|
| 1696. April 3. |
Present:—Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith. |
|
Mr. Neal and Mr. Hall [are called in]; my Lords hasten them in
preparing for the Country Mints. |
|
[Send] to my Lord Lucas and Mr. Charlton, Surveyor of the Ordnance,
that the porter of the Mint, Richard Dallow, may be put in possession
of the Martin Tower which (as my Lords are informed) is in his patent;
because the house in which he now dwells is to be converted into a new
Melting House for the Mint. |
|
Memorandum: to speak to Mr. Knight to advance money for the
works of the Mint. |
|
An Association to be prepared for [subscription by all the officers of]
this [the Treasury] Office: and all the officers and receivers under this
Board are to be written to for the like. |
|
Sir William Gore [is called in and] complains that Mr. Dodington
will not assign the interest [along] with their tallies [on which such
interest grows] though they lose much more to have them discounted.
My Lords will speak with Mr. Dodington. |
|
[My Lords direct the following issues viz.] out of tallies on the
Annuity Act: |
|
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
for the Commissioners of Transports, to be for
victualling 8,000 men returned to Ostend |
8010 |
11 |
0 |
|
towards providing shipping for 1,700 horses and
men to Holland |
2148 |
8 |
6 |
|
for the Zealand privateers for victualling soldiers
from Ostend |
351 |
9 |
4 |
|
|
£10508 |
8 |
10 |
|
Send a letter to the Navy Board and the Navy Treasurer to apply [as
follows out] of the tallies in his hands on the Continued Impositions, viz. |
|
|
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
the first [of such tallies coming] in course, to raise
35,000l. for a quarter to the Yards due at [. . . . .] |
35000 |
0 |
0 |
|
the next [thereof in course]: for imprests and bills
of exchange |
20000 |
0 |
0 |
|
the next [thereof in course]: to be applied to the
course of the Navy |
100000 |
0 |
0 |
|
the next [thereof in course] to pay 15,000l. to the
sick and wounded for the first half year of 1695:
half thereof to be charged to the account of the
victualling and half to the account of wages |
15000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Treasury Minute Book VIII., p. 272. |
April 9,
afternoon. |
Present:—Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith. |
|
The gentlemen of the Bank are called in about the remises [the
remittances of exchange to Holland for the subsistence of the Forces]
for next year. They are to be here again on Wednesday morning. |
|
The Victuallers [are called in]. |
|
The Earl of Mountrath and Mr. Higgins are to be heard on Tuesday
afternoon. |
|
[Send directions to the Customs Commissioners to allow] the Spanish
Ambassador's wine, about 25 tuns, to be imported on paying the Duties. |
|
My Lords will speak with the Customs Commissioners on Tuesday
afternoon. |
|
The Earl of Ranelagh is to put in his [next weekly] memorial [for
money for the Forces the usual pension item of] 600l. for my Lord Fairfax. |
|
Mr. Crumpton to be Receiver of the House money in Yorkshire. |
|
[My Lords order] Mr. Brunskell 50l. |
|
Mr. Knight to be here on Monday. Treasury Minute Book VIII.,
p. 273. |
April 13,
afternoon. |
Present:—Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith. |
|
Mr. Knight [attends and informs my Lords that out of the Customs
receipts he] will pay in 200l. a week for the works of the Mint by [way
of] advance on the Coinage Duty money, and 500l. for extraordinaries
this week. |
|
If tallies on the Excise for 20,000l. be levied Mr. Burton and Mr.
Knight will endeavour to raise the moneys for rewards for apprehending
traitors and other uses. |
|
Mr. Knight [informs my Lords that he will] advance 100l. to pay
for two mills brought out of Lancashire pursuant to the [Coinage] Act. |
|
Memorandum, that some public notice be given that Receivers and
Collectors do take the four payments [on the Land tax] at once in clipt
money according to the Act for the 4s. in the pound. |
|
Send to the Agents for Taxes to be here to-morrow night. |
|
Whereas divers tallies of loan have lately been levied at the Receipt
of Exchequer on credit of the Hereditary and Temporary Excise, that is
to say for the salaries of the Judges of England, Masters in Chancery
and Judges of Chester for the terms of Trinity, Michaelmas and Hilary
last [to the total of] 10,350l.; likewise for the Master of the Robes 2,000l.
and in the name of Mr. Bartholomew Burton for divers uses 2,500l.
and 5,000l.; making in all 19,850l.; my Lords do consent that there
shall be allowed for the said loans respectively interest after the rate of
6 per cent. per annum and gratuity after the rate of 2 per cent. per
annum from the dates of the tallies of loan until the respective times of
repayment. Ibid., p. 274. |
April 14,
afternoon. |
Present:—Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the
Exchequer. |
|
[Send word] to the Attorney General to be here this day week. |
|
[Send] to the Excise Commissioners to be here on Friday next. |
|
[My Lords direct] 20,000l. for the Cofferer of the Household; to
be issued per tallies on the Excise. |
|
The Agents for Taxes [attend and] are directed to write to the
[county] Receivers to receive the clipt moneys pursuant to the Act [for
the 4s. Land Tax]. |
|
The Customs Commissioners are called in. As to the 25 tons [of wine
imported] for the Spanish Ambassador from St. Sebastian it is to
pass by the King's direction; but as to all other wine from thence my
Lords tell them the King thinks there is a great collusion and they [the
Commissioners] must hold as strict a hand over them [the importers of
such French wines from St. Sebastian] as they can. |
|
[The Commissioners say that] Mr. Manley and Mr. Coke are going to
St. Sebastian and they will have instructions from the Customs
Commissioners to enquire what wines grow in the Spanish country
there and other circumstances [relative to the said collusion] and the
Commissioners propose that none others should be sent thither till
these gentlemen give the Commissioners an account how things are. |
|
The counsel for the Earl of Mountrath and Mr. Alexander Higgens
are called in. On behalf of Mr. Higgens it is desired he may have the
benefit of the King's order for 400l. and interest out of the estate of
the late Earl of Tyrconnel (being about 800l. a year) now in custodiam
to the Earl of Mountrath (for a term to end in May next), before a new
custodiam be granted to him [said Earl]. |
|
On behalf of the Earl of Mountrath it is urged that the order for Mr.
Higgens has no relation to any lands which were then in grant; but
he is to be paid out of the rest of the Earl of Tyrconnel's estate (about
2,000l. a year) not granted away, and it is desired that the warrant may
pass for a new custodiam to the Earl of Mountrath. |
|
Mr. Higgens says there is not two pence by the year of the Earl of
Tyrconnel's estate ungranted besides this. |
|
Mr. Dodd says there is 50l. a year in the county of Dublin besides
a great house [which] had 10,000l. laid out upon it. |
|
[Send] to Mr. Blathwait to be here on Friday about the coins of
Maryland. Ibid., p. 275. |
April 15.
Kensington. |
Present:—The King, Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor
of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith. |
|
[The King directs my Lords to send] a letter to the Attorney General
to prepare a proclamation and to bring it to the Privy Council on
Friday morning, requiring all collectors of taxes and [Crown] revenues
to receive such clipt money as the Act requires them to accept till the
4th of May next and particularly receive at once 2, 3 or 4 quarters
upon the Land Tax upon a clause in the Act for the same; and to
require the Receivers General of the Taxes to receive clipt moneys from
the collectors according to the Act in that behalf; taking care that
when they or the head collectors receive any clipt moneys from the
particular collectors they seal it up and keep it so [sealed] distinctly
[from other moneys so] that they may be able to swear when they
bring the money to the Exchequer that it is the very money by them
received from the collectors for his Majesty's taxes: and that [Assessment] Commissioners, Receivers General and Collectors be respectively
enjoined to use speed and diligence in the raising, collecting and bringing up to the Exchequer the said clipt moneys. |
|
Send to Mr. Burton and Mr. Knight to attend on Friday afternoon. |
|
Send to the Navy Commissioners to view the accounts of Sir Edward
Seymour as late Treasurer of the Navy and to make states thereof
with observations thereon and to present them to my Lords on Friday. |
|
[Send to] Mr. Hooke to attend my Lords then. |
|
[My Lords will sit] on Monday next in the afternoon for [the consideration of] petitions. Ibid., p. 276. |
April 17.
Treasury Chambers, Whitehall. |
Present:—Four Lords ut supra. |
|
[Send word to] the Navy Commissioners and Mr. Maddocks, Mr.
Hook, Mr. Dodington and Mr. Charles Shales to be here on Tuesday
afternoon next about the accounts of the Navy. |
|
The Lord Mayor and other gentlemen of the Bank are called in.
The Lord Mayor says they cannot furnish other credits on the remises
[of exchange to Holland for the subsistence of the Troops] unless they
may have [repayment in the form of] new money or guineas; other
banks discount tallies at 8, 10 or 12 per cent. which is a great prejudice
to the Royal [sic] Bank: and their credits are stopped in Holland
though the King wrote [on their behalf] to have that stop [taken] off on
application [being] made to him; and that it is impossible for them
to go on: and as to any new contract for a further time in the
remittances they [the gentlemen of the Bank] can come to no resolution
till they see how it is like to go in relation to the new [Land] Bank
that is setting up. |
|
The proposal for raising [the tariff of] the coin in Maryland is ordered
to be referred to Mr. Blathwayt. |
|
[Write to] the Excise Commissioners, Sir Scroop How and Mr.
Story to be here on Tuesday next. |
|
My Lords take off the last order which they gave concerning Mr.
Wilcox's brewing vessels and leave the [Excise] Commissioners to
proceed according to law. |
|
The Navy Commissioners [attend and] present memorials concerning
the Victuallers in general and the accounts of Admiral Russell. |
|
Mr. Burton and Mr. Knight [attend and] say they can furnish
clipt money on my Lord Ranelagh's tallies for subsistence. Treasury
Minute Book VIII., p. 277. |
April 20.
Kensington. |
Present:—The King: my Lords ut supra. |
|
[The King directs] Mr. Burton and Mr. Knight to attend to-morrow
morning at 9 o'clock. |
|
Send to Mr. Smith [the] goldsmith to be here on Wednesday. The
Earl of Ranelagh to attend then. |
|
[Write] to Sir William Blackett that Sir John Fenwick has an annuity
from him and is fled from justice and that he [Blackett] take care he
may suffer no prejudice by paying that annuity upon any assignments from Sir John Fenwick made after the treason committed. |
|
The King resolves there shall be a distinct solicitor only [purely]
for the affairs of the Treasury. |
|
[The King directs my Lords to] send for Sturt and Neal to bid for
Freind's share in the brewhouse; and Mr. Baker to be here then. |
|
[The King directs] my Lords to send for Mr. Duncomb [to attend]
at the Treasury and to agree with him about the money embezzled
by the billman. Ibid., p. 278. |
April 21,
morning. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall. |
Present:—My Lords ut supra. |
|
Mr. Knight and Mr. Burton [attend and inform my Lords they]
will endeavour to get 30,000l. in guineas to be remitted this night for
Flanders. Ibid., p. 279. |
|
Eodem die, afternoon. |
Present:—Lord Godolphin, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith. |
|
Sir Edward Seymour, the Navy Commissioners and others come in
about Sir Edward's Navy accounts. |
|
The [Navy] Commissioners except expect these things [following to
be observed in the Navy Treasurer's accounts]. For the ministers if
the money paid be less than charged the Treasurer must be answerable.
If he has paid the slopsellers, the money will be allowed. If the purser
has received as much as they find on the [Navy Treasurer's] books it
will be allowed. |
|
Mr. Madocks [is ordered] to go to the Navy Board with the vouchers
he has and they are to represent [to my Lords] wherein they find them
defective with their reasons. This [representation of theirs is] to be
communicated to Mr. Madoc to make his observations upon so that
the whole may be laid before the King. |
|
The Commissioners are to observe the same method concerning
the account of my Lord Falkland. |
|
The Victuallers, Mr. Dodington and Auditor Bridges are to be here
on Friday afternoon next. |
|
The Excise Commissioners [are called in with] Sir Scroop How and
Mr. Story. The Commissioners desire that Sir Scroop may keep the
same number of clerks as Mr. Ashmole did, which would [be sufficient
staff to] carry on the accounts of the Excise for the time to come: but
a greater number will be requisite to bring up [to date] the accounts
that are in arrear. |
|
Sir Scroop says he has, within [the limit of] one [clerk] as many
clerks as there were [under Mr. Ashmole] and enough to carry on the
work there; but twill be hard for him to find clerks to do the work
which should have been done by his predecessor. |
|
Mr. Story says if the accounts were even he has assistance enough
to carry them on, or Sir Scroop would allow more. Being asked why
these accounts run in arrear in Ashmole's time he answers these are
properly the Commissioners' accounts and they should make them up
themselves; Mr. Ashmole had 9 clerks; Sir Scroop has 8. Sir Scroop
must keep 9 able clerks with good salaries. |
|
Sir Scroop says they want [lack] in the whole 40l. a year upon their
salaries: Ashmole allowed 720l. per an.; none had less than 60l. a year,
some 80l. a year. |
|
The Commissioners say Sir Scroop allows but 460l. a year besides
one clerk whose salary is not known to them. |
|
My Lords say [to Sir Scroop that they do] expect [him] to keep the same
number of clerks and allow as good salaries as Ashmole did; but as
to the extra charge to bring up the accounts in arrear it is not reasonable
that Sir Scroop should be at the charge [thereof and they decide
that] such charge be paid him by way of incidents. Mr. Story is to
propose in writing what instruments he would have [to help him] and
in what time [he expects to be able] to make up these accounts. |
|
Mr. Smith [is called in]. My Lords take notice of his forwardness
to serve the public in the affair of the moneys and direct him to attend
to-morrow at Kensington. |
|
[My Lords order the Attorney General to] supersede the process ad
computandum against Lord Griffin till the beginning of next term.
Ibid., pp. 279–280. |
April 22.
Kensington. |
Present:—The King: Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor
of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith. |
|
The Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwayte [are called in, and the
King orders] 300l. for subsistence of the soldiers when prisoners in
Dunkirk, to pay their bills; and 500l. (at 50l. a Company) "for
subsistence money further"; and 272l. for recruiting the men lost:
likewise 160l. to pay Robinson's bill [of exchange drawn] from Sweden. |
|
The gentlemen of the Bank attend. Sir William Scawen says they
will remit the [Flanders subsistence] money by a management [i.e.
on a commission basis] or [alternatively] they will contract for 1, 2,
or 3 months at the present rate of exchange; but they must be [re]paid
in ready money and whatsoever shall further come in of the money
which was intended to be borrowed in Holland and whatsoever they
can spare besides (saving their own credit) shall be ready for his
Majesty's present service. |
|
Memorandum: to speak to Mr. Floyer et al. about the gold delivered
back from the Mint. |
|
The gentlemen of the Bank come in again, and are told that the King
does not think fit [to approve] of their drawing [on the Treasury in reimbursement of their bills of exchange for subsistence money] for the
Army, upon their proposal just now [under deliberation] and the King
will consider their memorial for their loss last year, when they come to
propose for a new contract after the 4th of May is over: at present my
Lords must [by the King's orders] endeavour to get guineas; and
thereupon they [the Bank] must remit according to their contract not
yet ended. |
|
[Send] to Sir William Gore and Mr. Blathwayt to attend on Friday. |
|
[The King directs] Lord Morley, [and Colonels] Hunsdon, Eure and
Willoughby to be paid a year each. |
|
The King will send a list of arrears to be granted. |
|
Mr. Smith [the] goldsmith is told that the King takes notice of his
zeal for the public and for his Majesty's service. Treasury Minute
Book VIII., p. 281. |
April 24.
Treasury Chambers, Whitehall. |
Present:—Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith. |
|
Sir John Fleet [is called in]. He desires that the East India Company
may have leave to discount the tallies put into their hands on the Land
Tax [as in payment] for the saltpetre and powder which they buy in
Holland for the King. My Lords [tell him they] will consider it. |
|
Sir Hen. Furnese, Mr. Knight and others of the Bank [are called in]
about remitting 20,000l. to Holland. Mr. Knight and Mr. Burton
[undertake that they] will furnish the Bank with good notes or such
money as they'll accept [in repayment] for it. They [the Bank]
offer to remit the said sum for [at the exchange rate of] 9 guilders 5
stivers. My Lords [inform them they] will acquaint the King with this
before they conclude [an agreement]. |
|
The Earl of Portland [is called in]. He desires 3,000l. in arrear [for
the Privy Purse] for 6 weeks to Jan. 1 last on the 500l. a week directed
for the Privy Purse, the [which] money [is] since paid by him: he says
he shall be 10,000l. out of pocket before the King goes away and desires
ready money and that the payments for the Privy Purse for next
summer may be settled. |
|
My Lords [tell him they] will take the King's pleasure herein and
[desire that he] will endeavour to raise some money on his tallies. The
500l. a week is 26,000l. per an. to which there is added 4,000l. at the
year's end to make up 30,000l. |
|
His lordship proposes to contract for the whole expense of the
gardens for the future at 1,000l. a year or thereabouts above the constant
establishments. |
|
My Lords will pay Mr. Digby some part of his arrears of salary in
case he performs his duty as Clerk of the Fee Farms. |
|
Mr. Abbot will write to Mr. Hill to draw all he can [in the way of
bills of exchange from Holland for the subsistence] for the Forces.
Ibid., p. 282. |
| April 28. |
Present:—ut supra. |
|
Sir Henry Ashurst [is called in and] desires that the naval stores
now come from New England may pass Customs free according to
what was intended. [My Lords tell him that] the duties must be paid
because [that Duty is] appropriated but upon certificate produced [of
the payment they will give warrant for it] to be refunded out of unappropriated moneys. |
|
[Send] to the Navy Commissioners to attend my Lords on Thursday
morning about providing stores for the Navy. |
|
Mr. Sturt and Mr. Neal the brewer [are] to be here on Thursday
morning. |
|
The gentlemen of the Bank come in. They have had a Court of
Directors and cannot compute the loss of exchange what it will be.
They would know what money shall be paid here. [They promise
that] in 8 or 10 days' time Mr. Hill shall touch 80,000l. or 100,000l.
if they can possibly [manage it] but they must have the money [back
again] from the King in 2 months or thereabouts. They'll take at
present for security tallies on the Duties on wines, vinegar and tobacco
for 100,000l. but when the bills become due they must have money
(instead of those deposited tallies) and the choice of any money that
shall be in my Lords' power: and it is to be recommended to Mr.
Burton and Mr. Knight to take care that the money be provided against
the time. The King is to bear the whole charge of this management
and in pursuance of this Mr. Hill shall be furnished with a million of
florins in 8 or 10 days if it be possible. Ibid., p. 283. |
|
Eodem die, afternoon. |
Present:—ut supra. |
|
Mr. Neal a brewer attends: and Mr. Sturt says the whole concern
of Sir John Freind in the brewhouse by the utmost value is 5,000l.
They will put in a proposition which is to be presented to the King. |
|
The Earl of Portland [attends and moves my Lords] for money for
the Privy Purse. My Lords tell him they have provided for 12,000l.
to be paid in Holland by 2,000l. a month for 6 months to come [for the
Privy Purse]. |
|
[Send] a letter to Mr. Aldworth to attend [the King and my Lords]
at Kensington to-morrow at 5 o'clock with my Lord Portland's [lease]
particular. |
|
[My Lords order] Mr. Killigrew 100l. |
|
The Victuallers [attend and represent to my Lords that they] want
new money or broad money or guineas to pay short allowance [money]
and necessary [money] and extraordinary necessary money for the
fleet [now] come home. |
|
The Commissioners of Transports [attend. My Lords order them]
to have letters on the Continued Impositions for the sums demanded
in their memorial of this day. |
|
[My Lords order] Mr. Dodington, the Auditors [of Imprests], the
Victuallers and Mr. Reynolds to attend on Monday morning about
Admiral Russell's victualling account. |
|
[Send] to Mr. Hook to attend the stating of my Lord Falkland's
account during the time that Mr. Shales was his cashier, and that he
do deliver it to the Navy Commissioners in order to be examined and
passed. |
|
The gentlemen of the Bank come in and inform my Lords they are
come to this resolution that the million of guilders shall be furnished
to Mr. Hill. |
|
They are [desired by my Lords] to come to Kensington to-morrow.
Ibid., p. 284. |
April 29.
Kensington. |
Present:—The King, Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor
of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith. |
|
Sir Stephen Evance et al. [are called in and] offer to sell a quantity
of gold 40,000l. in value at 5l. an ounce. [Their proposal is] not agreed
to. |
|
The gentlemen of the Bank come in [and inform the King that] they
will furnish the million of guilders for the army and will send [instructions] about it to Mr. Hill by first post and the King agrees to what is
[here] underwritten, viz: |
|
The Directors of the Bank of England have promised the Lords of
the Treasury to do all they can to furnish Mr. Hill with one
million of guilders; and they are to have delivered to them as
a deposit 120,000l. in tallies and orders upon [the duties on]
wines, vinegar and tobacco: and the Lords of the Treasury
do promise that the full amount of the said one million of
guilders shall be paid to the Bank of England precisely at two
months according to the course of the exchange [ruling] at the
same time when the moneys are paid to Mr. Hill, and he shall
then [at those times] adjust the price of the exchange and certify
the same under his hand to the Lords of the Treasury and also
a duplicate thereof to the Bank of England. And the Bank are
to be allowed all incident charges accruing thereupon [at the
times] when the said tallies are to be returned to the Treasury.
And the Bank is to receive no more of the 120,000l. than in
proportion to what the Bank shall furnish of the said million
of guilders for the use of the army in Flanders. |
|
[The King directs the] Envoy of Savoy or his deputy to have tallies
from the Earl of Ranelagh for the subsidy [to the Duke of Savoy]
amounting to 96,000l. and my Lord is to enquire what the exchange
thereof will amount to. Afterwards [on further discussion it was]
resolved the King will allow 4,000l. towards the [cost of the] exchange. |
|
[The King orders] 30,000l. in tallies on the Continued Impositions
as in part of 55,866l. 6s. 2d. to clear the General officers [Staff] including the Danes to Jan. 1 last. [He further orders] 4,684l. 9s. in the
like tallies for the Dutch officers [specified] in Vander Esch's paper. |
|
[The King directs that my Lords] meet here again on Friday at
10 o'clock forenoon. Treasury Minute Book VIII., p. 285. |
April 30.
Treasury Chambers, Whitehall. |
Present:—Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr.
Smith. |
|
The Navy Commissioners attend concerning making contracts
[with merchants] to furnish stores [for the Navy] for next year. |
|
[Send] to the Eastland merchants to come hither on Saturday morning; [likewise to] Mr. Joy, Mr. Gold, Mr. Martin and the rest. Ibid.,
p. 286. |
