Minute Book: February 1699 | British History Online

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 14, 1698-1699. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1934.

Citation:

'Minute Book: February 1699', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 14, 1698-1699, ed. William A Shaw( London, 1934), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol14/pp56-62 [accessed 24 November 2024].

February 1699



Feb. 1, afternoon. Kensington.	Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pelham.
	A representation is read from the Land Tax Commissioners, Co. Devon, together with a Duplicate [of the Assessments]. It is referred to the Agents for Taxes who are to advise with the Attorney and Solicitor General and particularly as to whether the fine on the assessors without naming them be sufficient to ground process upon and what course is to be taken as well for levying the fine as the assessment: and to report their opinion to my Lords.
	The King comes in.
	[Order for] 10,709l. 2s. 6d. [to Edward Nicholas, Esq., for what is] due on the Establishment of the Queen's servants to 1697 Xmas and [for] one quarter of the Queen's charities due at 1698 June 24: to be paid out of the Civil List money [in the Exchequer].
	[Order for] two-thirds of 2,011l. 19s. 5d. due to Mr. Stepney for extraordinaries: to be paid out of Civil List money.
	[Write] to the Wardrobe to hasten a report in the case of Gibbar, an upholsterer. See whether his petition was referred. If not, send it [to the Master of the Great Wardrobe for report thereon].
	[Write] to the Officers of the Greencloth that my Lords desire to speak with some of them on Friday evening.
	The Establishment of the Wardrobe [is ordered] to be brought next week.
	A Commission to be settled for the casting of the furniture of the King's houses from time to time. Search for the old Commissions of this kind.
	Lord Culpeper: [ordered to have] 200l.
	[Order for] 2,300l. for a year to the Buckhounds: to be issued to the Treasurer of the Chamber.
	Lord Lanesborough's quit rent arrears of 162l. 7s. 10½d. are to be discharged. Ibid., p. 64.
Feb. 3, afternoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Pelham.
	[No entry of any minute]. Ibid., p. 65.
Feb. 8, forenoon.	Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pelham.
	[Write] to Mr. Screyer and some of the Levant Company to be here on Friday afternoon about Lord Paget's demand of 1,100l. for service performed about three years ago.
	[Order for] 2,000l. to be paid on Lord Paget's bill [of extraordinaries] according to the Secretary of State's letter of the 6th inst.
	[Order for] 500l. to Mr. Henry Baker [for Crown Law suits].
	Any of the Messengers [of the Chamber] that will make discoveries are to put them in writing and deliver them to Mr. Vanburgh to be presented to my Lords.
	Let Mr. Vanburgh make a [plan of] distribution of the tallies now in the hands of the Treasurer of the Chamber for the Messengers' bills so [drawn up as] that those which have been instrumental in detecting the fraunds of the Clerk of the Cheque may have a fourth and the rest a fifth of what is due to them severally upon bills.
	[Order for] 600l. of the Civil List money in the Exchequer to be issued to the Treasurer of the Chamber to pay 200l. each to the three Messengers [of the Chamber] attending the Ambassadors in France. Ibid.
eodem die, [afternoon] Kensington.	Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pelham.
	[Order for] 1,000l. to William Lowndes for secret service: out of the seizures mentioned in the Customs Commissioners' report of the 1st inst.: to be received by Lowndes as those signatures come in; "and to be brought to the King."
	[Order for] a warrant to put Dr. Lawrence on the Establishment of the Treasurer of the Chamber for 250l. a year from 1696 Sept. 29 as one of the King's physicians in ordinary.
	[Order for] a privy seal in the name of Nicholas Baker for recovering the arrears of the Land revenues for the King's use.
	Mr. Ellis's papers are read for [a grant of] his brother's estate in Ireland: [His petition is] granted.
	[Order for] 2,800l. out of the Civil List money to be paid on Mr. Robinson's bill [of extraordinaries]. Ibid., p. 66.
Feb. 14, afternoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present:
	[No entry of any minute]. Ibid., p. 67.
Feb. 15. Kensington.	Present: all the five Lords.
	My Lords direct Serjeant Ryley that he and the other Agents [for Taxes] write to all the Receivers [General of Taxes] not to take guineas (that are not yet [actually received or] collected) at more than 1l. 1s. 6d. and to be careful that they do not on this occasion commit any frauds upon the King or the Country and that they may expect a narrow scrutiny will be made into their behaviour as to this matter.
	The like [letter to be written] to the [several] public Offices.
	The King comes in.
	Order for 13,700l. [to the Earl of Ranelagh] for two weeks' subsistence for the Forces from the 19th inst. to March 5 next: to be paid out of the Two Millions.
	The Queen Dowager's quarter is to be paid by 1,000l. a week for three weeks.
	[Order for] Lord Evers (Eure) to be paid [the same] as Lord Hunsdon.
	[Order for] 1,000l. for secret service. Treasury Minute Book Vol. XI, p. 68.
Feb. 16, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present: Mr. M[ontague]; Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pelham.
	[Write] to Sir John Talbot to desire him to be here on Friday morning: (in the margin: when he comes to town).
	[Order for] a warrant for the two years due to the foundation in Christ's Hospital.
	[Order for] 2,500l. for secret service.
	[Write] to the Chamberlain of London [to attend my Lords].
	The Trustees of Exchequer Bills [attend]. See their memorial and the minutes [endorsed thereon].
	[Order for] Mr. Tailer to pay the 5l. to the poor [rate] for the house at Kensington.
	[Write] a letter for my Lords to sign to the Vice-Chamberlain of the Household signifying the King's pleasure to dismiss Richard Poyke and Tho. Smith, clerks of the cheque to the Messengers of the Chamberlains [sic for Chamber] from their employments for frauds and misdemeanour by them severally committed therein.
	Mr. Humes and Mr. Cremer to inspect the accounts of Mr. Richard Tailer and give my Lords a state thereof. Ibid., p. 69.
Feb. 17, forenoon.	Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Pelham.
	[Order for] 172l. 0s. 4d. to be issued to the Office of Works: to be paid over to Simon de Brienne upon a report of Sir Christopher Wren dated July 5 last for repairs and works at Kensington. Ibid., p. 70.
eodem die, afternoon.	Present:
	[No entry of any minute]. Ibid.
Feb. 18, forenoon.	Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith.
	[Write] to the Attorney General and Mr. Japhet Crook to attend on Tuesday morning about the contract made with Mr. Crook.
	The Chamberlain [of London] and Mr. Hutcheson [attend]. My Lords tell them they must take from the collectors such guineas as have been actually collected at 22s. but be very careful to satisfy themselves they were bona fide collected at that rate and to be difficult where they have any suspicion.
	[Write] to the Exchequer that the Tellers receive from Mr. Hall the 7,413l. 5s. 2½d. in guineas at 22s. a piece which he brought to the Exchequer on Wednesday, the 15th inst.; and charge the same at that rate for Excise.
	Also to similarly receive at the same rate 3,569l. from Mr. Hutcheson which he brought thither on Tuesday last for Customs &c.; and 49,000l. more from him in guineas which he has received at the same rate and will bring [to the Exchequer] on Tuesday next.
	Also to similarly receive 2,989l. 16s. 0d. from Mr. Hall which he has further received at the same rate and will bring to the Exchequer on Wednesday next for Excise.
	Also to similarly receive 16,000 guineas from Sir Thomas Cudden which he has already received for the taxes whereof he is Receiver and will bring to the Exchequer on Monday next.
	Mr. Hutcheson is to receive in guineas at 22s. the money upon [such] bills of exchange [for Customs moneys remitted from the outports to London] which are already expressly drawn at that rate.
	Sir Samuel Dashwood and other the late Commissioners of Excise [attend]. Their memorial is read.
	[Order for] Mr. Cohoon's widow to have 10l. to bury him. Ibid., p. 71.
Feb. 20, forenoon.	Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox.
	[Order for] 1,959l. 5s. 10¾d. out of the tallies in the hands of the Treasurer of the Chamber to be applied for a quarter of 7,837l. 3s. 7d. due to eight Messengers of the Chamber in a list given in by Mr. Vanburgh, [being those] "of whose bills there is no suspicion."
	The Judges to be paid for last term: out of the money [in the Exchequer] for the Civil List. Ibid, p. 72.
Feb. 21, forenoon.	Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Pelham.
	[Order for] preparation of a sign manual for 1,000l. for the poor of the city.
	The Navy Commissioners [are] to attend on Tuesday morning next about their report on the petition of Robert Waters about building the docks at Plymouth.
	[Order for] 200l. a week from this time (out of the money from time to time in the Exchequer for the Civil List) to be issued to Mr. Packer upon his father's and grandfather's liberates (so as he be executor or administrator to both) and to be applied towards the following debts reported by Mr. Twitty, Sept. 22 last: viz., 2,034l. 1s. 8d. to Edward Darel for stationery goods; 961l. 15s. 3d. to widow Willis for the like; 692l. 10s. 0d. to Robert Mitchel for the like; 1,100l. to William Betts for the like: and Mr. Twitty is to see that Mr. Packer do weekly apply the said 200l. in just proportions towards paying the debts justly owing to these persons for stationery wares; and to inform my Lords if the least failure be made therein.
	[Write] to Mr. Floyer to pay the balance of his account of money received for exchanging plate into the Exchequer; and it is to be issued to the Mint to pay the salaries to the country Mints due to June 24 last.
	My Lords will pay the tax at the Exchequer [on the issue] for the foundation in Christ's Hospital. Ibid., p. 73.
Feb. 22, afternoon. Kensington.	Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith.
	[Write] a letter to Mr. Thomas Strickland, Comptroller of the Million Lottery, to examine the accounts of Mr. Tailor; and the letter to Mr. Hume and Mr. Cremer is to be withdrawn.
	The King comes in.
	The Earl of Ranelagh and Mr. Blathwayte attend. [Order for] 200,000l. (out of loans in the Exchequer on the Disbanding Act) to be issued to said Earl towards paying off and disbanding the Forces now to be disbanded pursuant to the said Act ("take care to use the very words of the Act") and [included] in this sum his lordship is to receive at 22s. each the guineas which were received at the Exchequer at that rate; but to pay the same to the Forces at 21s. 6d. each only, and he is to be allowed the difference of 6d. each by a warrant to the Auditor [of Imprests] for that purpose.
	And out of the said 200,000l. his lordship is forthwith to pay 4,000l. to the Royal Regiment of Foot commanded by the Earl of Orkney, upon account, in part of the money for paying off and disbanding same.
	Mr. de Medina's memorial is read for 3,000l. due to Messrs. Machado and Pereyra by the contract of 1694 to be paid when the peace should be made. This 3,000l. is [ordered] to be paid when my Lords are enabled to furnish money for it.
	The petition of the Danish General Officers [is read and ordered] to be sent to Mr. Hill.
	[Write] to the Transports Commissioners to attend the Treasury on Friday morning.
	The [Officers of the] Regiments now disbanded are to have half pay as those formerly disbanded [have].
	Capt. Lang's petition and the account from the Prize Office are read.
	200l. "out of the arrears due at Richmond" is given by the King towards repairing and enlarging the Church [there].
	[Order for] Mr. Tooley to have 200l. out of Hackney Coach money in full of all pretences for his losses or damages.
	The list of weekly pensions paid by Henry Baker is read. [Order for] Capt. Fisher to have 20s. a week to make up 5l. a week for him from this time: and the persons in that list are to be told they must live on their allowance and that the King will not pay any debts they have incurred or may incur.
	The report of the Lords Justices [Ireland] for Mr. De la Rue is read [and his petition is] granted.
	Lady Kenmare's petition is read with the reports thereon. Ordered according to the Attorney General's report.
	Lady Oxenden's petition for 800l. is read.
	The King directs [the execution of] the works at the Mews at Hampton Court upon the estimate for 475l. 5s. 4d.; and at Windsor upon the estimates for 162l. 10s. 4d. and 152l.
	[Write] a letter to the Master of the Jewel House to call in all the plate delivered out by indenture. Treasury Minute Book Vol. XI, p. 74.
Feb. 23, forenoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.	Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Pelham.
	In pursuance of a vote of the House of Commons 40,000l. (out of the loans on the Disbanding Act) is to be issued to the Navy Treasurer to be paid over to the Victualling Commissioners for the service of the Victualling.
	[Order for] 56l. 12s. 6d. [to the Navy Treasurer] to complete 97l. 8s. 11d. for necessary and extraordinary necessary money for 257 persons, soldiers, carried on the ship Jeffery to Jamaica.
	Capt. Humphry Ailes is to be paid by the Navy Victuallers according to their report of the 1st inst.
	[Order for the issue to the Navy Treasurer of] 60,031l. for half a year to the Yards due at Lady day last: to be paid by tallies as follows on the Two Millions, viz. 2,256l. 6s. 3½d. on the fifth instalment thereof; 14,422l. 8s. 4d. on the sixth instalment; 3,314l. 8s. 5d. on the seventh instalment; 23,903l. 3s. 1d. on the eighth instalment; 15,399l. 2s. 8½d. on the ninth instalment; 735l. 11s. 2d. on the tenth instalment.
	[Write] to the Navy Board to cause 10,000l. (of the money now in the Navy Treasurer's hands for wages to seamen, being arisen by tallies on the Two Millions and on the Coal Duties; or else the tallies themselves) to be paid to the Commission and warrant officers of ships paid off, in the same course as the ships were paid.
	The Navy Commissioners being present the report concerning Capt. Robert Waters was read and his reply thereon and every article considered seriatim. And my Lords resolve that the sums of 1,873l. 4s. 4d. for pumping and 1,536l. 2s. 2d. and 826l. 5s. 0d. for advance interest and discount, as mentioned in the report [are] to be allowed; and the rest of his demands in the report and reply are disallowed. [Write] a letter to the Navy Board to make out bills for the said three sums provided he submits to this determination [of the affair].
	[Write] to the Navy Board to pay the Centurion and Mary galley to 1697 Michaelmas out of the money in the Navy Treasurer's hands for wages to seamen arisen by tallies on the Two Millions and on the Coal Duties.
	[Ordered that] 960l. 6s. 0d. in guineas at 22s. each (being received at that rate at the Stamp Office before the order to the contrary) are to be received at that rate at the Exchequer: likewise 283l. 5s. 0d. more to be received from Mr. Hall at the same rate. Ibid., p. 75.
Feb. 24, forenoon.	Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Smith.
	My Lords acquaint Serjeant Ryley that the King has declared there shall be no place for keeping pheasants in Hyde Park.
	[Wrote] a letter to the C[ommissioners of Stamped] Paper to continue Robert Raby as Receiver for paper &c. at Huntingdon if no mismanagement [be proved against him]. My Lords will speak to them about this.
	[Write] a letter to Mr. Ryley to view the encroachments of late years made in St. James's Park and to report them to my Lords.
	Serjeant Ryly's memorial [consisting] of several articles is read and the minutes [had thereon are endorsed] upon it.
	Mr. Ryly is to pay the fees of the writs for choosing regarders of New Forest and Dean Forest; and put the same to his account.
	[Order for] 600l. out of Civil List money in the Exchequer to be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh for one year's pension to Lord Fairfax.
	[Ordered that] 5,000l. out of the money in the Earl of Ranelagh's hands for disbanding the army be paid over to the Transports Commissioners for transporting the foreign Forces now to be disbanded.
	[Order for] 1,044l. 1s. 11½d. to be paid (by tallies on the Two Millions) to the owners of the Loyal Effingham on the [Transports] Commissioners' report of 1697, Oct. 30.
	The rest of the money in the scheme for the Transports is to be now issued to the Commissioners. Warrants [are ordered for the Exchequer] to strike these tallies.
	Mr. Griffin [attends]: letters [are ordered] to be writ for the vouchers wanted. A warrant [is ordered] for stay of process till further order.
	[Order for] 100l. to Col. Vaughan on his pension, out of the Royal Oak Lottery.
	[Write] a letter to the Farmers of the Lotteries to pay in the money in their hands.
	[Ordered that] 722l. 8s. 5d. is to be paid [to the Navy Treasurer] (by tallies on the Two Millions) to pay interest to Mr. John Fitch pursuant to a determination of the House of Lords.
	Mr. Spencer making oath of the guineas he received at 22s. for the tax before he had notice of the vote of the House, the same are to be received from him [by the Exchequer] at that rate. Treasury Minute Book Vol. XI, p. 76.
Feb. 27, forenoon.	Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Smith, Mr. Pelham.
	[Write] to the Prizes Commissioners to stop execution of my Lords' warrant of Nov. 10 last till there be a hearing between Capt. Moody and some person on behalf of Capt Rigby, when the said Commissioners are to attend: and all parties are to have notice to be here this day week.
	[Order for] 479l. 5s. 4d. (out of Civil List money in the Exchequer) to be issued to the Works for repairs of the Mews at Hampton Court: to be paid over to Mr. S. Shute for that purpose.
	[Write] to Mr. Roberts to be here to-morrow morning.
	[Order for] 1,148l. 14s. 9d. due to Mr. Edwyn, for his liberates, to be paid out of the Civil List money in the Exchequer: but my Lords intend to reduce [i.e. to charge once more] that expense to the Tenths of Norwich.
	[Order for] 2,410l. 18s. 0d. to be issued to the Navy Treasurer by tallies on the eighth instalment of the Two Millions: to be for a month's subsistence from the 26th inst for the four Marine Regiments.
	[Order for] 1,000l., due to the Earl of Portland for his ordinary as Ambassador, to be paid out of Civil List money in the Exchequer.
	Letters to be sent [to the Exchequer] for every particular Receiver [insisting] upon [his] producing affidavits [of his collectors] of the receipt of guineas at 22s. on the taxes before they had notice of the vote which reduces them to 21s. 6d. Ibid., p. 77.
Feb. 28, forenoon.	Present: Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Pelham.
	Mr. Crumpton is to pay the 622½ guineas in his hands at 21s. 6d. and to make good the sixpences for the 100l. received at 22s. since the vote.
	[Ordered that] 293l. 3s. 0d. in guineas at 22s. received by Mr. Hall from Feb. 20 to 27 inst. upon the Excise be paid into the Exchequer at that rate. Ibid., p. 78.