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| 1724. |
1. Various financial papers, including “an abstract of the produce of his Majesty's revenue in Ireland,” income of the Aggregate Fund, payments to the South Sea Company on their increased capital, produce of the hereditary and temporary excise, &c. 21 pages.
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2. A series of abbreviates of accounts by Sir Robert Sinclair, Bart., Receiver-General in Scotland, of receipts, payments, and remains of the rents and profits and sale of the forfeited estates in Scotland. 1 Jan. to 28 Nov. 1724. [There are some, perhaps, missing.] 14 pages.
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3. Forfeited estates, Scotland.
Two accounts relating to the purchase money of the estates of (1) Fingask, and (2) Southesque and Linlithgow. 2 double pages.
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4. Five letters from the Comrs of the Navy to the Secretary of the Treasury, and one from them to Mr. Burchett, Secretary to the Admiralty: viz.:—
(1 and 2.) On the debt of the Navy. (3.) To Mr Burchett. Observe that by the votes of the house of Commons, Sir John Evelyn is about to purchase of the King the inheritance of certain lands and tenements in or near Deptford, Kent. Have ordered the officers of Deptford to give their opinion what ground is absolutely necessary to be added to the yard. This they have done. Agree with their sentiments, that if nine acres of meadow land were joined to the yard, and the way to Sir John Evelyn's house removed, it would render the yard much more commodious and safe. Sir Dennis Gawden, in 1681, granted a lease to his Majesty of about 2½ acres of land adjoining the dock by the water-side for 36 years, at 5l. per ann., and 100l. fine, the same being held of Mr Evelyn, and as that lease began to wear out, the Navy Board began to treat for the purchase thereof. Large and unreasonable sums were demanded, particularly 5,000l. for a lease of 51 years. No agreement was concluded till 1712, when 2,050l. was agreed to be given for the fee-simple. Nevertheless, they are in doubt whether this may not, as well as the other nine acres (necessary to be joined to the yard), be part of the lands Sir John Evelyn is suing for the inheritance of; and if so, they propose that both may be reserved for his Majesty's service: or if these are parcels of his own land, that some consideration may be made to him for the nine acres of meadow, in case the Act passes. (Copy dated 13 March 1723/4.) Also the copy of the letter from the officers of H.M. yard at Deptford on the same subject. (4.) On the memorial of Sir Barnham Ryder. Find that there is about 3½ years to come of the lease held from him on behalf of his Majesty for the house in which one Naval Treasury Office is kept. The rent is 160l. The last fine upon a lease of 21 years was 1,333l. 6s. 8d., &c. Ask that the memorial may be laid before the Comrs of the Treasury, as Sir Barnham's inclination is rather to dispose of it to his Majesty than to any other purchaser. The Comrs think his demand is great. If this cannot be had on reasonable terms, some other place might be timely secured. The letter encloses Sir Barnham's memorial. [Minuted:—“3 Nov. 1724. Lre. to Navy hereupon.” (5.) On the debt of the Navy, also two States of the debt of the Navy. (6.) Enclose copy of the opinion of persons ordered by them to take a survey of the house in Broad Street used for the office of the Treasurer of the Navy. Mr Ryder, Sir Barnham's brother, was entitled to treat for the sale, and offered it at 8,250l.; estimating the house at 330l. per ann. and at 25 years' purchase. The Comrs thought this very extravagant, and Mr Ryder reduced it to 23 years' purchase (7,590l.). The Comrs' surveyors valued it at 3,236l. Mr Ryder would not further reduce the 7,590l., but offered to treat for a renewal of the lease. The copy of the survey of the house. 17 pages.
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5. Three memorials from the Paymaster-General's Department to the Lords of the Treasury for payments for victualling Gibraltar, for guards and garrisons, and for remittances for Minorca and Gibraltar. 4 pages.
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6. Three applications from Mr Francis Negus to the Rt Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the issue of money for the extraordinary expenses of H.M. stables. Also an account of the debt of the same. 6 pages.
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7. A broken series of warrants to the Master of the Great Wardrobe and his deputy, for delivery of articles out of the Wardrobe. Numbered between 3 and 39, with many breaks. Also two other papers relating to the debt of the Great Wardrobe. 21 pages or parts of pages.
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8. Various papers relating to the business carried on by the Office of Works. They include charges “for his Majesty's busts and pedestals sent to Hanover,” for works at Royal palaces, public offices, and buildings, for works at St James' Park, for watering the roads in Hyde Park, for expenses of Mr Nicholas Du Bois, H.M., master mason employed abroad in H.M. service, for repairs in Bushey Park (damaged by the late high winds), for repairs at the mews at St James's, for alterations at Windsor, and for expenses of Mr John Stourbridge, “chief clerk of H.M. works.” 20 pages.
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9. Eight carefully drawn reports to the Lords of the Treasury made by Robert Paul, Richard Sankey, and Samuel Kettilby, appointed to make a general survey of the Ports in Scotland. There is the following table of contents at the beginning:—
“Report No 1. The course of our Survey and the method of our proceedings at the several Ports. Copys of directions suited to reform & instruct the officers in their ordinary business, prepared & left with the commissioners at Edinburgh, to be observed by the officers for the future.
“Report No 2. A list of officers whom we found unfit for the service, by age, infirmity or otherwise, with our reason for the same.
“A List of officers proposed to be removed to other ports and of officers proper to be removed from other ports to supply their places.
“Observations on the conduct of some officers whom we think very censurable.
“Report No 3. A list of officers who have neither taken the oath of office or oaths to the Government.
“A list of officers who have taken the oath of office, but have not taken the oaths to the Government.
“A list of officers who have taken the oaths to the Government, but have not taken the oath of office.
“The occasions from whence the said neglect of taking the oaths proceeded.
“Report No 4. The method which had been practiced in discharging tobacco at Port Glasgow, Greenock, and other ports.
“The care taken in the discharge of the tobacco imported into Scotland in the year 1723.
“The method practiced in exporting tobacco to foreign ports.
“The practice of sending tobacco coastwise and by land carriage into England and the method of granting permits.
“Report No 5. Frauds practiced in importation & exportation of wines.
“Frauds practiced in importation & exportation of all other goods besides wines and tobacco.
“Frauds in goods brought & sent coastwise from Scotland to England & from England to Scotland & from port to port in Scotland.
“Merchants who have endeavoured to corrupt the officers.
“Officers who have been deforced & abused in the execution of their duty.
“Sources & springs of the said frauds, corruptions & abuses.
“Report No 6. Alterations humbly proposed of ports, members, creeks & keys.
“Alterations in the stations & boats & officers on the coast and what additional boats & officers are necessary.
“The usefulness of sloops & where proper to be stationed.
“Further regulations or remedies humbly proposed for the service of the revenue.
“Report No 7. Observations on examining the officers belonging to Newcastle, Berwick & Carlisle with respect to goods passing into England over the borders.
“Additions & alterations humbly proposed of officers on the borders.
“Final Report No 8. Observations concerning fees taken by the officers in Scotland.
“A Table of fees humbly proposed to be establish'd.
“The close of the whole.” 121 pages.
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