Treasury Calendar: May 1696 | British History Online

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 11, 1696-1697. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1933.

Citation:

'Treasury Calendar: May 1696', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 11, 1696-1697, ed. William A Shaw( London, 1933), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol11/pp8-21 [accessed 24 November 2024].

May 1696



May 1. Kensington.	Present:—The King: Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith.
	[The King peruses a scheme of Civil List payments and orders that] the money already paid to the [Cofferer of the] House[hold] since Lady Day be part of the sum in the list for the Household.
	The like for the Stables and the other Public Offices.
	[The King directs] my Lords to prepare a scheme of a reducement [on the basis] as if there were money to pay all arrears to the [King's and the late Queen's] servants and to present it to the Lords Justices for their perusal and approbation.
	[The King agrees to] 4,800l. per annum for the Gardens.
	[The King directs the] distribution of the charities to the French Refugees to be according to signification from the Archbishop of Canterbury or such as he shall appoint.
	[The King directs that] the 50,000l. for the Princess [of Denmark] must not be in this list for she must be paid out of the Excise itself (and not loans) according to her patent.
	[He further directs as follows concerning] the [King's ambassadors or] Foreign Ministers as in the list [not detailed]: the Secretaries of State to give notice to them that for the future the regulations for their extraordinaries shall be observed.
	the Privy Purse, 37,000l.
	Secret Service 30,000l.
	Mr. South to have his salary from the death of Mr. Sedgwick.
	Mr. Evelyn's fine of 300l. to be reduced to half.
	Lord Coningsby to have a grant in fee of the lands be now holds in custodiam.
	Lord Galway the same.
	The money remaining on Sir John Guise's privy seal to be paid according to the direction of his will.
	[The King orders that] as soon as the 4th of May is past my Lords are to come to an agreement as soon as possible for the remittances [to Flanders] for the Army.
	The King commands my Lords to take care that the orders [for the regulation thereof] be observed in St. James's Park.
	Sir William Gore [attends and informs the King that he] will remit 20,000l. to Hamburg for subsidies [to the Princes] and other uses of the Army.
	[The King directs preparation of] a warrant to licence my Lords or such as they shall appoint to export the 200,000l. value of gold or silver bullion.
	The King recommends to my Lords to redress miscarriages in the managing the revenues of Excise and Customs and to look into the abuses amongst the officers in the Exchequer.
	The King leaves it to my Lords to employ Mr. Davenant in the Excise.
	[The King orders] that the profits and exercise of auditor Done's place be reduced as much as possible.
	[The King orders] that York, Exeter, Norwich and Hereford be the places for the four Country Mints [for the re-coinage].
	[Send word to] Sir William Scawen and Sir William Gore to be at the Treasury to-morrow morning. Ibid., p. 287.
May 2, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Whitehall.	Present:—My Lords ut supra.
	[My Lords order] 40l. to Mr. Vavasor.
	The Eastland Merchants [Company are called in] about contracting for naval stores. They will come again on next Tuesday afternoon. [Send word] to the Navy Board to be here then.
	The [army] clothiers come in. My Lords [promise them they] will dispatch the rest of their assignments for this year. Ibid., p. 288.
May 5, afternoon.	Present:—Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	The Commission for constituting Sidney Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Charles Montagu Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Smith and Sir Thomas Littleton as Treasury Commissioners bears date the 2nd inst., which is read.
	[Send] to the Glass Commissioners to present to my Lords their methods for collecting the duties on tobacco pipes and earthen wares and to be as particular therein as they can.
	Sir Robert Howard [attends] about settling the methods in the Exchequer for the Bills of Credit [Exchequer Bills]. He would have that business executed [in an office] by itself: for the Bills he will make [them into] a book and when he fills up the blank he will sign and seal the Bill and leave the counterpart in the book.
	[My Lords direct] Mr. Lowndes to wait on Sir Robert and adjust the method with him.
	Sir Samuel Burnardiston [attends. My Lords tell him that] the King has yet given no order. Write to Mr. Blathwayt to know the King's pleasure in his case.
	The Navy Commissioners [attend and inform my Lords they] think 300,000l. will remain for the course of the Navy besides the money already assigned for the same out of this year's funds.
	The Eastland Merchants [Company are called in and] are told how their [the Navy] funds for this year do stand and are like to prove.
	The Navy Commissioners are [directed] to let my Lords know what measures they take with the Eastland Merchants.
	[My Lords appoint] to-morrow morning for [the examination of] Admiral Russell's [victualling] account and all parties are to attend then.
	[Send] to the Chancellor [of the Exchequer] that my Lords will meet to-morrow morning.
	The gentlemen of the Bank [attend] and Mr. Abbot. [The latter promises that] he will deliver them tallies for 102,976l. 1s. 9d. struck for subsistence to 24 March last and there must be struck more on the Continued Impositions 17,823l. 18s. 3d. to make up 120,000l. which are to make good the 100,000l. which the Bank furnishes to Mr. Hill at Antwerp as per agreement and to be a security for that purpose.
	Sir William Gore says he will direct Mr. Stratford to give an account of the remittance of the 20,000l. for Ham[burg] with the [exchange] allowance of 2½ per cent. but he desires some assurance the money shall be paid here.
	[Send word] to Mr. Knight to be here to-morrow morning.
	Mr. Neal and Mr. Hall [are called in]. My Lords direct them to be speedy in providing the materials for the Country Mints, particularly for two of them at the first.
	Send to the Contractors for Farthings and Mr. Corbett to be here on Friday.
	[My Lords direct] double warrants for my Lord Coningsby and Lord Galway to be sent to the King with, and without, the clause of reprisals and to give their opinions that it is much more for his Majesty's service to sign the warrants without the clause than the other [form with the clause]. Treasury Minute Book VIII., p. 289.
May 6, forenoon.	Present:—All the five Lords.
	Mr. Burton, Mr. Knight and Mr. Smith, the goldsmith, [attend]. My Lords tell him [Smith] he has made a loan [as they hear] of 60,000l. without paying the money. He says he has made no advantage and he designs only a public service. [My Lords decide that] "for the money deposited in the Exchequer to be lent Mr. Smith is to give up tallies for them" and for the remainder he must bring the money into the Exchequer by to-morrow noon and if he fails of any part the remainder of his tallies are to be disposed [of] to those that will bring money for them; and the Tellers' clerks are strictly charged to observe the order sent them this morning not to throw down their bills till they actually receive the money.
	[Send a] letter to the Lord Deputy to pay Mr. South's salary from the death of Mr. Sedgwick.
	Mr. Dodington, the Auditor [Bridges] and the Victuallers [attend] about Admiral Russell's account of provisions bought in the Mediterranean. My Lords will endeavour to satisfy themselves what the real cost of the provisions were and Mr. Reynolds must attend them for that purpose. Ibid., p. 290.
May 6, Wednesday afternoon.	Present:—ut supra.
	[My Lords order] a warrant for the King's part of the seized lustrings and alamodes to be prepared in the name of Hilary Reneu. Ibid., p. 291.
May 7, afternoon.	Present:—Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith.
	[My Lords order] Sir Christopher Wren to be here to-morrow afternoon.
	My Lords will write to Mr. Blathwayte to know the King's pleasure concerning the patent to be granted to Lord Schonberg. Ibid., p. 292.
May 8, forenoon.	Present:—Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Thomas Littleton.
	[My Lords order] Auditor Bridges to attend this day week and also Mr. Fotherby about his [Fotherby's] account.
	Sir Edward Ascough is to be here at the same time about the account of Mr. Harbord.
	The Contractors for Farthings are to attend on Tuesday morning. Ibid., p. 293.
May 12, forenoon.	Present:—All the five Lords.
	Sir John Fleet comes in [my Lords tell him that] the East India Company having received 10,000 tallies on the Land Tax to pay for saltpetre and powder bought in Holland they are to obtain the money to be advanced on those tallies as cheap as is possible and to be allowed the discount at the King's charge.
	Send to the [Principal] officers of the Ordnance to be here on Friday afternoon about paying for the saltpetre and powder in Holland.
	[Send] to Auditor Bridges, the Victuallers, Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Dodington to be here on Friday morning.
	The officers of the Mint [attend. My Lords decide] to speak to Sir Christopher Wrenn this evening about the room belonging to the Office of the Works in the Mint and about the surveying of the new works there.
	The officers of the Mint [are again called in]. My Lords order that Mr. Neal send a deputy to York and another to Exeter to take care of convenient places to erect a Mint in each place and give him such instructions as are necessary.
	My Lords give them power to treat with Mr. Jett for his mill to be brought to the Tower for the King's service.
	The Navy Commissioners [are called in and] acquaint my Lords that they can get merchants to contract for about 400 or 500 tons of hemp and they shall want much more.
	Send to Mr. Taylor at Bifrons near Canterbury to come up to my Lords by Friday afternoon. [Send] to Sir William Gore, Mr. Martyn, Mr. Joy, Mr. Gold and Mr. Hall to be here then. The letter to these last [is] not to go till further order.
	[Send] to Mr. Knight and Mr. Burton to be here this afternoon.
	The Contractors for Farthings [attend and] say that when the contract [with them] was made copper was at 100l. a ton and it is now 130l. They desire that the farthings may be made accordingly whilst copper is at this price and that they may use foreign copper instead of English which is scarce and cannot be furnished as fast as the public service requires. The contract is at 21d. per pound avoirdupois with a half-penny remedy.
	These gentlemen and Mr. Neal [are appointed] to be here on Friday afternoon. Ibid., p. 294.
Eodem die, afternoon.	Present:—ut supra.
	[My Lords order] Auditor Bridges to state the Wine Licences account according to the contract.
	Mr. Marriot says Mr. Phillips in his proposal for Sir John Freind's estate bids only for the brewhouse. Mr. Nathaniell Phillip will give 5,000 guineas and 150l. in good silver for the share in the brewhouse, the goods distreyned by my Lord Coleraine and a jewel pawned, half thereof upon passing the grant and the other half in a month after and to give good security for the latter.
	[Note]. A copy of this agreement and of Sir Thomas Cook's petition [is] to be sent; and that there are other pretensions. Mention Sir Thomas's bond.
	On Thursday morning my Lords will read the Irish reports.
	[Send] to Sir Christopher Wrenn to lend the storehouse belonging to the Works in the Tower to the officers of the Mint to make a Melting House till the clipped money is recoined and then to be restored in the plight it is now in; and that he survey all the works lately done at the Mint for the present coinage and examine the workmen's bills for the same and report how far they are reasonable.
	The Commissioners for Glass are to be here on Friday morning.
	My Lords order Monsieur Heurard 50l. to carry him to Ireland and 50l. to Monsieur Gervaize for the like but to expect no [payment of] arrears: and to have an establishment [pension] of 50l. a year on the Establishment of Ireland according to the King's pleasure signified by my Lord Galway. Treasury Minute Book VIII., p. 295.
May 13, forenoon.	Present:—Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith.
	[My Lords order] the Lord Raby, Sir Robert Clayton and Lord Fairfax to be heard about the Post Fines on Tuesday afternoon. Ibid., p. 296.
May 14, forenoon.	Present:—Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith.
	[Send] to Mr. Packer to attend daily at the Exchequer during the time the clipt moneys shall remain there, for the better security of it now [that] the Tellers Offices are not capable of securing the whole; and that he do not go into the country. Ibid., p. 297.
May 15, afternoon.	Present:—Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith.
	The Commissioners of Glass and Tobacco Pipes etc., are to attend on Tuesday forenoon.
	Sir James Caldwell and Mr. Bagnall are to be heard on Tuesday afternoon.
	Mr. Dodington is to bring in his account of his cash [made up] to this time.
	Sir Christopher Wrenn says he will immediately deliver to Mr. Neal the keys of the Office of the Works in the Tower for the service of the Mint.
	Mr. Neal is directed to take care that officers be instructed in standarding of silver and doing other things that will be necessary for them to do in the Country Mints.
	The Customs Commissioners [attend]. It is recommended to them to give particular directions to their officers to seize any money conveying into foreign parts.
	Send to the Navy Commissioners and Mr. Dodington to be here to-morrow morning. Ibid., p. 298.
May 16, morning.	Present:—ut supra.
	On a memorial of Mr. Lancelot Burton this day read at the Board my Lords do allow that 2 per cent. per annum shall be paid on the Household tallies for 40,000l. levied on the Excise 21 March and 17 April last to wit from the date of the [levying of the said] tallies: [the same to be] as over and above the 6 per cent. per annum [interest].
	Send to Mr. Neal to expedite into the country the officers for the two Mints at York and Exeter.
	[My Lords direct] 30,000l. to be issued to the Navy Treasurer out of the new money of the loans on the fourth 4s. Aid: to be applied to wages: but the said Treasurer and also the Navy Commissioners are to present to my Lords this day week different [separate] accounts of the payment and application of this money; and the like accounts of the new money [are ordered] to be transmitted to my Lords every Saturday.
	Send to the Eastland Merchants, Sir William Gore, Mr. Martin, Mr. Joy, Mr. Gold and Mr. Hall to be here on Tuesday morning.
	[My Lords order] Mr. Durphy 20l.
	Likewise Mr. La Rue and Mr. Harris to have 50l. a piece.
	[My Lords order] Sir Edward Ayscough and Auditor Bridges with Mr. Abbot to attend on Tuesday afternoon about Mr. Harbord's account. Mr. Fotherby is to attend then about his account. Ibid., p. 299.
May 19, morning.	Present:—ut supra.
	Mr. Russell informs my Lords that he has appointed Mr. Corbet his cashier instead of Mr. Stephens, deceased.
	The Victuallers [attend as also] Auditor Bridges, Mr. Dodington and Mr. Reynolds about Admiral Russell's account [of the Victualling of his Fleet in the Mediterranean]. Mr. Reynolds says he only took the quantities of the provisions and so distributed them. Mr. Russell says the victuals were brought by his order and Mr. Reynolds received the quantities and issued them. Reynolds says he gave no receipts but charged himself with each quantity in his own book. Mr. Russell says he cannot produce any invoyce; he did not think it proper (and there is no precedent) that he should keep accounts of the cost: he would not have done it as the Victuallers' Agent: but he has done what all other Admirals have done [as for example] Sir Thomas Allen, Sir Edw. Spragg and others. They gave account how much victual was delivered to the pursers and were allowed so much at a certain rate and there was an end ont (struck through).
	Mr. Papillon reads a paper wherein he assumes to show that the several species of provisions in Admiral Russell's account are overcharged; that is, more is set down than their real cost and which makes the balance due to the King, dollars 87,615, 2¼.
	Mr. Russell says he had extra occasions when so great a fleet was in the Mediterranean and they gave extra rates. The cask was bought singly by itself and there is nothing charged but what was paid. The Admiral says he'll take all upon him for 7d. a man a day.
	Mr. Papillon says it stands the King in 8d. or 10d. a day for here were only part of the provisions bought (no beef was sent from England etc.) so here can be no such thing as 7d. a day. When the pursers are allowed by the day they bear all charge for it.
	The Admiral says the pursers are allowed for leakage and water.
	Mr. Papillon says when the pursers take a rate in money the King is at no charge for leakage.
	The Admiral says if any damage come to the wine or victuals after tis aboard the King does bear it, notwithstanding any contract.
	Mr. Papillon says no certain rate of provisions governs when the victualling is in commission but there was such [a certain rate and price ruling] in the time of the contract.
	My Lords think if the account were to be made up by the cost of the provisions Reynold should be allowed his salary as Agent to the Victuallers otherwise [he should be paid his salary] by the Admiral.
	As to leakage the Admiral says he brought a great deal of wine at Malaga which lay [waiting] 3 months for a wind and the damage was surveyed for the King to allow as is usual.
	The Admiral says allow him after the rate of 7d. [per man per day] and he'll bear all the leakage and the charge of the cask except those returned to them.
	[My Lords decide that] the auditor must cast this account two ways to wit at 7d. a man a day and [the second way] by the prices he [the Admiral] demands with allowance for leakage and cask and water: and my Lords will see which way will be most for the King's advantage.
	The Navy Commissioners are called in about providing hemp for next year.
	The Eastland Merchants come in about the same.
	My Lords tell them they are about to put the matter into a method viz. by [way of] commission but would [like to] know whether they can offer any proposal to do it by way of contract; and rather than alter the method at this time they would endeavour to ease them upon a contract as much as can be.
	They [the Eastland merchants say they] will come again to-morrow morning. Treasury Minute Book VIII., pp. 300–301.
Eodem die, afternoon.	Present:—Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith.
	My Lords do appoint that one press and one mill in the Mint be employed only for the coining of plate that shall be brought in by the late Act for encouraging the bringing in of plate to be coined.
	Sir William Scawen et al. of the Bank [attend and] acquaint my Lords they have advice by the last post that 50,000l. is paid in Flanders and the rest of [the exchange remittance] will soon be complied with.
	Lord Raby [is called in and is] heard with Sir Robert Clayton and Lord Fairfax upon a caveat of the latter against passing to Lord Raby a reversionary lease of the Post Fines.
	The Solicitor General, of counsel for Sir Robert Clayton, says that in case a grant be made to any other than his clients the King will be indebted to them at the end of their term for payments made by the sheriffs out of their money, for taking thieves, removing prisoners etc.; and he desires that the lease may be made to them or else that security may be given to answer what shall be due to them at the end of their term.
	Mr. Dodd, of the same side, says they are the present tenants, have tenant right and are in surplusage on their accounts; they have long terms in being which were purchased for valuable consideration and are willing to take further term and hope that none shall have it over their heads.
	The Attorney General, of counsel for Lord Raby, says there is no objection in point of law but the King may grant to whom he pleases: tenant right is no right at all; and the King has declared his pleasure so far as to sign a warrant: he says if a true account were taken the King's rent would be sufficient to reimburse them [the other side for] what the sheriffs apply out of their revenue for taking thieves etc. but however [it be] they have no covenant from the King if it [the rent] will not extend [so far as to afford repayment] thereunto; and there was a pension of 500l. a year out of it that is ceased: that Sir Robert Clayton and Lord Fairfax cannot pretend tenant right, for the original grantees were Lord Berkshire and Sir Robert Howard.
	Mr. Pratt, of the same side, says that the lease was granted in consideration of services performed by Lord Berkshire and not in consideration of the rent and those services were sufficiently rewarded by the grant first made and these gentlemen cannot pretend to another reward for the same service. In case of lands there is an improvement which creates something called tenant right but there is nothing of that in the case of this revenue: that the last account was in 1689, when 2,745l. was in surplusage and there will be a rent reserved from Lord Raby which, if the King pleases, may make good the surplusage to the present lessees; or if the King will not dispose of that it will be in his Majesty's power upon their [Clayton's and Fairfax] application to him to satisfy them out of any other revenue or branch.
	Sir Robert Clayton says they have overpaid their rent 2,305l. 5s. [and that] my Lord Grandison's annuity of 500l. out of the Post Fines is unpaid and in arrear about 1,100l.
	Mr. Dodd says his Majesty was surprised [tricked into the grant to Raby] not knowing Lord Fairfax's interest, who married the heir of Lord Colepeper and has not done anything to forfeit the King's favour by non payment of rent or otherwise: and he desires the matter of fact may be represented to the King before the grant passes.
	My Lords will represent [the matter and their opinion thereon] to the King.
	[The case] inter Sir Jervas Clifton and Sir James Caldwell is heard by counsel. Sir Thomas Powys [of counsel for Clifton] says that Dudley Bagnall entered into articles to pay 7,000l. to Sir Gervaise [Clifton] as a marriage portion but 3,000l. was to be paid when Dudley Bagnall should be possessed of Nicholas Bagnall's estate: in 1688 Dudley Bagnall made a deed to secure 2,000l. [as an] other part of the portion [to wit to be paid] when Sir Gervaise should come of age and settle a jointure on his lady: Bagnall is [now] attainted but his estate comes to the King subject to this 2,000l. and [Clifton] is ready to prove his deed: besides 400l. a year is granted to M[istress] Bagnall and her children out of this estate by the King: the 3 witnesses to the deed are Lord Hunsdon, dead (and they can prove his hand), Mr. Brent (the same) and one Power who is in France, and [counsel] insists that proving their hands is legal proof [of the deed].
	Sir Richard Levinz, [of counsel for Caldwell] says the proofs should be made in Ireland; it is necessary to prove that 'twas executed at the time of the date for it might [have been invented] after the treason committed.
	Sir Thomas Powys says if the deed were never executed yet in equity his client ought to have the 2,000l. per the articles, especially since the jointure was made.
	Mr. White says Bagnell was in England in Oct., 1688; that whatsoever right Mr. Clifton has yet the estate being found for the King, and no notice taken of his right, he is put to a petition of right which will be tedious and chargeable; besides though the proof be legal they will not admit it so in Ireland.
	Sir James offers that Mrs. Bagnall have her 400l. a year; that Sir Gervaise may have 100l. a year which is the interest of his money and there will be something for himself towards the money he is out [of pocket] for the preservation of the country.
	My Lords think this reasonable.
	Sir Edward Ayscough, Mr. Abbot, Auditor Bridges [are directed] to attend on Friday morning.
	[Send word] to Mr. Knight to pay into the Exchequer the balance of his last weekly account of Customs amounting to —. Ibid., pp. 301–2.
May 16, morning.	Present:—Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith.
	Mr. Newton the woodward of Whittlewood and Salcey Forest is to have 30l. per annum paid him constantly by quarterly payments from Lady day last by the Surveyor of the Woods out of any the King's money in his hands per dormant warrant in lieu of the poundage claimed by the woodward. This is to be an addition to his fee of 10l. per annum and is to be continued during his life but is not to extend any further.
	The 10 battalions come from Flanders if continued here [are] to be reduced to English subsistence. Write to Mr. Blathwaite to know the King's pleasure in this.
	Also write to him that the Earl of Ranelagh has represented to my Lords that bills are drawn or are drawing on him for subsidies and forage: that my Lords did think these services were provided for by tallies that were levied for the same before the King's departure from England: and my Lords apprehending that there will be great difficulties in finding of money here to answer the subsistence of the army in Flanders [think] that whatsoever credit can be found on that side it will be most for the King's service to preserve it for that use and that it will be utterly impossible for their Lordships to furnish the said subsistence but [save] upon such bills to be drawn from thence on my Lord Ranelagh; and if bills for other uses should come and go back protested (which my Lords cannot possibly avoid) it will utterly ruin all foreign credit [all English credit abroad].
	On Wednesday in every week in the afternoon my Lords will read petitions and the doors are to be shut and none to come in unless the Commissioners of Excise or Customs be sent for.
	The Navy Commissioners and the Eastland Merchants attend. To encourage them to contract my Lords will advance one fifth. The merchants [say they] will give their answer on Friday morning. The fund intended for them is the money from the new Land Bank.
	[Send] to Mr. Twitty to send the names of those that stand next for payment on the several [loan] Registers in new money.
	[Send] to Mr. Neal to send officers to Bristol, Warwick and Hereford to take care and make provision for Mints to be set up there. Treasury Minute Book VIII., p. 303.
May 22. morning.	Present:—Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith.
	The gentlemen of the old Bank [the Bank of England as distinguished from the Land Bank] come in. They complain of Elias Polac, a Jew, that would be contented with nothing but the full in new money upon a bill payable to him; and also of the Trustees of the Orphans Fund.
	The officers of the Mint come in. They and the Moneyers are to be here on Monday afternoon. The Warden of the Mint proposes 175l. per annum addition to Mr. Rotiers for himself and 200l. per annum [additional] for his men [to which my Lords assent on the condition or] so as he [Rotiers] take upon him the finding the dies for the Country Mints as well as those at the Tower: which Mr. Neal consents to and [the said addition] is to be paid out of his poundage.
	The Commissioners for the intended Land Bank are called in, viz. Sir Joseph Herne, Sir Thomas Meers, Sir Thomas Cook cum multis aliis. Sir Joseph Herne says unless they have a liberty to take in clipt money till 24 June, they fear that subscriptions will not be made but if clipt money be [allowed to be taken in in the subscriptions] they will in a very little time supply my Lords with 300,000l. in guineas or bank money.
	Sir Thomas Cook says it is proposed that there should be an allowance of 10 per cent. for prompt payment of those guineas or broad money which should be paid before the 24th June.
	My Lords desire their proposals in writing.
	My Lords will give them all encouragement in their power but hope (because the service of the public is so much in their hands) they will not put too hard terms upon them.
	These gentlemen [reply that they] will consult their principals and propose in writing this afternoon or on Monday evening.
	[My Lords order] Mr. Killigrew to have 4l. a week from this day and 20l. in advance.
	The Navy Commissioners and the Eastland Merchants are called in. The Merchants say they cannot furnish the hemp without two fifths advance and one fifth [more] when the goods arrive. My Lords offer one third advance and two thirds in course. Then [thereupon] the merchants [say they] are willing to take one third down and one fifth upon the arrival and the rest in course.
	My Lords will do what they can as to the one fifth upon the arrival; but as to the price and quantity they are to contract with the Navy Board. [Send] a letter of this to the Navy Commissioners.
	My Lords recommend it to the Officers of the Mint to agree with Mr. Rotiers. Ibid., p. 304.
Eodem die, afternoon.	Present:—Lord Godolphin, Mr. Smith.
	[No entry of any minute.] Ibid., p. 305.
May 25, morning.	Present:—Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith.
	The [Principal] Officers of the Ordnance come in and acquaint my Lords that the [Ordnance] Office is in extreme want of 3,000l. for fitting out the bomb vessels and that they cannot possibly raise any money [at] under 18 per cent. [discount] on the tallies in their hands; that the Bank say that my Lords have taken [intercepted] 30,000l. for the Navy which they [the Bank] ought to have received upon orders in course.
	My Lords will speak to the Bank about this report but cannot at present help the Ordnance to any money.
	[My Lords order] the Excise Commissioners and Customs Commissioners to take care that the respective collectors of those revenues do make oath according to the direction of his Majesty's Proclamation, [viz.] that the clipt money they pay in is the money they actually received of those revenues before the 4th inst.
	[Desire] the Lord Chief Baron to be here on Monday next about the privy seal to the Warden of the Mint about clippings etc.
	Mr. Newton [is called in and] desires warrants to direct Mr. Rolfe of Lynn Regis, Mr. Host and the sheriff and undersheriff of Yorkshire to deliver and pay over to him the clippings and personal estates of divers clippers convict; according to the presentment which he lays before my Lords and which is agreed to.
	The gentlemen of the National Land Bank come in and present to my Lords their proposal which is read. My Lords tell them that Lord Godolphin is at [the Privy] Council and they do not think it proper unless his lordship were here to enter into consideration of that proposal; that they will appoint some short [near] time for it and let them know when it shall be.
	The petition of the King's Watermen for new liveries [is read and ordered] to be referred to the Master of the [Great] Wardrobe for an estimate of what they will amount to.
	[Send a] letter to Mr. Humes that my Lords do agree that the presents for the Governors of Algiers and Tunis be put into the hands of the officer of the Navy at Portsmouth [for dispatch].
	[Send word] to Mr. Neal, Mr. Corbet and Mr. Parry to attend tomorrow afternoon about the farthings.
	The Excise Commissioners to attend to-morrow afternoon. [Send] to Mr. Duncomb to be here then. Treasury Minute Book VIII., p. 306.
Eodem die, afternoon.	Present:—Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith.
	[Send] to the Victuallers to be here to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock.
	[My Lords direct the issue to the] Navy of 10,000l. for wages: out of loans on the fourth 4s. Aid [and to be paid] in new money.
	Mr. Neal [the Master Worker of the Mint attends with the Warden of the Mint], Mr. Newton and Mr. Hall and the Provost of the Moneyers and several members of the Moneyers upon their [the said Moneyers'] complaint that their allowance for making the money is not sufficient.
	My Lords do not see any reason for an increase.
	The Moneyers promise to have the marking tools ready for all the Country Mints and a sufficient number of workmen for those Mints.
	The iron work of two of the mills in the country is to be provided per the contract already made by Mr. Neal; and that for the other three [is to be provided] per the Moneyers. Ibid., p. 307.
May 26, morning.	Present:—ut supra.
	Send to the Commissioners for Tobacco Pipe [duties] to be here to-morrow morning.
	Send to Mr. Blathwaite concerning Mr. Dallone's grant.
	My Lords direct the Victuallers to raise money on their tallies [the tallies in their hands] at the best rates they can [in order] to pay half the short allowance money due to the seamen come home from Cadiz.
	Send to the Excise Commissioners, Mr. Duncomb, Mr. Neal, Mr. Corbet and Mr. Parry not to come this afternoon but on Friday afternoon next.
	[My Lords direct] Mr. Baker to have 1,000l. per tallies on the Excise and to put the discount of them to his account of money received for law suits.
	[My Lords direct the issue to the Navy Treasurer of] 13,733l. 6s. 8d. for answering the first payments on the new contracts for hemp: to be issued out of the new money proceeding from loans on the Act for prolonging the time for the purchase of annuities. Ibid., p. 308.
May 27, forenoon.	Present:—Lord Godolphin, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith.
	My Lords direct a quarter's allowance to the Queen Dowager but tell my Lord Feversham and Mr. Thynne that no more of this money must be remitted to Portugal than what the Queen may lawfully draw from hence for her articles of marriage. The rest must be applied to pay the servants here.
	[Send] to Mr. Neal, Mr. Newton, Mr. Brattle and Mr. Courtney to be here in the afternoon. [Send] to Mr. Knight and Mr. Burton to be here then.
	The first money [that] can be got is [ordered to be applied] to pay 1,640l. for a month's subsistence of the Regiments of Col. Stuart and Col. Cock which are ordered to march to Exeter. Ibid., p. 309.
Eodem die, afternoon.	Present:—Lord Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith.
	[My Lords direct] 14,097l. 1s. 11d. to be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh upon the Continued Impositions. He is to reserve the tallies for the same for such uses as my Lords shall appoint; and my Lords intend to obtain a [royal] warrant "to charge those tallies [together] with as many more as remain unsatisfied in the hands of Sir William Scawen, Sir William Gore and others so far as the said sum will extend": and my Lords will find some means for satisfaction of the remainder of those Land Tax tallies as soon as conveniently they can.
	Mr. Burton and Mr. Knight [are called in. They promise they] will procure 2,000l. for the Forces on credit of the first money to be raised on the Salt Act either by contributions per the National Land Bank or by Bills of Credit, or by loan on the Duty on salt, glass and earthenwares: the loan to be made at first on the Exchequer in general and afterwards to be satisfied or transferred for payment [to the tax fund] as above.
	[Send order] to the Master of the Mint that the [Mint] officers work during the holy days ensuing.
	[Send] to my Lord Lucas [at the Tower] to permit the workmen of the Mint to come into the Tower every morning as soon as 'tis light to carry on the works of the Coinage.
	[Send] a warrant to the [King's] Remembrancer to deliver up Mr. Doyly's bond (without fees) given for his receipt of the fourth 4s. Aid co. Surrey: and the present Receiver of the Land Tax [for that county] before he hath his commission [as Receiver for same county] of the window money must repay Mr. Doyly the charges of giving and taking up that security. Ibid., p. 310.
May 29, afternoon.	Present:—ut supra.
	The Excise Commissioners are called in and are told by my Lords that Mr. Duncomb not coming with them my Lords appoint them and Mr. Duncomb and also the Commissioners of Appeals [in Excise] to be here on Friday afternoon next.
	The Commissioners acquaint my Lords that Mr. Duncomb told their Board that in regard he has been at charge in obtaining a privy seal to release him from the [loss of] the bills embezzled by Reynolds he expects a privy seal likewise for discharging him from his old bond before he will enter into any new one.
	The Navy Commissioners are to be here on Wednesday afternoon next about the memorial of Sir Henry Ashhurst and Sir Stephen Evance relating to Naval stores imported from New England.
	The Commissioners for the National Land Bank are called in and are told by my Lords that the resolutions of the Lords Justices in Council concerning the first article of their proposal for receiving 641,000l. in clipt money cannot be complied with: but that the Lords Justices have recommended it to the Treasury to give them all reasonable encouragement: which my Lords say they are all very ready to do.
	[The Commissioners of the said] Bank [reply that] if my Lords think they can be of any use to the Government they expect encouragement: that they have been advised by a very learned counsel that their Lordships may help them in their first article: which will be a very great encouragement; and they doubt not they but shall then be able to advance a considerable sum.
	[My] Lords [reply that they] supposed they had been fully answered at [the Privy] Council last night and that they [my Lords] conceived themselves tied up by it: that the design of erecting this Bank was for the service of the Government, but their paying in of clipped money at this emergency is making it useless to the Government for some months and they conceive [also that it would be] contrary to the interest of the Act of Parliament because there will be half of what is so received lost by the recoining it.
	[The Commissioners of the] Bank [reply that] the Government must make that good.
	[My] Lords [reply that] however [it be it] would be a considerable lessening of the allotments for the army this year, which they think cannot be admitted: and [further] my Lords observe that the Bank in their new memorial which they have brought this afternoon desire my Lords to give their answer in writing, but that the Commissioners for the Bank have not signed their proposals: that it is not usual for this Board so to do, but if they insist upon it they shall have copies of the minutes of what passes between them.
	[The Commissioners of the] Bank [reply that] they do not insist upon this but proposed it only to prevent mistakes.
	My Lords desire them to proceed to the consideration of their second article.
	[The Commissioners of the] Bank [reply that] they cannot till they receive my Lords' positive answer to the first article. If my Lords will comply with the first article, as they are advised they may, they doubt not but the whole will be subscribed and that the Commissioners themselves will advance sufficient to make them a Bank. They say it is thought by some that they have not [official] encouragement given to them.
	My Lords look upon this as a reflection [which] they do not by any means deserve and say that their commission was passed with more than usual despatch here [at the Treasury] that they have and shall have all the encouragement that can possibly be given them and their Lordships would rather err in giving them too much than too little encouragement because of the necessities of the army and all other pressing circumstances.
	[The Commissioners of the] Bank [reply that] they do not insist that the 641,000l. to be received in clipped money should be the first payment but the second or any other of the 4 payments.
	My Lords say it cannot be because tis to be received before 24th June next.
	[The Commissioners of the] Bank [reply that] if the Lords will permit a quarter of the subscriptions to be advanced in clipped money they will propose that the subscribers shall deposit their second and third payments at the same time in current money, which they will be encouraged to do by easing them [in the matter] of the clipt [money]; that if no clipt money be received there will not be silver enough to answer the end and consequently guineas will rise when people know that they are obliged to pay in so great a sum: that, however, if it be their Lordships' pleasure they will open their books for taking subscriptions: but they insist on their Lordships' directions for taking clipt money and desire their Lordships' advice as to the law on that point.
	My Lords read out of the printed Commission for the Land Bank that they are to be aiding and assisting to the Commissioners but say they cannot give advice in matter of law which is proper for the King's Counsel, to whom they might if they please repair: and though it may not be contrary to law to take in clipt money yet some difficulties will arise which are foreseen and others that are not foreseen which will render it altogether inconvenient: that they think the same methods ought to be pursued by this Bank as was by the Bank of England and not to be more nice now than at that time: however, their Lordships with regard to the present difficulties are willing to allow them a greater encouragement, but think their present demands too high: that they are not yet secured [assured] what sum will be subscribed though the Commissioners desire 641,000l. to be received in clipt money and to allow 10 per cent. for prompt payment.
	The Bank persisting still in their request of the first article of their proposal or to have a positive answer to the contrary my Lords order them to withdraw.
	They are called in again and are told by their Lordship that since they insist so much upon answer to the first article of their proposal (as altered in their last memorial) before they will proceed to the other, my Lords will lay it before the Lords Justices in Council tomorrow morning and do desire that they will attend them for an answer. Treasury Minute Book VIII., p. 311–2.