Minute Book: May 1703

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 18, 1703. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1936.

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Citation:

'Minute Book: May 1703', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 18, 1703, ed. William A Shaw( London, 1936), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol18/pp43-54 [accessed 24 November 2024].

'Minute Book: May 1703', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 18, 1703. Edited by William A Shaw( London, 1936), British History Online, accessed November 24, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol18/pp43-54.

"Minute Book: May 1703". Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 18, 1703. Ed. William A Shaw(London, 1936), , British History Online. Web. 24 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol18/pp43-54.

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May 1703

May 3, forenoon.
Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present : ut supra.
[The draft of a] letter [of direction to the Exchequer] for Mr. Wise's quarter [for the royal Gardens] is read and approved.
The Earl of Montague [Master of the Great Wardrobe attends. My Lord reads his memorial and orders] 11,744l. 10s. 0d. to be issued to the Wardrobe to clear the debts and [tradesmen's] demands since the Queen's accession.
Desire Mr. Charles Bertie to be here this afternoon at 6 or 7 o'clock.
Mr. Dod and Mr. Warters are called in. They think it will be best that the moiety of the appraised value in money for the goods fished out of the river of Vigo be taken for the Queen [as in payment of the Queen's share]. My Lord consents to the same in this particular case, the Mrs. [? masters or mariners] bearing the whole charges on the said goods.
[Send word] to the Commissioners of Prizes to be here to-morrow morning.
Know what the Customs Commissioners have done concerning French wines from Portugal. [Report hereon to my Lord] to-morrow.
[My Lord directs the issue to Mr. Lowndes] out of Civil List Funds of] 1000l. for secret service.
The Chancellor [of the Exchequer's] additional salary is to be paid at the Exchequer.
Sir Hen. Goodrick, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Charlton and Mr. Musgrave are called in. They desire favour as to the super set on them in [the Ordnance] account. Desire the Attorney General to be here this afternoon about that super and about other matters in Mr. Bertie's account [as the Paymaster of the Ordnance].
Shut the doors [of the Treasury Chambers] on Friday morning and afternoon [when my Lord is to consider petitions].
[Send] to Mr. Pauncefoot to be here to-morrow morning. Ibid., p. 83.
May 3. afternoon.
Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Sir Thomas Littleton et al, the old Victuallers of the Navy, are called in with the Auditors of Imprests. See the minute for allowing 22,604l. upon a discharge from Edmund Portman's executors upon Mr. Twitty's report.
Direct the Auditors to proceed in finishing their [the said late Victuallers'] interest account and a privy seal is to be prepared for the allowances agreed [by my Lord Treasurer] to be made.
Direct the Auditors to be here again on Friday morning and Mr. Packer is to attend then.
The Attorney General is of opinion that the Treasurer of the Ordnance, for such moneys as were originally imprested to him at the Exchequer, is not within [the liability or purport of] the clause for charging interest in the Act of 12 Wm. III, p. 394 [12-13 Wm. III, c ii, Col 25]. But for so much as was imprested to the Treasurer of the Navy and afterwards by him paid over to the Treasurer of the Ordnance he conceives he is within that clause and the interest (if he received any) ought to be charged [as a voluntary charge] before [in the front of] the declaration of his account as by the Act.
[Send word] to Mr. Borret to be here on Wednesday morning. Treasury Minute XIV, p. 83.
May 4, forenoon.
Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present : ut supra.
[The draft of a] letter [of direction to the Exchequer for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces] of 5227l. 15s. 3d. to complete 700,000l. for the Forces in the Low Countries for the year 1702 and to be applied in part of the bill of 10,000l. drawn by Mr. Sweet and payable to Mr. Isles [Eyles] is read and approved.
[My Lord orders that the sum of] 35,258l. 19s. 7d. for the Forces in Mr. How's memorial of the 3rd inst. is to be paid.
[The draft of a] letter [of direction to the Exchequer for the issue] of 11,744l. 10s. 0d. to the Wardrobe is read and approved.
[My Lord orders] Mr. Colt's petition to be read in the afternoon.
The [Principal] Commissioners of Prizes are called in. The ships from Portugal being seized by the Prize officers for having Spanish goods on board [my Lord says] the Commissioners of Prizes must follow the directions of the Admiralty in that matter.
The [Prizes] Commissioners are acquainted with the order of the Prince [of Denmark, as Lord High Admiral] that the ship Finese is to be taken into the Queen's service upon the terms in the declaration [to wit at the apprisal] for the gunnage and tonnage only.
Desire some of the Gentlemen of the Bank to be here to-morrow morning. Ibid., p. 84.
Eodem die afternoon. Treasury Chambers, Cockpit. Present : ut supra.
[My Lord orders the issue to Mr. Fox, Paymaster of the Forces Abroad, of the sum of] 15,638l. 5s. 0d. to be applied by him for clearings from 1702 Dec. 24 to 1702-3 Feb. 24 (wherein the offreckonings are included) : to be issued out of the remainder of the 100,000l. advanced by the Bank.
Ordered that Mr. Blathwait's warrant for 1000l. for the year 1702 be satisfied out of contingencies and by tallies on the overplus of the Malt Duties now reserved in the hands of the Earl of Ranelagh : to be paid without interest. This is part of 4116l. demanded for Contingencies [of the Forces] for the year 1702.
The Customs Commissioners are called in. Their papers are read and answered [by my Lord and the answers are minuted on the dorse thereof]. Ibid.
May 5, forenoon,
Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present : ut supra.
The list of [items making a total of] 10,020l. 15s. 7d. for Civil List payments is read and approved.
The Gentlemen of the Bank are called in. They are desired to advance 100,000l. on Land Tax tallies [ranking for payment in course] after 751,508l. [registered thereon] and at 5 per cent. current interest : the same being for the course of the Navy.
[The draft of a] letter [of direction to the Exchequer for the issue] of 1420l. 5s. 8d. for the Transports anno 1702 is read and approved.
[My Lord orders the issue of] 3120l. 6s. 4d. to Mr. Whitfeild for clearings of part of the Marines to the 24th April 1703 : upon his memorial [for same].
The Counsel for Green and the sureties of Spendlove are called in (for the hearing of the matter between Green and Spendlove.) Mr. Grove for Mr. Green says that Green extended Woodward's estate first and entered a caveat before the lease [was made] to Spendlove : that the extent is in aid of and is the right of Greene and not a matter of grace.
Mr. Tully, of the same side, says that Woodward was indebted to several [creditors]. Mr. Green had the first extent, Mr. Andrews the second, Mr. Hawkins the third and Mr. Spendlove the fourth and last, who got the lease though a caveat was put in by Green before it passed. A lease of Big's estate in Hertfordshire was granted to 2 persons by several leases on outlawries at the same time. They desire a lease valere quantum valere potest.
Mr. Browne, [appearing] for the sureties, says that Green has no right but what your Lordship will give them of grace and favour and hopes it will not be extended now that a lease has been granted to Spendlove. He owns that Green's extent was prior. Spendlove advanced 1000l. to Woodward and took a note [in words] thus "received of Spendlove 1000l. of the King's money to pay into the Exchequer." This being only a note [of hand] they could take no process till it was found by record to be the King's money. In the meantime Green finds by an inquisition at Guildhall that Woodward owed him [Spendlove] money and got that seized and then an extent in aid. But this debt of Spendlove being for an original debt to the Crown it ought not to be prejudiced by a debt in aid, Spendlove fairly obtained a lease upon 2 hearings (6 Dec. 1700 and another day) the lease was made [found] good. And the granting another lease now would be a revocation.
Mr. Atcherley of the same side says there was a long account between Green and Woodward who are kindred : they came to town together and got out an extent and Green seized the very cattle bought with the King's money [which] he received from Spendlove. Green had the personal estate, which raised 1500l. : further he says that the caveat was not against the lease but against the having an immediate extent ; and the lease was duely [rightly] obtained : upon the Agent's report and several hearings the [Treasury] Lords would not set aside the lease : [further he says that] Spendlove died and left a debt to be paid by his sureties who proceeded in equity to get possession of Woodward's estate : Mr. Green opposed them there but the Court would not set aside the lease : they are willing after the 1000l. paid that Mr. Green may come in.
Mr. Grove puts the case on this that an extent in aid is of right and not of grace ; and both extents were in aid and not otherwise. The caveat is general.
My Lord [finally announces his resolution that he] will speak with the Attorney and Solicitor General.
Send to the Attorney and Solicitor General to be here in the afternoon. Ibid., pp. 85-6.
May 5. afternoon.
Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The Attorney and Solicitor General come in [and my Lord discourses them concerning the above case between Green and Spendlove]. The Attorney General thinks Green cannot insist upon the having a lease as a matter of right : and the Solicitor General is of the same opinion.
Thereupon my Lord resolves that the lease be continued to make good the 1000l. to those which claim under Spendlow ; but upon Green's paying the 1000l. or so much thereof as hath not been raised out of the profits with interest his Lordship thinks the lease ought to be assigned to Green : and if this be not consented to the suit in the Exchequer is to proceed.
Serjeant Carthew and the Solicitor General appear for Lansdowne and the Attorney General appears for Mr. Long [concerning the lease of coal mines in Stratton super Fosse].
The Attorney General says it is matter of grace and favour. The ancestor of Long in James I's time purchased the manor but the grant was found void : he [Long] petitions now in behalf of all the tenants. It is a right to dig everywhere and they may open the ground so that the commoners can put their cattle no where : and in 1639 Weeks got a lease from the ancestor of Long who bought the manor again in the late times and lost it a second time. In the lease granted in 1692 there is no restraint as there was in former leases [to the effect] that the tenant might not prejudice the commoners.
The Solicitor General says Lansdowne is the tenant and he and his ancestors have been tenants ever since [16]38 and has not misbehaved himself : Weeks was a great sufferer for the Crown : the lease to Long and Hurler was in trust for the tenants : their pretensions are very old : they have not been lessees since 1639. Your Lordship may restrain the lessee by further covenants : they cannot open new pits : Long for the tenants refused to give the fine, which was given in 1638.
Serjeant Carthew says there can be no more granted by the Crown than will not hinder the tenants in their common [rights] : if these pits were suppressed some tenants of the manor may make more of their own [coal] works.
[Send] to the Surveyor General of Crown Lands to be here on Friday morning.
[My Lord orders the issue out of the Civil List Funds of] 1250l, to the Secretaries of State for Secret Service.
Prepare the letters for [raising loans on the Land Tax tallies for] the 200,000l. [directed on Dec. 30 last to the Navy Treasurer : the said present loans] to be advanced to Sir Thomas Littleton [Navy Treasurer] on the [said] Land Tax tallies. Ibid., p. 86.
May 7.
Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present : ut supra.
[My Lord orders that the] Surveyor General [of Crown Lands] is to examine the value of the lease desired by Lansdowne and when he hath informed himself thereof to set the ratal accordingly for a lease to be made to him.
Upon reading the letter from the Victualling Commissioners of the 5th inst. according to which the best proposition offered to them for the tallies on the Salt Duties and on the fourth 4s. Aid is that of Mr. Guigear at par one with another, his Lordship is pleased to accept the proposition of Sir Stephen Evance who offers the par and 100l. more.
[Send word] to Mr. Blathwaite to prepare an Establishment for the 4 Companies of Invalids as now reduced. Ibid., p. 87.
May 11, forenoon.
Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present : ut supra.
Desire Mr. Clerk to be here by 9 o'clock to-morrow morning.
Direct Mr. Brewer to transmit hither to-morrow morning a state of all his receipts and payments to this day.
[My Lord orders] Signor Verrio to have 300l. in further part of the money due to him for painting the Great Staircase at Hampton Court.
[Send word] to Mr. Southwell to be here to-morrow morning.
Shut the door to-morrow morning [when my Lord will read petitions]. Ibid., p. 88.
May 12, forenoon.
Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present : ut supra.
[My Lord orders that] when any works hereafter are to be done in any of the King's forests, chases or parks the Surveyors General of the Woods with such as my Lord shall think fit to join with them are to oversee the doing thereof, but they are not to be the accompting officers. Ibid., p. 89.
Eodem die afternoon. Present : the Lord Treasurer.
[The draft of the] letter [of direction to the Exchequer for the issue] of 3000l. to [Sir Thomas Littleton Treasurer of] the Navy for imprests and bills of exchange is read and approved.
Likewise the letter [of direction] for 3400l. for the Judges [et al]. Ibid.
May 18, forenoon.
Treasury Chambers, Cockpit,
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
[My Lord Treasurer orders that] out of the 40000l. issued to Mr. Fox in January last which he advanced upon Malt tickets for the then present service of the Forces in the Low Countries and which he will [desires to] now receive [back] again upon the said tallies without interest, he is to pay [as follows viz.]
s. d.
for 2 months' clearings to the 24th April 1703 of the subject [English] Troops in the Low Countries in part of 40000 men 15003 14 0
towards 54747l. 6s. 8d. for a month's pay for the Foreign Troops in part of the 40000 men and for a month's subsistence for the subject Forces (residue of the 40000 men) from 11 June to 8 July next inclusive 24996 6 0
40000
And the sum of 5999l. 5s. 10d. remaining in his hands out of the sum of 100,000l. lately advanced by the Bank on Land Tax tallies of this year is to be applied in further part of the said 54747l. 6s. 8d.
[Send word] to the Auditor of the Receipt, the Clerk of the Pells and the Queen's Remembrancer to attend to-morrow morning about the Imprest Rolls.
[The Principal] Commissioners of Prizes [are called in. My Lord Treasurer orders that] they are to consider whether a Commissioner of Prizes should not go with Sir Cloudesley Shovel. They say that at present the Commissioners of the Navy are forward in their lists.
Mr. How is called in. Upon reading his and Mr. Blathwait's report concerning Lloyd's Regiment of Dragoons my Lord Treasurer resolved to allow as follows viz.
s. d.
for the respits of 1702 284 8 3
for the deduction of 3d. a day for each Dragoon 315 0 0
599 9 3
the total being upon account of the loss of their horses at sea in the expedition to Cadiz and Vigo : and Mr. Blathwait is to prepare a warrant accordingly [for the Queen's signature].
Send word to Mr. Travers [the Surveyor General of Crown Lands] to be here to-morrow morning about Sir Matthew Andrew's fine.
Write to Mr. Cardonal acquainting him with what my Lord has resolved concerning Lloyd's Regiment and that my Lord did not think it proper for him to give any direction concerning the respits of this year, there being a power in that behalf lodged in the Commander in Chief, who is a more proper judge of it. Treasury Minute Book XIV, p. 90.
May 19, forenoon.
Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Lord Halifax is called in with Mr. Pelham's deputy, Mr. Armiger and Mr. Twitty concerning the Imprest Rolls. Twitty says that from the Restoration till [the time of Treasurer] Rochester's rules the rolls were always called for by the [Queen's] Remembrancer and afterwards they were delivered to the Pells to be examined.
Mr. Pelham's deputy says that since the examination of the Pells [has been in use] they [the rolls] have been delivered by the Auditor [of the Receipt], as appears by several endorsements of the Remembrancer and that [it has been so practised] oftener than otherwise.
Mr. Clayton says he always transmitted them to the Pells and heard no more of them and they have not been transmitted to the Remembrancer by the Auditor's clerk for 10 years.
Lord Halifax says there is but one [roll which is] endorsed as received from the Auditor [of the Receipt].
Mr. Armiger says that in Treasurer Southampton's time he can show it was liberatur in curia per Car. Twitty and it [the imprest roll] being a record it ought to be delivered in Court by a known officer of the Exchequer ; and in Charles 1st's time the liberatur was always by the Auditor's clerk.
Mr. Armiger says that Lord [Treasurer] Rochester's rules were not known in the Court of Exchequer except by Mr. Hall and Auditor Bridges.
Lord Halifax says the Clerk of the Pells is the officer of record and the process should go on the record and in all other cases when matters are recorded they do not come back to the Auditor.
[My Lord orders] Mr. Barker to attend this day week with all the [Imprest] Rolls and Mr. Fleetwood to be here then.
Sir Thomas Frankland is called in. He says within a week they shall make report [on the complaint] exhibited by Moss against Gostling and give my Lord an account concerning Blackhull [Blackhall].
Direct the Postmasters General to attend again on Tuesday week.
[My Lord orders] 300l. to be issued to Mr. How [Paymaster of Guards and Garrisons] to pay over to Monsieur de La Villiere for himself and 2 other French officers as a contingency for service relating to the war.
[Send] to the Auditor of [the Duchy of] Cornwall or his deputy to certify to my Lords a state of the accounts of the Duchy as they now stand. Ibid., p. 91.
Eodem die afternoon, May 19.
St. James's.
Present : the Queen, Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
[My Lord orders the Auditor of the Receipt to] issue 1075l. to the Duchess of Marlborough upon her order for the Privy Purse.
Her Majesty comes in.
[The Queen reads the petition of] Kath. and Mary Armstrong setting forth that they had a pension of 100l. per an. each out of the rent of the Lotteries which determines at Michaelmas next and praying to be transferred to some other fund ; they having no other dependance for their support. [Hereon the Queen's decision is] her Majesty will consider all such pensions before Michaelmas.
Mathew Clerk [his petition is read in which he] prays that his pension of 40l. per an. as one of the Grooms of the Great Chamber to the late Queen Mary may be continued for the support of himself and family. [The Queen's answer is] the list is settled.
[The Queen reads the petition of] Margaret Tiffin, widow of Capt. Henry Tiffin, [shewing] that her said late husband being commanded to the West Indies died there in May last leaving the petitioner with 6 small children and nothing to depend upon for maintenance and that her said husband dying 2 months before his father, Brigadier Tiffin, who had nothing but a personal estate, she could not reap any benefit thereby : therefore praying a small pension for their support. [The Queen's reply is] not granted.
[The Queen reads the petition of] Daniel Brisac praying a pension in consideration of his 14 years' service to her Majesty's Pages of Honour. The Queen will speak with the Duke of Somerset about him.
[The Queen reads the petition of] the Gentlemen of Wales desiring that the salaries of the Judges of Wales may be increased, there being at present 180l. per an. payable to each of them out of the [Crown Land] revenue of Wales. [The Queen's decision is] their present salary and allowances are to be made up [to a total of] 300l. per an. out of the revenue of Wales.
[The Queen reads the petition of] Sir Winwood Mowat praying her Majesty's bounty towards his support and education. [The Queen orders him to have a pension of] 40l. per an. on Mr. Nicholas's list.
[The Queen reads the petition of] Katherine, Countess of Anglesea shewing that being much in debt and engaged in a Chancery suit with her brother for her jointure lands she prays the same pension of 1600l. per an. which was given her by the late Queen Mary until she shall recover the said lands. [The Queen's answer is] she has a good provision already.
[The Queen reads the memorial of Edward, Earl of Jersey, the] Lord Chamberlain praying payment of 3348l. 16s. 0d. due to him for wages, board wages, livery money, pension and as late Ranger of Hyde Park. [The Queen orders him] to be paid such arrears as are due to him [but] not any pension.
[The Queen reads the petition of] Sir Godfrey Kneller praying payment of 570l. due to him for drawing several pictures of her Majesty and the late King. [The Queen's answer is] Her Majesty does not care for the picture of 350l. : the others are to be paid for.
[The Queen reads the petition of] Thomas Tompion praying payment of 564l. 15s. 0d. due to him for clocks, watches &c. presented by the late King to the Duke of Florence. [The Queen's reply is] her Majesty has no occasion for his clocks and watches.
[The Queen reads] Mr. Wise's estimate of 1800l. for works in St. James's Park. The Queen takes the estimate [away with her].
[The Queen reads the petition of the Commissioners of] Greenwich Hospital for the allowance of 2000l. per an. [Hereon the Queen's decision is] her Majesty does not think fit to give the allowance so long as the war lasts : to be left out of the Commission.
[The Queen reads] a report concerning the bills for stationery delivered to the Secretary of State's offices from 8 March 1701 to December last. [Her Majesty's decision is] the report is agreed to and the Queen will pay no more than the 400l. per an. My Lord [Treasurer] will speak with the Secretaries of State. (In the margin "Mr. Churchill.")
[The Queen reads the petition of the] Countess Dowager of Radnor [shewing] that the island of Bardsey was worth 100l. per an. but by reason of the French privateers landing there and plundering her tenants they have not been able to pay any rent these 10 years ; the petitioner therefore prays that directions may be given for the better guard of that coast and that the Queen will be pleased to grant her something towards the said loss. The Queen's answer is] the first part is reasonable. Her Majesty will be pleased to speak to the Prince [as Lord Admiral].
[The Queen reads the petition of] Jane Hill, widow of Lieut. John Hill, who was killed at Vigo, praying the Queen's bounty, being left in a very desolate condition with 4 small children as is certified by Lord Shannon, Dr. Bentley, Dr. Younger and others. Not granted.
[The Queen reads the] memorial of the ordinary repairs of the Works for a quarter ending March 1703 with reasons why the charge of repairs of the Queen's palaces now does exceed the charge of repairs in the reign of Charles II. The Queen thinks the charge of the ordinary very great.
[The Queen reads the petition of] Capt. Henry Thomas praying the continuance of his pension in consideration of his services and sufferings. This was lately laid before the Queen and directions then given to see what the pension was, when granted and how long discontinued ; concerning all which a report is now annexed to the petition. [The Queen's reply is] there is no fund for such pensions.
[The Queen reads the petition of] George Moore shewing that a verdict is obtained against him for 300l. for undue importation of tobacco, a moiety of which verdict belongs to the Queen ; that he has fallen under this misfortune through ignorance : therefore praying that the Queen's part of said penalty may be remitted, the Attorney General having reported thereon that it is in the Queen's power to discharge same. [Hereon the Queen's answer is] Her Majesty forgives her part.
[The Queen reads the petition of the] Earl of Winchilsea praying payment of 862l. 10s. d. as Envoy Extraordinary to the Courts of Hanover and Zelle. [Hereon the Queen's reply is] Her Majesty doth not think it reasonable.
[The Queen reads the petition of] Col. Ingoldsby, Captain of one of the Independent Companies at New York, shewing that he has served in America 13 years and the greatest part thereof without pay ; that a considerable sum is due to him for his said Company on account of victualling and clothing, which he cannot be relieved in by reason the muster rolls miscarried in bringing over and being to repair to his Command of Lieut. Governor of New York and the Jerseys he prays the Queen to order him such sum as she shall think fit. [The Queen's answer is] her Majesty doth not think it proper for her to give any order in this case.
[The Queen reads the petition of] Lieut. Col. La Coudriere showing that the late King in consideration of his service gave him a pension of 200l. per an. payable by the Earl of Ranelagh, on which pension there is 1048l. due to him ; therefore praying such part thereof as shall be thought fit, he being cast into prison and reduced to great want. The petition is recommended by the Duke of Ormonde. [The Queen's answer is] her Majesty cannot do so much for others as she hath done for him already.
[The Queen reads the] memorial of Mr. Methuen for an allowance as Ambassador to Portugal, with a note of what was allowed to Sir Richard Fanshaw who was sent thither in 1661. [The Queen's answer is] allow him the ordinary entertainment of an ambassador but no equipage and my Lord Treasurer is to speak with him about his other expenses.
[The Queen reads the] memorial of Mr. Ekins relating to the stock which the late King had in the East India Company and praying that in regard he paid 3000l. and upwards for the same and has no advantage thereby (for that the same was not actually transferred before the said King's death) that he may have his money again or some equivalent in one of the Governments beyond sea. [The Queen's answer is] Her Majesty does not think it proper for her to meddle in this matter.
[The Queen reads the petition of the] Duke of St. Albans. [Her reply is] he shall be constantly paid but no advance can be [made to him].
[The Queen reads the statement of the] Household charge before the establishment [was authorised ; and orders it] to be considered by my Lord Treasurer.
[The Queen reads the separate petitions of] Henry Killegrew, Sir William Galway, Sir William Hayward, Sir Richard Dutton [and orders them] each 50l.
[The Queen reads the petition of the] Dean and Chapter of Westminster. [Her Majesty's answer is] inquire into the former precedents. Treasury Minute Book XIV, pp. 92-3.
May 25, forenoon.
Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer,
[The Lord Treasurer reads the petition of] Anne Ashbury [and orders her] 10l.
The Trustees for Exchequer Bills [attend]. My Lord directs them to agree with the persons [Contractors] named in the list now presented by them to his Lordship for subscribing 30 per cent. only of the respective sums contained in that list against each person's name. The total of that list is 926000l. ; the 30 per cent. will amount to 277800l.
[My Lord doth] order Mr. Fox to dispose of the 100000l. tallies and orders in his hands on the Land Tax payable after 1186528l. upon which 5 per cent. is payable : so that [or on condition that] the interest due to the time he receives the money from each lender be saved to the public and that his assignees have only the growing interest of 5 per cent. from henceforward ; and that it be so expressed in his assignments ; and so as [or on condition that] the advancers of this 100000l. do pay at least 5 shillings per cent. to Mr. Fox for the public use : which premiums he is forthwith to pay into the Exchequer and take a tally for the same : and my Lord Treasurer orders the said money of the premiums to be issued again to him for the Forces in his care of pay, that so he may be charged therewith in [the] imprest certificate : and that he takes [do take] up this 100000l. as he shall have occasions to make good the directions he shall receive from my Lord.
[My Lord further] ordered that out of this money [Mr. Fox do apply the sum of] 23751l. 14s. 9d. on his memorial of this day to complete 54747l. 6s. 8d. for a month's pay and subsistence respectively for the 40000 men to July 8 next inclusive.
[My Lord ordered the issue to the Earl of Ranelagh late Paymaster of the Forces of] 1099l. 9s. 0d. on the said Earl's report of the 25th inst. ; out of the public money in the Exchequer for the service of the year 1702 ; [to be applied as follows] viz. 489l. 12s. 4d. to satisfy her Majesty's warrants for Lord Portmore and Lieut. Gen. Churchill in part of 264874l. 10s. 0d. for Guards and Garrisons for the year 1702 ; and 609l. 16s. 8d. for sea service for the same year. [In the minute of May 28 infra p. 53 and in the letter of direction thereupon this sum is given as 599l. 16s. 8d. for clothes for detachments for the Regiments sent to the West Indies.]
[Send word] to Auditor Shales to be here on Friday morning about the business of Kirton [in Lindsey Co. Lincoln.]
[Send word to the Gentlemen of] the Bank to be here on Friday morning.
[Send] to the Officers of both [the Receipt and the Court of the] Exchequers to be here on Friday morning.
[Send] to Mr. Dummar to be here this day week.
[Send] to Mr. Povy to be here on Friday morning.
The Queen allows Mr. Methuen 10l. a day and 700l. for his extraordinaries but no equipage.
[My Lord orders the] 5707l. 6s. 6d. in Mr. Brewer's hands to be paid into the Exchequer.
[My Lord orders the issue of] 200l. to Mr. John Johnstown for his expense in preparing to go along with Lord Peterborough in the late intended expedition : to be issued out of secret service money [in the hands of William Lowndes]. Ibid., p. 94.
May 28, forenoon.
Treasury Chambers, Cockpit.
Present : ut supra.
[The draft of a] letter [of direction to the Exchequer for the issue] of 1700l. 4s. 0d. for the Earl of Jersey's arrears is read and approved.
[The like for the] letter for 1330l. 0s. 1d. for a quarter to the Works at Windsor ended 31 March last.
[The like for the] letter for 2477l. 4s. 9d. for the same quarter for the Works at Whitehall, &c.
[The like for the] letter for 1089l. 9s. 0d. [to the Earl of Ranelagh, late Paymaster of the Forces] for respits as follows viz.
respits on Lord Portmore's Regiment to 1702 Dec. 24 489 12 4
ditto on Lord Churchill's Regiment for clothes [of 60 men] taken out of his Regiment delivered to the 4 Regiments that went from Cadiz to the West Indies 233 14 8
[and for the like] to Lord Portmore for [ditto for] 92 men taken out of his Regiment and delivered to ditto 366 2 0
1089 9 0
[The like for the] letter for 19450l. 8s. 6d. for the French refugees et al.
[The like for the letter] for 3491l. 10s. 4d. to the Treasurer of the Navy ; to be paid over to the Treasurer for Sick and Wounded on account of what incurred for Sick and Wounded in the last year, to wit before the 25th of December 1702 : to be issued out of the arrears of last year's funds.
The Gentlemen of the Bank [attend]. They are desired to lend money on the Subsidy and Malt Acts of this year. [They tell my Lord] they will return answer on Wednesday.
[My Lord doth] direct the Commissioners of Prizes to inform themselves and him as soon as they can of the cargo of the East India ship lately taken as prize.
Lord Halifax [Auditor of the Receipt] comes in. The Deputy Remembrancer and the several officers of the Upper and Lower Exchequer are called in.
[Mr. Robert] Barker [the said Deputy Remembrancer] says the [Imprest] Rolls were always brought to their [the Queen's] Remembrancer's Office, sometimes by one, sometimes by another. There are rolls in Charles I's time all signed by the Auditor [of the Receipt] only.
Armiger says in all the times of Pye, Long and Sir Robert Howard [former Auditors of the Receipt of the Exchequer] the rolls are marked to be delivered by one of the Auditor's [of the Receipt's] clerks but since Lord Treasurer Rochester's orders the rolls have been delivered by the clerk of the Clerk of the Pells.
Mr. Pelham [Clerk of the Pells or his Deputy] says since 1685 some have been delivered by the Auditor's [of the Receipts] clerks and the Act says they shall be delivered by the Auditor [of the Receipt].
Lord Halifax says the Act is according to the custom of the Exchequer.
The officers say that of late the rolls were secretted by Mr. Hall and Mr. Bridges from the rest of the officers.
Lord Halifax says when once he hath given a direction in the Exchequer generally he has done for that matter : that Lord Treasurer Rochester ordered the examination by the Clerk of the Pells because he's an officer of record and process should issue on a record : and that generally since the Act they have been delivered by Mr. Fleetwood except in one case.
[Send] to the Attorney General to be here on Tuesday morning concerning the method of transmitting the Imprest Rolls to the Remembrancer's Office.
Sir Thomas Meers, Mr. Sanderson and other Lincolnshire gentlemen are called in. My Lord [discourses them and decides that he] will renew the patent to Mr. Sanderson but without consequence as to the dispute between Mr. Lawton and Mr. Sampson, the merits of which my Lord will hear on the first Wednesday of next Easter term.
[Send word] to the Navy Commissioners and Victualling Commissioners with Mr. Madocks, Mr. Dodington, and the Auditors of Imprests to be here on Wednesday next in the afternoon about the [Navy Treasurer's] accounts. Treasury Minute Book XIV, pp. 95-6.