be the same frugality in the state as the church, but there were 15 rich men against him and the reputation of the Com^rs of Customs besides, therefore a considerable sum must be lost. After this manner the fraud of the corn was managed, the reputation of the magistrates for sending false certificates, and the officers who filed them, were preferred before the King's interest, and 150 guineas were spent when he refused 300l., as the Lords of the Treasury treated him like a gentleman, but the Com^rs of Customs and Waterson, treated him like a footman. He represented that Sir Wm. Ashur[s]t and three of his successors, when Lord Mayors, defrauded the King of the tax 800l. per ann. Sir John Fleet was taxed as well as they, and paid: when his (the petitioner's) worthy friend Sir Francis Child was mayor, it was told his Lordship that he (the petitioner) was a troublesome man. When Clerk was mayor he denied him justice. He reported a manifest fraud relating to births, burials, &c., but the Lords never heard him. He put his name to the letter, but the Lords were not at the trouble to put an advertisement in the Gazette. He treated their Lordships better, and would put that duty into a better method; Sir Stephen Fox and others seemed to approve of what he said: he prayed that the petition might be granted, that he might not be imprisoned and his family starved. Dated 24 July 1700. It was read on 25 Oct. 1700, and there is a second minute:—“Read 13 Nov. 1700. The Com^rs think he may gett what he can of merrit. My Lords can give the pet^r no more.” 2 pages.
[About July 24.]	14. An application to the Lords of the Treasury, of Wm. Atwood, Esq., appointed the King's Chief Justice for New York, and of Sampson Shelton Broughton, Esq., appointed Attorney-General there; reminding their Lordships of the letter formerly sent from the Com^rs of Trade for the settling their salaries. Minuted:—“24 July 1700. The King's respit was upon the salary, and the same cannot be settled till the King's pleasure be further known.” In the Minute Book, Vol. X., p. 143, 30 Oct. 1700, is:—“The King will allow M^r Atwood only 300^li a year and to M^r Broughton 150^li a year.” 1 page.
July 24.	15. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Col. Quarry, for the renewal of an order for payment of 50l. to a minister and 30l. per ann. to a schoolmaster in Pennsylvania, and directing them to consider what public revenue there was in Pennsylvania out of which the pension might be paid; there might be enough to pay it out of the quit rents, but they were under the control of the auditor of plantations; the 1d. a pound on tobacco shipped was appropriated for the current service of the year, &c. They would make a further report of the duty of 1d. per pound in Virginia and Maryland. Dated 24 July 1700. Also five other documents relating thereto. There are three minutes on the dorse, the last of which is:— “5^th Aug. 1701. Prepare a warr^t for paying these allowances out of y^e plantation dutys except appropriated arrears. Write to M^r Bl[athwayt] stating y^e matter.” 10 pages.
July 29.	16. Letter of the Officers for Victualling to Wm. Lowndes, Esq., sending a list of all the papers formerly laid before the Lords of the Treasury, in relation to the prosecution of Nicholas Green, merchant in Ireland, for fraudulently sending into France a ship laden with provisions on the King's account. Dated 29 July 1700. Also the said list or “abstract of papers,” an Order in Council to prosecute, an order of the Lords Justices to the Attorney and Solicitor-General in Ireland to effectually prosecute, and a report on the case by the above victualling officers. Minuted:—“W^t signed.” 4 pages.
[After July.]	17. Petition of the Com^rs of Excise to the Lords of the Treasury, setting out that the King was much defrauded in his duties on salt, by sums drawn back upon pretence of exportation of salt to Ireland, great part of which was not carried there, but run upon the coast of England and Wales; proposing that a law should be obtained on the subject embodying various remedies therein mentioned. It contains several particulars about the curing of fish. Undated, but after July 1700, see another report of the Com^rs, dated 23 July 1700, No. 12. Also a draft of an Act of Parliament, with blanks to be filled up, on the same subject. 3 pages.
Aug. 20.	18. Letter of Sir Basill Dixwell to the Lords of the Treasury, acquainting them in his own vindication, that it was no fault or neglect of his that his Excise accounts had not been more quickly despatched, having long before applied for such accounts as were in arrear, but the cash accounts were all delivered together, into his office about a year before, and their hands had been so full in despatching the six years' general accounts and one cash account then called for, that they could not make such progress with them as they wished; now, however, they were upon them and would rid their hands of them as fast as they could, and they hoped to complete them in about a year. Dated 20 Aug. 1700. Minuted:—“Mention the former direction. That my Lords are not satisfied w^th this answer. That the gen^ll acco^t for 1695 be finishd by the 15^th of November next, & đd to M^r Chancellor, otherwise my Lords wilbe obliged to represent to ye K. the disservice to His Ma^ty and ye publique, by negligence in passing the acc^ts in his office.” 3 pages (quarto).
Aug. 28.	19. Letter from Mr. Burchett to William Lowndes, Esq., inquiring whether the Lords of the Treasury intended to have Capt. Crosse prosecuted for embezzling goods out of a prize ship, called the “St. Peter,” or whether the whole matter terminated with the trial in the Court of Exchequer, of Captain Caldwell, who was jointly charged with him. Dated 28 Aug. 1700. There is a full report of the examinations of the witnesses in the case referred to in the Minute Book, Vol. VIII. p. 246, 23 Sept. 1698. 1 page.
[? About Aug. 29.]	20. A paper docquetted:—“Draught of an order relateing to the searchers certifieing the exportation of fish and salt.” In consequence of frauds intended to be practised in shipping out fish in order to obtain a drawback by debenture. This was a copy transmitted from the Com^rs of Customs to the Com^rs of Excise, 29 Aug. 1700. 1½ pages.
[About Aug.]	21. Memorial of the Lord Lexington to the King, showing that the King had given orders about three months before for discharging him in relation to the plate ordered for him from the jewel-house at the time of his embassy to “Rieswyck;” praying that the warrant might be despatched. Undated, but about Aug. 1700. See Letter Book, 21 May 1700, Vol. X., pp. 229 and 230. ½ page (quarto).
[Aug.]	22. A paper docquetted thus:—“Mem^dums of M^r Herbert's acc^t of prizes.” The memoranda relate to cravings made by the said Mr. Herbert, and his account appears to have come down to August 1700. 1 page.
Sept. 2.	23. Report of Sir Charles Hedges to the Lords of the Treasury, as to a fit allowance to Mr. Larkin for going to the several plantations in America, to settle the forms of proceedings, and to do what else was necessary in holding Admiralty courts for trial of pirates; recommending an allowance of 200l. for fitting out, in addition to whatever charges he was at for passage, a further 200l. for his stay in the plantations, and 500l. a year as long as the service lasted. Dated 2 Sept. 1700. Accompanied by an Order in Council for the above report to be made. The last minute on the back is:—“Prepare a warr^t for y^e whole 800l. My Lords will pay 200^li in part of it p[re]sently after Xmas, the rest at convenient times.” 3 pages.
Sept. 12.	24. Presentment by the Com^rs of Excise to the Lords of the Treasury, as to passing the accounts: the growing business in the Auditor's department could scarcely be carried on; the deputy comptroller of Excise had lately applied for assistance; when Mr. Ashmole was comptroller he kept nine clerks, and although the present comptroller was allowed salaries for three additional clerks for the duties on salt, malt, and leather, yet he kept no more clerks for all the duties than Mr. Ashmole for the Excise only; upon a representation of these facts to Sir Scroop How, the comptroller, he replied that the number of clerks was wholly “in his breast,” so that the business was done; that their Lordships' allowance was given amongst the clerks, who did the business out of office hours, and it was but reasonable they should be paid rather than strangers should have it, and he hoped that an allowance would be made for two more till the business was done. They had examined the deputy comptroller as to what induced him to allow credit for sums for which there were not sufficient vouchers, upon which he insisted that he was only a comptroller upon the receipt of the revenue and not upon the issues; they conceived differently, and it might be of very ill consequence to have any other opinion entertained; they sought their Lordships' interposition, as there was no prospect of getting forward the great arrears of accounts. Dated 12 Sept. 1700. Minuted:—“To Sir S. How. Take notice that he has not the number of clerks for w^ch the K. gives his allowance, and his clerks have not the allowances for their incouragement w^ch were made by M^r Ashmole. That by this means the publique service suffers, and my Lords shalbe obliged to represent, &c.” 2 pages.
[About Sept. 13.]	25. Memorial of “the English Company tradeing to the East Indies,” to the Lords of the Treasury, praying to be admitted to pass sights (or general entries till their goods were inspected), and to give security as was practised by the Governor and Company of merchants of London, trading to the East Indies (a perfect entry not being practicable), and that such allowances, discounts, and advantages might be made them as were made to that company. Signed: “John Gardner, Secr^y.” Enclosing copies of clauses in the old and new companies' charter. Minuted:—“W^t signed 13^th Sep^r 1700.” 4 pages.
Sept. 13.	26. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of the principal traders, &c., of the port of Penryn, setting forth that there had been a very ancient custom-house there, and that the officers always took entries of ships lying within the harbour of Falmouth till 1676, when a public quay was established at Falmouth, restricted to Truro and Penrin, being the ancient ports of Falmouth harbour, which caused great decay of trade in those towns; praying for relief; stating the means they had used for obtaining information, viz., they had obtained a plan of the harbour and perused a private Act of Parliament, obtained by Sir Peter Killigrew; expressing the opinion that if one custom-house had to be settled in the harbour of Falmouth it should be at the town of Falmouth; but they would not abridge the privilege enjoyed by Penrin and Truro of having several (i. e., separate) custom-houses. If their Lordships thought a new commission should issue for the better regulation of the limits of those ports they would not object, and then the harbour of Helford would be entitled to further accommodation. Dated 13 Sept. 1700. Also the petition, and four other documents in relation thereto. The third Minute is:—“26 Feb. 1702. Lett the Com^rs of Customes prepare a draft of a com^on.” 11 pages.
Sept. 13.	27. Report of the same to the same, on the petition of the bailiffs, portmen, freemen, &c., of Ipswich, Suffolk, praying that the town might be put into the same state it was formerly, and might enjoy its ancient rights and privileges; stating that they (the Com^rs) had examined some gentlemen on behalf of the town of Ipswich, and Sir Thomas Davall on behalf of Harwich, &c., and that great caution was used in 1689 in establishing a custom-house at Harwich, not to prejudice the town of Ipswich; referring also to what was determined on in executing the commission for settling the collection. The increase of charge was only 50l. per ann., by making Harwich a port of collection, whatever inducements there were then (a time of war) to tolerate a trade by the packet boats would not henceforth exist; because in practice they could not conform to the rules of merchant ships. It would be for the service of the revenue if instructions were given to the governors of the post office that packet boats should not trade without the licence of this Board in accordance with the Act of Frauds. Dated 3 Sept. 1700. Also the petition. 3 pages.
[About Sept. 13.]	28. Petition of Bernard Granville to the Lords of the Treasury, complaining that in addition to the rent for Mote Park not being paid to him till 22 Aug. 1700, a deduction of 65l. was made by Mr. Edwards at the Exchequer for taxes; praying repayment. Minuted:—“13 Sep^r 1700. M^r Tailor is to pay this to M^r Grenville 65^li.” Again, “Paid to M^r Granville.” 1 page.
Sept. 17.	29. Report of S. Travers, Surveyor-General, to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of William Yarnold and Robert Watson, together with a representation or address to the King from the inhabitants of the parishes and royal manors of East Greenwich, Deptford, and Sayes Court; finding that the petitioners had obtained leave from the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Romney, High Steward of those manors, for carrying on a design of bringing water (to be raised by an engine) from the river Ravensborne to supply those places; they had laid out 600l., and it would cost many thousand pounds more. He thought it reasonable (as it was for a public good) that their Lordships should advise the granting a royal licence for 500 years, at a mark a year, in which grant the petitioners, their executors and assigns, might be empowered to raise water out of the river Ravensborne, and to lay pipes through the streets and wastes of the said manors and parishes (compounding first with the respective proprietors of any “severals” through which the water should be brought), and to erect conduits or receptacles for water in any convenient places there for the readier conveying the same to the use of the inhabitants. There should also be a clause for the supply of the Royal Hospital at Greenwich. Dated 17 Sept. 1700. Also the petition and representation referred to, the latter having numerous signatures, is minuted:—“Granted.” 3½ pages.
Sept. 19.	30. Representation of the Officers of the Ordnance to the Lords of the Treasury, reminding them that 18,976l. were further due to them on the head of sea service, 3,724l. only having been ordered them; in a late memorial they had shown that near 18,000l. must be the annual expense of the fleet, that salaries, &c., would amount to almost 20,000l. more, and that it was impossible to carry on the service with less than “5s. in 4l.”; they doubted not that they had so convinced their Lordships that no artifices of any office (though never so well insinuated) would prevail with them so as to take any part of the little designed for them by Parliament; praying for what was due to them. Dated 19 Sept. 1700. 1 page.
Sept. 24.	31. Certificate of Henry Shales, Auditor [? of Imprests], to the Lords of the Treasury, in pursuance of instructions from William Lowndes, Esq., as to what accounts lay before him undespatched, how long they had been brought in, and how far each accountant was in arrear. With a note to each item, in Lowndes' handwriting, as to what should be done. Dated 24 Sept. 1700. 2½ pages.
Sept. 24.	32. Warrant under the signatures of the Lords Justices for payment to Thomas Merret of 353l. 6s. 8d. for moneys expended for coals, &c., for the use of the horse guards at Kensington. Dated 24 Sept. 1700. Accompanied by two accounts of the expenses. A similar warrant in favour of widow Buckle, whose husband had supplied coals, &c., for the guards, for 129l. 15s. Dated the same day. 6 pages.
Sept. 25.	33a. Report of Sir Chr. Wren and three others [? from the Office of Works], to the Lords of the Treasury, informing them what works were being done at Hampton Court, and by whose directions, viz., the Water Gallery was taken down and the materials preserved, as the King directed Lord Ranelagh; the little tower in the Glass Case Garden, which the King signified to Lord Ranelagh should be augmented, was then being covered in for the most part from materials from the Water Gallery; the foundations of the New Terrace were in prosecution of a design for a building sent to Loo, and approved by the King, but were not intended to be carried higher than the level of the terrace that year. Other works were by the Lord Chamberlain's warrant. Dated 25 Sept. 1700. Minuted:—“Read.” 1 page.
[? About Sept. 25.]	33b. Petition of Thomas Bower, Esq., to the Lords of the Treasury, showing that at Midsummer last, 1700, there was due to him for a perpetuity 5l. per ann., as heir of Sir Robert Long, at the receipt of the Exchequer, 95l.: praying for a warrant for payment. Also certificate corroborating the same, signed Montague. Dated 25 Sept. 1700. Minuted:—“4 July 1701. Respited.” Parts of 2 pages.
[About Sept. 26.]	34. Petition of Allin Garrard to the Lords Justices, stating that he had a long time petitioned the Com^rs of Excise, and could have no relief, and had petitioned the Lords of the Treasury, as one of the “security” of George Murray, late one of the collectors of the duty of Excise; upon which their Lordships had reported on 15 May then last past; he now denied his guilt as to facts imputed to him in that report. [See the Report of 15 May, Vol. LXVIII., No. 56.] Amongst other things in his defence, he says that it was apparent he did not further Murray's escape, for they had confined him before Murray took shipping at Gravesend, and that Mr. Phillip Shales, brother-in-law to Mr. Lownds, was so zealous for Murray's escape, that he, with several other friends, went down to Gravesend to see him safely shipped. (fn. 1) His debt was said to be 3,454l. 12s. 5d. Murray's account was not then adjusted, and there was no notice taken of his effects extended in Norfolk, amounting to about 400l. To show his willingness to capture Murray he had offered a considerable gratuity for the same, and he had made an affidavit by means of which an extent was issued against Goodeve, the other security; he prayed to be heard, having been confined in the Poultry Compter, London, nine months. Minuted:—“Read 26 7br. 1700. To be read when the Com^rs of Excise are here.” 3 pages.
Sept. 26.	35. Report of the Com^rs of Revenue in Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, informing them that they had for various reasons refrained from giving an account of the dispute between them and the Trustees for forfeited estates about the quit and crown rents; but now they enclosed a state of the case, with the opinion and reasons of the King's Counsel upon it. Dated 26 Sept. 1700. Accompanied by the said “case,” and “an account of the quitt rents, crowne rents, &c. in charge on the 13^th day of February 1688, on the forfeited lands given by the Comm^rs of His Maj^ties revenue to the Trustees, &c.” 4¼ pages.
Sept. 28.	36. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, proposing various regulations for the searcher's office to make a better guard for the advantage of the revenue; acquainting their Lordships that the temptation for practising frauds to obtain the drawback which was allowed of foreign goods exported, was so great that it required a stricter care and guard. There are fifteen proposals, with minutes of their Lordships in the margin. Dated 28 Sept. 1700. Minuted on the dorse:—“8 Oct. 1700. To be considered at ye next meeting.” 3 pages.
Sept. 30.	37. “Estimate of debts for the service of sick and wounded seamen, &c. to the 30^th September 1700,” amounting to 60,479l. 1s. 4¾d. 2 pages.
Sept. 30.	38. A certificate of the state of all accounts depending in the office of William Aldworth, Esq., auditor of the land revenue, within the survey of the Exchequer for the several counties of Chester, Lincoln, “& divers others, and of such other acco^ts as were from time to time referred to him by the Right Hono^ble the Lords Com^rs of His Ma^ts Treasury, pursuant to letters patent,” &c. In the margin are the minutes of what was ordered to be done. At the end is the memorial of Robert Hewitt, who sought to obtain payment of 300l. due to him in Mr. Auditor Morice's time, as detailed in the memorial. Dated ult. Sept. 1700. 10 pages.
Oct. 4.	39. Report of Mr. Henry Shales, auditor, to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of the Lady Essex Griffin, sending a brief abstract of the whole estate, consisting of rents at Bradbrooke, in Northamptonshire, as he took it in the previous July. Dated 4 Oct. 1700. Accompanied by a particular accompt of the late Lord Griffin's estate in Bradbrooke, in the county of Northampton, between Michaelmas 1697 and Michaelmas 1700. Minuted:—“Read 8^th Oct. 1700. My Lords will not stop the process, but will lay the whole matter before the K.” In the Minute Book, Vol. X., p. 152, 19 Nov. 1700, is:—“The King will do what is just, but no further on this peticon.” 2 large brief-sized pages.
Oct. 8.	40. Report of the Com^rs of Excise, to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of William Clayton, as to the debt of the petitioner. Dated 8 Oct. 1700. Accompanied by an account thereof, submitted to Sir Thomas Trevor, Attorney-General, who was of opinion the debt could not be compounded: also the petition and a letter from Mr. Lowndes to the said Com^rs. Minuted:—“Read 8 Oct. 1700. To be read when M^r Attor[ney] is here on Thursday.” 5 pages.
Oct. 8.	41. Presentment of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, in respect to some fraudulent practices in the port of Colchester, by secret conveyance of foreign goods out of the lighters as they lay at “The Heath,” without payment of Customs. The Com^rs had sent Mr. Andrews to examine into the manner of the discharge of their duties by the officers there, and as the result, had suspended the collector, surveyor, and landwaiter, and had appointed Mr. Bury, the surveyor at Harwich, and two other officers to take charge of the collection for the present: recommending Richard Marriot as an additional waiter and searcher there. Dated 8 Oct. 1700. Minuted:—“Agreed, w^th 40l. a year.” 1½ pages.
[About Oct. 8.]	42. “The full and perfect answer” of Thomas Molyneux, Esq., controller of the Mint, to the several charges contained in the memorial, examinations, and depositions laid before the Lords of the Treasury (see Vol. LXX., No. 9, 23 July 1700), by the warden, master, and worker, and Charles Mason, Esq., one of the comptrollers of the Mint. He states that it is very unfortunate to have his most innocent words and actions misrepresented and wrested, and other persons' miscarriages laid to his charge upon untrue allegations, &c., by the malicious instigation and prosecution of the said Charles Mason, who was as far unqualified for his office as he had been negligent and careless in its execution; for he challenged him to make it appear that he could read or examine any one book in the office, especially the day book, or pot book, or that he ever spent three hours together in the discharge of his duty, since the office was conferred on him, unless it were to receive his salary, or to carry on this groundless and malicious prosecution. He then goes on to prove the charges against him of receiving money to pass accounts, of obtaining a gold watch for his wife for the same purpose, &c., to be false, and sends for his justification, papers numbered 1 to 27, consisting of copies of depositions, affidavits, letters, examinations, accounts, &c.; there is also another paper, which, though not numbered, appears to belong to them, docquetted:—“M^r Molyneux's abatements upon the artificers' bills.” Undated; but the examination into the charges was made before the Lords of the Treasury on 8 Oct. 1700, when this answer of Mr. Molyneux was read. A very full account of the inquiry is entered in the Minute Book, Vol. X., for that date and 9 Oct. This charge and a counter-charge were read to the King on 12 Nov. 1700, who took a little time to consider. See Minute Book, Vol. X., p. 148. Nos. 12 and 13 are wanting to make the series complete. No determination appears from the Minute Book to have been come to. Mr. John Ellis, however, was appointed controller of the Mint on 7 May 1701, and perhaps succeeded to one of their places. 45 pages.
Oct. 8.	43. Presentment of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, touching a fraud at Chepstow, in shipping salt for Ireland in order to obtain a debenture for a larger quantity than was shipped. Dated 8 Oct. 1700. 1½ pages.
[? About Oct. 9.]	44. Petition of Roger Cross and John Cross his son, to the Lords of the Treasury, complaining that William Martyn, Esq., deputy steward of the Earl of Bath, granted a tenement in the manor of Bradninch, Devon, to two children of John Moor before any fine was paid, upon which the Chancellor granted his warrant to the petitioners, and the steward granted the tenement to the petitioners; praying their Lordships to appoint some other person than Mr. Travers, who was away in Cambridgeshire, or than Mr. Wm. Taylor, against whom they had cause of complaint, to report thereon. Accompanied by an abstract of the case between Cross and Moor. It has two minutes on the dorse, the first on 9 Oct. 1700. The second minute is:—“15 Nov. 1700. My L^ds are very well satisfyd w^th ye representation of this case by M^r Travers, & are pleased to leave ye matter to be decided in ye C^t of Equity, where y^e same is now depending.” 4 pages.
Oct. 11.	45. Report of Philip Ryley to the Lords of the Treasury, dated 11 Oct. 1700. Docquetted:—“M^r Ryley's particular and yearly rent, proposed by him to be paid M^r Yonge for the custody & proffitts of the House Parke at Hampton Court.” 1 page.
Oct. 11.	46. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of several merchants of London trading in wines, informing their Lordships that there were three several duties upon wines, for which the merchants might give bond at the importation, detailing the measures taken to recover the money and interest due on their bonds. By the Receiver-General's account, 175,169l. 1s. 10d. appeared due on these bonds, and only 67,669l. 1s. 10d. had as yet been delivered to the solicitor; the interest at 6l. per cent. would be more than 8,000l. Dated 11 Oct. 1700. Also the petition, with several signatures. 3 pages.
[About Oct 11.]	47. Petition of Allen Garrard to John Smith, Esq., one of the Com^rs of the Treasury, showing that he was one of the securities for George Murray, one of the collectors of Excise, who about 12 months before absconded, upon which the petitioner was committed to the Poultry Counter, London, where he had remained; praying, in consideration of his long confinement, his wife and seven children, to be liberated. Undated, but about 11 Oct. 1700. See Reference Book, Vol. VI., p. 397. Minuted:—“To be brought in when the Com^rs of Excise are here.” A further petition from him to the Lords of the Treasury, with the same prayer. 2 pages.
Oct. 12.	48. Presentment of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, upon a memorial of the merchants of Bideford touching their bonds for the duty on tobacco; stating that they thought it reasonable to forbear prosecuting the bonds of such merchants as had debentures owing from the public as far as the debts extended, &c. Dated 12 Oct. 1700. Minuted:—“Read again 20 N^o 1700. Agreed to. W^t signed 22 9ber 1700.” Also the memorial. 2 pages.
Oct. 14.	49. Letter of the Earl of Bath to [? Mr. Lowndes], complaining that his accounts as ranger of St. James' Park remained unsettled. [Minuted:—“Send to M^r Ryley for his report.”] He had received three letters from him [Mr. Lowndes?] by order of their Lordships, the first concerning encroachments and abuses in the park, pallisadoes upon the wall, the suppression of alehouses and other public houses, and the shutting of a little door belonging to the lodge in the nursery opening into the high road. In answer to which, several large and double staircases of stone coming down from the wall into the said park, very inconvenient and prejudicial, were totally removed, but the pallisadoes upon the wall, and the little pales at the bottom of the wall, belonged to private persons, most of them of the greatest rank and quality, as would appear by an enclosed list, and were erected with royal permission in the former and present reigns, and all allowed and continued by the late Queen, whose orders the King commanded in all things, relating to St. James's Park, should be observed during her life, and after her death, in the same manner as when she was living, as appeared by the printed orders remaining in the Treasury. If any alteration were made in the park wall, it was for the Surveyor-General to attend to; the wall was in most places strong, and the pallisadoes were thought by her late Majesty to be convenient and ornamental. The door was taken away and walled up in obedience to the King, but he (the Earl) had a freehold right to the same. The alehouses were forbidden and suppressed, except the suttlers adjoining the courts of guard, under the command of the Earl of Rumney, colonel of the Guards; he begged to inform them of the trouble he had had in suppressing that notoriously scandalous alehouse over against the Decoy, by two outlandish undertenants of one Mr. Beaubisson, a Frenchman, keeper of the King's setting dogs, &c., against whom, not obeying the King's commands, he was forced to take out writs to prosecute, as they thought no military execution could be used in England without the civil magistrate, but they had submitted, being better advised. The directions were observed in respect of additional building permitted the Lord Godolphin for his house in St. James's Park. In regard to plate in his custody to be brought into the Jewel House, he was most unjustly accused, as he had never had any plate out of the Jewel House, except what was brought into the back stairs or bedchamber, for the King's proper use. [Minuted:—“Send Coll. Godfrey a copy of this p[er]t to give an answer.”] He might, indeed, make a claim to a considerable quantity of plate, &c., due to him as groom of the stole upon the death of his royal master [Charles II.], which he never received, though it was solemnly promised. He requested that their Lordships would please to order the stop on his pension, payable out of the post office, to be removed, as was done to others, as his was granted on valuable considerations, viz., the surrender of the office of groom of the stole, and first gentlemen of the bedchamber, and of two patents and a release of a debt of 20,000l., as was known to the board and himself [? Mr. Lowndes], who drew up the patents; there were other material proofs, viz. their Majesties' most gracious condescensions and royal promises upon the sacred word of a King and Queen for the performance thereof. [Minuted:—“This part to be layd before ye King.”] Dated 14 Oct. 1700. Minuted on the dorse:—“Kensington, 26 Nov. 1700. See how farr he is paid, & when it was stopt. Again:—27 Nov. 1700. In July 1694 the Postma^rs Generall had directions from the then Lords of the Treasury to cause 1,250£. to be paid the Earle of Bath for halfe a year on his pencion, which was due at Michaelmas 1692, since w^ch time no further payment has been made thereupon. [Added.] So there is in arrear to Mich. last for 8 years, twenty thousand pounds, 20,000£.” In the Minute Book, Vol. XI., p. 15, 11 July 1701, is:—“582. 13. 3. to E. of Bath to be pd.” Again, at p. 16:—“L~re for 5,233. 18. 8. to Earl of Bath & al. is read and approved.” 3 pages.
Oct. 15.	50. A letter signed “John Cooper,” to Charles Mason, Esq., [one of the controllers of the Mint], in reference to what he had deposed on the 9th of the month before the Lords of the Treasury, respecting Mr. Greenall, in matters depending between Mr. Molyneux and the said Greenall, stating that since his examination other things had been brought to his memory. [See the paper of 8 Oct. 1700, No. 42.] Dated 15 8^br 1700. 1½ pages.
Oct. 15.	51. Copy of the Lords of the Treasury's order to the Com^rs of the Navy for payment of 6,459l. 16s. 7½d. to Richard Povey, Esq., receiver for the sick and wounded, out of the 20,000l. directed by Act of Parliament for the debts of this service. Dated 15 Oct. 1700. 1 page.
[? About Oct. 16.]	52. Report signed “J. Stanley,” to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Edmund Williamson, assistant serjeant-at-arms, in favour of his receiving six months' salary. Undated, but the order for payment in the Money Book, Vol. XV., p. 189, is dated 16 Oct. 1700. 1 page.
[About Oct. 16.]	53. Memorandum that the Com^rs of Customs had thought fit to allow a moiety of their share in all penalties recovered by information or seizure, of customable goods imported contrary to law, for the encouragement of such as should discover the same. Minuted:—“Read 16 Oct. 1700.” 1 page.
Oct. 16.	54. Report of Mr. J. Taylour to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Francis Armitage and others for the charges of passing four commissions for administration of the government, in the King's absence, in 1697, 8, and 9, and 1700; and for a commission for Ecclesiastical affairs: certifying that the bill was reasonable, and suggesting that the money should be paid to Mr. Henry Baker, that the executors of Mr. Armitage might be paid, as well as the other officers. Dated 16 Oct. 1700. The said petition and a schedule of the fees. Minuted:—“Ordered. L~re writ 22 Jan. 1700.” 3 pages.
Oct. 16.	55. Abstract of payments made by Mr. Richard Povey, Receiver for the Sick and Wounded Seamen, towards clearing the old debt for the sick and wounded seamen at Deptford, Gravesend, Rochester, Deal, Dover, Sandwich, Margate, and Ramsgate. Also payments ordered by their Lordships on 16 Oct. 1700. 4 pages.
[? About Oct. 18.]	56. Report signed by the Earl of Ranelagh and George Clark, on the memorial of Col. Charles Ross as to the subsistence and pay of the regiment of dragoons under his command. Minuted:—“18 Oct. 1700. To be layd before ye K. Again:—12 Nov. 1700. Read, the 890^li 17^s 4^d due to his reg^t above the reduced pay is to be allowed and paid in Ireland. W^t signed 20^th Nov^r 1700.” 2½ pages.
Oct. 20.	57. Letter of Sir Edw. Seymour, late [? Paymaster] of the Navy, to William Lowndes, Esq., expressing sorrow that he is once more called on for despatch of his accounts. Mr. Maddock was then paymaster to Sir Tho. Littelton, if he had notice to appear he supposed he would be ready to give the board all manner of satisfaction. He would hasten to town to expedite the matter. Dated 20 Oct. 1700. In the Minute Book, Vol. X., p. 142, 25 Oct. 1700, is:— “M^r Madox saies he & the clerks will have gone thorow the acco^ts of my Lord Orford & S^r Thomas Littleton by X'mas next, and that then he & the Navy board will soon adjust S^r Edw. Seymour's acco^t in y^e new method w^ch that board hath insisted upon.” 1 page.
Oct. 23.	58. Proposal made by the searchers to the Lords of the Treasury for a tidesman to be sent on board when East India goods, tobacco, &c. were entered outwards, and to remain till the ship departed from the Hope, below Gravesend, and for some other regulations to be made about the same. Dated 23 Oct. 1700. 1 page.
Oct. 25.	59. Warrant of the Lords of the Treasury, with their signatures, to the King's Remembrancer of the Exchequer, requiring him to forbear issuing any process against John Ellis, Esq., Receiver-General of the Taxes, until the first day of Hilary Term, and if process were already issued, to supersede the same. Dated 25 Oct. 1700. 1 page.
Oct. 25.	60. Report of Henry Baker, Esq., to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Lewis Williams, clerk of the kitchen of Lord Griffin, in favour of paying a claim of 320l. due from Lord Griffin out of his Lordship's estate. Dated 25 Oct. 1700. The petition referred to. In the Minute Book, Vol. X., p. 152, 19 Nov. 1700, is:— “Lewis Williams petⁿ that a debt of 200^l principall mony and interest due to him from the Lord Griffin may be paid out of the estate, read and granted.” 2 pages.
[About Oct. 25.]	61. Petition (signed) of Francis Barry to the Lords of the Treasury, praying payment of the arrears of his salary as referred to in the report of the Com^rs of Customs for 17 Oct. 1698, and for his travelling charges. He hoped their Lordships would not think him less worthy of his salary than those who served under him. Accompanied by a schedule of the moneys that had accrued to the King, &c., and another paper. Minuted:—“Read 25 Oct. 1700. My Lords find his petition was dismissed on 17 July last, and this petition is rejected.” 4 pages.
Oct. 25.	62. Warrant to the Remembrancer of the Exchequer to forbear issuing process against John Andrews, Esq., Receiver-General of the Taxes for the county of Warwick; who was then upon his account before the auditor. Dated 25 Oct. 1700. Part of a page.
Oct. 26.	63. Certificate signed “B. Bridges, auditor,” addressed to the Lords [of the Treasury], finding that the allowances craved by the administratrix of Mordecai Abbot, sworn to by his assistant, did not exceed what had been allowed to others, &c. Dated 26 Oct. 1700. Written at the end of the paper containing the same, as follows:— “Charges in passing y^e acco^t of Mordecai Abbot, Esq^r., late Rec^r Gen^ll & Cashier of his Ma^ts Customs in order to his quietus, from 20^th April 1699, y^e date of said Abbot's letters patent, to 29 February following, y^e day of his death.” Also charges in passing his account of the new impositions on silk, linen, &c.; further upon the Customs and new impositions. 5 pages.
Oct. 28.	64. Certificate of the mayor and “jurats” of the port of Rye in favour of Francis Young's appointment as bailiff there, if it were the King's pleasure to grant him the office, as they were informed he had an assignment of the office from John Byndloss of Portsea island. Dated 28 Oct. 1700. Minuted:—“R. to M^r Att. to consider whether this office may legally be granted for a term of years.” 1 page.
Oct. 31.	65. Letter of the Lords Justices of Ireland to the Lords of the Treasury, desiring them to lay the case of the off-reckonings of the late foot regiments commanded by the Earl of Drogheda, Col. Michelburn, Col. Creichtoun, Col. St. John, and the Earl of Donnegall before the King, and to communicate the King's pleasure thereon. Dated 31 Oct. 1700. Also a paper showing the amounts due. Minuted:—“Read 27 Nov. 1700. The King will not allow the coll^or y^e money as perquisites, but it is to be reserved for the King's use.” 1 page and 2 halves.
Nov. 1.	66. Letter signed B. Granville, to the Lords of the Treasury, transmitting a memorial from himself and intreating them to take it into consideration. Dated 1 Nov. 1700. Also, “The proposall of Mr. Bernard Granville, concerning Mote Park,” viz., that as the King intended to contract with the Duke of Albemarle to purchase the estate for 7,000l., and as he expected in the interim until payment of the principal should be made, full interest at 6 per cent., so the memorialist proposed that what remained unpaid of the interest from the commencem^t of his title to the land, should be added to the principal, that is from 6 Oct. 1688, being upwards of twelve years; the lawful interest of 7,000l. amounted to 120l. per ann. more than the petitioner had ever received, and that would make the whole amount to 8,440l.; he proposed further that the large house, gardens, &c. at Mote Park should be exchanged with him for the house and ground at the Bird Cage in St. James' Park, where he lived: he flattered himself that this would be so agreable to their L^ps that they would not only approve but would report it with convenient speed to His Majesty, and that they would be induced to incline the King to consider the payment of his arrears and annuity, and that the King would direct a present supply of a thousand pounds upon the said arrears and annuity, as he owed all his necessities and misfortunes to the interruptions of these payments, altho' purchased by the hazard of his life upon several occasions, by the loss of his liberty for many years, by the ruin of his estate, and by forty years constant and faithful service. Minuted:—“Read 1 Nov. 1700. Look out y^e minutes on ye hearing. To be layd before ye K.” In the Minute Book, Vol. X., p. 152, 19 Nov. 1700, is:— “Mr. Granvill's mem^ll relating to Mote Park is read. The King will goe no further then the agreem^t with the Duke of Albemarle.” There are also two or three other minutes in the same book in his favour. 3½ pages.
Nov 2.	67. Report of S. Travers, Esq., Surveyor-General, addressed to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Owen Roberts, gent., finding that he was tenant of some small parcels of land in Anglesey, and purchased the lease at a very dear rate, and that the office of steward and keeper of the courts of Menay in that county was void by the death of Sir William Williams, Knt. and Bart., and the petitioner desired to obtain the same, which was rather honorary than profitable, the fee being 5l. per ann.: leaving it to their Lordships. Dated 2 Nov. 1700. Also the petition. Minuted:—“Granted to M^r Roberts.” 2 pages.
Nov. 2.	68. Report of Mr. J. Taylour to the Lords of the Treasury, on the bill of Capt. George De la Vale, of extraordinary expenses relating to the Morocco agents, up to the 15th of Oct. last, beyond 4l. 10s. for lodging, and 10l. a week for their diet and entertainment, paid by the cofferer. The expenses included the carrying them to see different exhibitions, and amongst the rest “a prize fought;” informing their Lordships that the captain could not produce vouchers, nor would he be sworn; leaving it to them to say how far it was satisfactory, &c. Dated 2 Nov. 1700. There are five minutes on the back. The bill was ordered to be paid, and on the last of Jan. 1700–1 “A warr^t for this” was ordered. 1 page.