|
| Nov. 11. |
Money order for 13,250l. to the Bank of England for one quarter to Oct. 31 last on their 45,000l. per an. and 8,000l. per an. for exchanging [or cancelling] Exchequer Bills for ready money. Order Book X, p. 25.
William Lowndes to the Board of Works. My Lords desire you to send some of your officers hither [the Treasury Office] to take the proper directions for making a press for books in the room where their Lordships sit and to estimate for same. Out Letters (General) XXII, p. 240. |
| Nov. 12. |
Royal warrant dated Hampton Court to the Attorney or Solicitor General for a great seal to declare the King's acceptance of the surrender by Sir Joseph Jekyll (now Master of the Rolls) of the grant under the great seal of 26 Aug. 1715 of the respective yearly salaries of 200l., 500l. and 30l. as Justice of Chester, Flint, Denbigh and Montgomery and to grant the said salaries to Spencer Cowper as Justice of Chester, Flint, Denbigh and Montgomery: the first payment to be from the 17th July 1717. King's Warrant Book XXVIII, pp. 462–3.
Same to the Treasury Commissioners to pay to Henry, Earl of Lincoln, Receiver and Paymaster General of Guards, Garrisons and Forces, 185,002l. 4s. 1d. as imprest for said Guards, Garrisons and Forces and the contingencies thereof. (Money warrant dated Nov. 19 hereon.) (Money order dated Nov. 26 hereon.) Ibid., p. 476. Order Book X, p. 26.
Same to the Clerk of the Signet for a privy seal for an annuity, yearly pension or sum of 400l. to James Scot “for good causes and considerations us hereunto moving”: as from Sept. 29 last during pleasure: without account. King's Warrant Book XXVIII, p. 481.
Same to the Treasury Lords to pay 5,700l. to Edward Barker, “Treasurer to the Governors of our Bounty for the augmentation of the maintenance of the poor clergy”: without imprest or account: for purposes as in the charter of incorporation of 3 Nov. 1704: to be issued out of the receipts from First Fruits and Tenths. (Money warrant dated 14 Nov. hereon.) (Money order dated 25 Nov. hereon.) Ibid., p. 280. Order Book IX, p. 480.
Same to same to pay 30,000l. to Casper Frederick Henning: by virtue of the general [or dormant] privy seal of 29 Sept. 1714 [supra, Calendar of Treasury Books, Vol. XXIX, p. 90]: for the use of the Privy Purse: without account, imprest or other charge. (Money warrant dated Nov. 19 hereon.) (Money order dated Nov. 22 hereon. In the margin: a later Treasury confirmation dated 16 May 1718 as to the unsatisfied remainder thereof.) King's Warrant Book XXVIII, p. 509. Order Book X, p. 27. |
| Nov. 12. |
Treasury allowance of the salary bill, detailed, of the Hawkers and Pedlars Office for half a year to 1716 Xmas: total 810l.
The like for the like salary bill for the half year ended 1717 June 24. Money Book XXVI, p. 102.
The like for the incidents bill, detailed, of the said Office for one year to 1716 June 24: total 517l. 9s. 0d. Ibid., p. 103.
Letter of direction for 2,500l. to Sir Andrew Chadwick on the unsatisfied order in his name as Paymaster of the 10l. Lottery anno 1711 and is to be applied towards clearing the arrears of interest on the orders in the said Lottery at Midsummer last 1717: and is to be issued out of any money in the Exchequer applicable to the payment of arrears of interest on the orders upon the Lottery Acts subscribed for annuities. Disposition Book XXIV, p. 38.
William Lowndes to the Duke of Marlborough, the Earl of Lincoln, the Secretary at War and Mr. Burchet respectively to transmit tomorrow morning the Estimates requested, supra, p. 642. Out Letters (General) XXII, p. 238.
Treasury reference to the Customs Commissioners of the petition of Michael Cole, master of the good merchant ship, Sarah frigate, seized by Mr. Scott, Surveyor of the Navigation Act, for not being manned as by said Act: praying relief; the same being due to desertion of his men. Reference Book IX, p. 355.
The Treasury Lords to the Commissioners of Revenue in Ireland. It appears from your letter of Oct. 25 last that a patent under the great seal of Ireland passed in August last pursuant to the sign manual of Aug. 1 last [supra, p. 480] for a grant to William Molesworth of the office of Aulnager and the Duties on Alnage in Ireland for 31 years. In pursuance thereof you are hereby authorised and required to pay to him the rents due thereon for the half year ended at Michaelmas last. Out Letters (Ireland) X, p. 155.
Treasury warrant to the Excise Commissioners in Scotland to pay additional salaries as follows as from Michaelmas last, viz. 20l. per an. each to the collectors of the [Excise] collections of Aberdeen, Ayr, Berwickshire, Caithness, Dumfries, Dundee, Fife, Glasgow, Linlithgow, Murray, Perth, Teviotdale: all in consideration of necessary increase in their bookkeeping by reason of the several new Duties, which they are under a necessity of keeping separate [in their books and accounts].
Prefixing: representation to the Treasury Lords from said Commissioners proposing said increases. [The names of the respective Collectors are not given.] Out Letters (North Britain) IV, p. 208.
Treasury subscription for the execution of a warrant dated July 4 last from the Duke of Newcastle, Lord Chamberlain, to the Master of the Great Wardrobe to deliver to Grey Maynard, Esq., of particulars as follows for Madam Kilmansack's lodgings at Hampton Court: viz. For the bedchamber: a sky coloured blue camblet bed lined with the same as the outside; complete hangings and window curtains the same as the bed; six back chairs, an easy chair and dressing chair with stufft backs and seats covered with the same as the bed, all trimmed with lace suitable; a complete set of bedding for the said bed; a walnuttree table and stand with a hanging glass in a walnuttree frame. For the Dressing Room: yellow window curtains and valance; six back chairs; a couch; a dressing chair stuf'd and covered with camblet, laced suitable to the Bedchamber; a walnuttree table and stands; a hanging glass in a walnuttree frame. For the Baron's [Count Bothmer's] Bedchamber: a bright green camblet bed lined with same complete; window curtains and hangings of the same; six back chairs, an easy chair and dressing chair all trimmed with lace suitable; a walnuttree table and stands; a hanging glass in a walnuttree frame; and a complete set of bedding for the said bed. For the Dining Room: window curtains and valence of a green camblet, trimmed with lace suitable and 12 strong cane chairs: to an estimate of 330l. Lord Chamberlain's Warrant Book I, p. 52. |
| Nov. 12. |
Treasury subscription for the execution of a warrant dated 1717 July 4 from the Duke of Newcastle to the Master of the Great Wardrobe to deliver to said Grey Maynard a large grass green mohair field bed and bedding; six back chairs and false cases of china; with window curtains suitable and a glass table and stand: to an estimate of 170l. Ibid.
Same for same of a same dated 5 July 1717 from same to same to deliver to same two dozen ordinary cane chairs for Madame Kilmanseck's lodgings at Kensington; crimson and yellow silk lyor for two bells in his Majesty's apartments at Hampton Court; four close stools with double pans; six pewter chamber pots; twelve pair of pewter candlesticks; nine pair of snuffers with pans; three pieces of paragon for the Court at Westminster Hall; a table covered the same as the seats, to stand before the Lord High Steward in the [said] Court: to an estimate of 60l. Ibid., p. 53.
Same for same of a same dated same from same to same for mending the elbows of an armchair in his Majesty's Dressing Room at St. James's with crimson figured velvet; crimson taffeta to mend a window curtain in the State Bedchamber; to line part of the figured velvet window curtains in his Majesty's Dressing Room at Kensington with green taffata; to cover two large molding window cornishes there with yellow laced mohair; to mend nine window friezes and fix them up with ironwork there; nine pieces of white silk lacing for window curtains there; putting up the umbrells about the lodgings at St. James's and covering an ombre table with green velvet and gold lace: to an estimate of 76l. Ibid., p. 54.
Same for same of a same dated 17 July 1717 from same to same to deliver to the Pages of the Bedchamber four pair of fine Holland sheets, pillows and pillow biers for the Gentlemen of his Majesty's Bedchamber; eight pairs of sheets, pillows and pillow biers for the Grooms thereof [of the Bedchamber] who are to attend his Majesty at Hampton Court: to an estimate of 87l. Ibid., p. 55. |
| Nov. 13. |
Royal warrant dated Hampton Court to the Clerk of the Signet for a privy seal for paying the salaries of the Lord Commissioners for Trade and Plantations (Henry, Earl of Suffolk and Bindon, John Chetwynd, Sir Charles Cook, Paul Docminique, John Molesworth, Thomas Pelham, Daniel Pulteney and Martin Bladen), to wit to the said Pelham, Pulteney and Bladen from 13 July last (the date of the patent of appointment) and to the rest from June 24 last (to which time they were paid): and 400l. per an. to the Clerks of the Privy Council for attending Plantation business and 73l. per an. to the two Keepers of the Council Chamber, to be equally divided between them and 1,150l. per an. to William Popple, their Secretary, for his own and the Plantation Office salaries and incidents as from 1717 June 24. King's Warrant Book XXVIII, pp. 483–4. |
| Nov. 13. |
Separate money warrants for payments as follows to various Receivers General of Taxes for extraordinary expenses in their collection: viz.
871l. 16s. 7¼d. to the sureties of John Andrews, late same for Co. Warwick 1699–1704, his said sureties being William Palmer, Richard Benson, Abraham Murcott and Fisher Holyoake. The petitioner Andrews was very industrious in getting differences settled in the country betwixt divers [Assessment] Commissioners in Hemlingford Hundred and has cleared and passed his accounts for all those taxes for 1699–1704. (Money order dated Nov. 25.) Money Book XXVI, pp. 53–5. Order Book X, p. 15.
499l. 9s. 0d. to John Derbie as late same for Co. Dorset annos 1699–1703. (Money order dated Nov. 25.) Money Book XXVI, pp. 56–8. Order Book X, p. 16.
919l. 3s. 0d. to Laurence Ambrose as late same for Co. Berks 1696 to 1713. (Money order dated Nov. 22.) Money Book XXVI, pp. 58–60. Order Book X, p. 18.
2,220l. to John Thornton, late same for Co. Lancashire 1702–1714, his total returns being 296,042l. 14s. 9½d., on which the Taxes Commissioners propose an allowance of 15s. per cent. [per 100l.]. (Money order dated Nov. 19.) Money Book XXVI, p. 61. Order Book X, p. 15.
367l. 10s. 0d. to the executors of Sir Robert Harrison as late same for Co. Oxford 1704–1714. (Money order dated Nov. 19 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 62. Order Book X, p. 15.
993l. 7s. 0d. to William Pacy as same for part of Co. Norfolk 1699–1715. (Money order dated Nov. 25.) Money Book XXVI, pp. 63–4. Order Book X, p. 16.
367l. 1s. 0d. to William Jeay and William Dowse as same for Co. Huntingdon annis 1703–1713. Their payments in the whole into the Exchequer amount to 168,580l. 0s. 11d. (Money order dated Nov. 20.) Money Book XXVI, pp. 65–6. Order Book X, p. 16.
170l. to Thornagh Gurdon as late same for part of Co. Norfolk for 1711 to 1714. (Money order dated Nov. 19 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, pp. 66–7. Order Book X, p. 30.
2,397l. 19s. 0d. to the executors of James Caswall, late same for Cos. Monmouth, Anglesea, Merioneth and Carmarthen for 1702 to 1704. His payments into the Receipt amount to 90,143l. 8s. 0½d. for 1702–7; and 33,846l. 0s. 10½d. for 1708–1710 and 68,557l. 4s. 0d. for the years 1711 to 1714. (Money order dated Nov. 25. The money order for this payment bears a later marginal confirmation dated 1718 July 17 by the Treasury Lords.) Money Book XXVI, pp. 67–70. Order Book X, p. 14.
570l. to Ambrose Reddall as Receiver General for Co. Beds for 1705 to 1715. (Money order dated Nov. 19.) Money Book XXVI, pp. 70–1. Order Book X, p. 15.
289l. 6s. 0d. to John Millicent as late same for Co. Cambridge and Isle of Ely for 1702–1705. (Money order dated Nov. 25. This order bears a marginal confirmation dated 1718 Aug. 5.) Money Book XXVI, pp. 71–2. Order Book X, p. 17.
125l. to Samuel Lyon as late same for Cos. Northampton and Rutland for 1713 to 1714. (Money order dated 19 Nov. hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 73. Order Book X, p. 29.
336l. to Thomas Woodcocke as late same for Co. Leicester for 1696–1699. (Money order dated Nov. 21 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 74. Order Book X, p. 28.
680l. to John Sparry as same for Co. Worcester for 1711 to 1715. His receipts amount to 127,592l. 15s. 8½d. (Money order dated Nov. 21.) Money Book XXVI, p. 75. Order Book X, p. 18.
609l. to John Cowper as same for Co. Northampton for 1704 to 1710 and all 1715. (Money orders dated Oct. 31 et postea hereon.) (Letter of direction dated Oct. 31 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 76. Order Book X, p. 30. Disposition Book XXIV, pp. 36–7.
The letter of direction on the above warrants only provides for payments in part, viz. one quarter in each case as follows. The reason for this partial payment is not stated, but doubtless the sums due to the various Receivers for the periods of their collectorship which fell within the limits of the reign of Queen Anne were considered as a Civil List debt item of the said late Queen and were left to be settled by separate payment out of the proceeds of Queen Anne's Civil List Lottery Fund. The remaining sums as follow would therefore represent a rough apportionment of the various Receivers' charges of collection falling within the reign of George I. The letter of direction is dated 31 Oct. 1717. It directs payment of sums as follows out of any money of arrears of taxes in the Exchequer “which by a late Act of Parliament [3 Geo. I., c. 4, clause 3] is applicable to the payment of these sums”: see supra, pp. 627–9, 640–1, and infra, p. 692: viz. |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
Thomas Richers, late Receiver General for Co. Cambridge, in part of 507l. 10s. 0d.
|
126 |
17 |
6 |
|
Thomas Austin, late Receiver General for Cheshire, in part of 747l. 17s. 0d.
|
186 |
19 |
3 |
|
John Turner, late Receiver General for Essex, in part of 728l. 16s. 0d.
|
182 |
4 |
0 |
|
William Rogers, late Receiver General for Gloucester, in part of 200l.
|
50 |
0 |
0 |
|
Robert Longden, late Receiver General for Cos. Worcester and Gloucester, in part of 200l.
|
50 |
0 |
0 |
|
Richard Woollaston, late Receiver General for Co. Hertford, in part of 225l.
|
56 |
5 |
0 |
|
Samuel Clarke, late Receiver General for Co. Hereford, in part of 1,608l. 16s. 6¾d.
|
402 |
4 |
1¾ |
|
Walker Weldon, late Receiver General for Kent, in part of 75l.
|
18 |
15 |
0 |
|
Joseph Gace, late Receiver General for part of Co. Lincoln, in part of 108l.
|
27 |
0 |
0 |
|
the executors of John Banks, late Receiver General for Co. Northants, in part of 75l.
|
18 |
15 |
0 |
|
the executors of John Banks and Samuel Lyon, Receivers General for same, in part of 60l.
|
15 |
0 |
0 |
|
John Bury, Receiver General for Co. Notts, in part of 888l.
|
222 |
0 |
0 |
|
Miles Parker, late Receiver General for Co. Oxford, in part of 245l.
|
61 |
5 |
0 |
|
William Fancourt, late Receiver General for Rutland, in part of 80l.
|
20 |
0 |
0 |
|
Samuel Bayley, late Receiver General for Staffordshire, in part of 279l. 10s. 0d.
|
69 |
17 |
6 |
|
Bernard Hutchins, late Receiver General for Co. Somerset, in part of 772l. 0s. 3d.
|
193 |
0 |
0¾ |
|
John Popham, late Receiver General for Co. Southants, in part of 68l.
|
17 |
0 |
0 |
|
John Dee, Receiver General for Co. Sussex, in part of 500l.
|
125 |
0 |
0 |
|
William Claridge, late Receiver General for Co. Warwick, in part of 86l.
|
21 |
10 |
0 |
|
Thomas Newsham, late Receiver General for ditto, in part of 180l.
|
45 |
0 |
0 |
|
William Newsham, late Receiver General for ditto, in part of 135l.
|
33 |
15 |
0 |
|
Caleb Powell, late Receiver General for North Wales, in part of 1,637l. 6s. 9d.
|
409 |
6 |
8¼ |
|
James Philips, late Receiver for South Wales, in part of 479l. 10s. 11d.
|
119 |
17 |
8¾ |
|
the executors of Ralph Williamson, late Receiver General for Co. Yorks, in part of 3,273l. 3s. 11½d.
|
818 |
5 |
11¾ |
|
the executors of Francis Wyvill, late Receiver General for same, in part of 670l. 10s. 0d.
|
167 |
12 |
6 |
|
— |
|
£3,457 |
10 |
4¼ |
|
Disposition Book XXIV, pp. 36–7. |
| Nov. 13. |
Money warrant for 20l. to John Bagge for the charge of his passage to Virginia, whither he is going minister. (Money order dated Nov. 19 hereon.) (Letter of direction dated Nov. 22 hereon.) Money Book XX VI, p. 101. Order Book IX, p. 480. Disposition Book XXIV, p. 44.
Same for 3,731l. 17s. 0d. to the executors of Francis Wyvill, late Receiver General of Taxes for Cos. Yorks, Durham and Northumberland, being for his extraordinary charges and service in returning his moneys to the Exchequer, viz. 1,265l. 12s. 0d. for the fifth 4s. Aid anno 1702, the sixth 4s. Aid anno 1703, the seventh 4s. Aid anno 1704, the eighth 4s. Aid anno 1705, the Duties on Marriages &c. for four years and four months ending 1 Aug. 1706 and the Duties on Houses for four years ending 25 March 1706: and 1,265l. 12s. 0d., being after the deduction of 48l. which was claimed for bringing up the subsidies, “which deduction is made according to a certificate of the present Commissioners for Taxes”: and 2,466l. 5s. 0d. for the like charges in returning the moneys of the successive 4s. Aids of the years 1706 to 1712, and the 2s. Aids of 1713 and 1714.
Appending: report by the Agents for Taxes dated 1708 Dec. 7 and of the Commissioners for Taxes dated 1715–16 Feb. 28. These reports certify that Wyvill's payments into the Exchequer amounted to 525,449l. 7s. 7d. for the former period and 986,526l. 8s. 9¼d. for the latter period, to wit for the former period:
129,908l. 15s. 1d. for the fifth 4s. Aid and subsidies anno 1702.
114,079l. 15s. 6½d. for the sixth 4s. Aid and subsidies anno 1703.
113,250l. 16s. 6¼d. for the seventh 4s. Aid anno 1704.
113,909l. 10s. 5d. on the eighth 4s. Aid anno 1705.
15,719l. 10s. 4d. on the Duties on Marriages for four years and four months ended 1 Aug. 1706.
38,580l. 19s. 8d. for the Duties on Houses for four years ending 25 March 1706.
“for all which Aids and Taxes he hath passed his accounts and returned the moneys by bills of exchange to the great ease and advantage of the country. We cannot think it unreasonable if your Lordship should allow him one fourth part of what his predecessor, Williamson, had, which is 5s. per 100l. for all the money he hath and shall pay into the Exchequer, which we humbly conceive will not more than answer the loss he may be supposed to sustain by the continual return- he will be obliged to make and the variety of persons he must necess sarily be concerned with.”
[For the latter period the said second report does not specify the details.] (Money order dated Nov. 25 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, pp. 104–6. Order Book X, p. 31. |
| Nov. 13. |
Money warrant for 100l. to Charles Mackerell, Receiver General of Land Taxes and House Duties for part of Norfolk, for the years 1715 and 1716: for his extraordinary charges in returning the moneys to the Exchequer.
Appending: report dated Nov. 7 inst. from the Commissioners for Taxes on said Mackerell's petition for this allowance. (Money order dated Nov. 19 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 106. Order Book X, p. 30.
Same for 680l. to Thomas Austin, late Receiver General of Taxes for Co. Southampton and the Isle of Wight, for the years 1701–1710: for his extraordinary charges in returning the moneys of his receipt.
Appending: report dated Nov. 7 inst. from the Taxes Commissioners on said Austin's petition. We think it may not be unreasonable to allow him after the rate of 68l. per annum for that service. As to the further sum of 220l. contained in his affidavit, for which no allowance is here made, we cannot certify the same as fit to be considered by your Lordships. (Money order dated Nov. 21 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 107. Order Book X, p. 17. |
| Nov. 13. |
Same for 300l. to Langley Banks, Receiver General of Land Tax and House Duties for part of Co. Lincoln, for the years 1713 to 1716: as in satisfaction of extraordinary charges in his receipt.
Appending: report dated 7 Nov. from the Taxes Commissioners on said Banks's petition. We think it reasonable to allow him after the rate of 30l. per journey, the usual rate of allowances for that county. (Money order dated Nov. 21 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 108. Order Book X, p. 17.
Same for 370l. to John Bury, Receiver General of Taxes for Co. Notts, for the years 1713–16: as for the like extraordinary charges.
Appending: (a) report dated June 25 last from the Taxes Commissioners on said Bury's petition. The petitioner prays the usual allowance of 57l. a journey [for that county].
As the extraordinary allowances which have been made to Receivers General were designed only to reimburse them such moneys as they should necessarily and really expend in returning or bringing up by guard the several sums which they received in the country we thought there could be no better way to prevent the Government from being imposed on by extravagant demands than by requiring an affidavit of such expense; since which we have found that several [Receivers] who may plead the same customary allowance have desisted from any claim without such pretence as is made use of by the petitioner, which hath given us just reason to suspect that in many cases the Receivers have had larger allowances than they could justly demand. Nevertheless if your Lordships are pleased to indulge Mr. Bury so far as to admit him to have the same allowance which hath formerly been made him without affidavit as directed by your Lordships it will amount to 370l. (b) said Bury's affidavit as to his said expenses. (Money order dated Nov. 19 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 109. Order Book X, p. 29.
Same for 125l. 8s. 0d. to John Wroth, Receiver General of Land Tax and House Duties for Co. Essex, for the years 1715 and 1716: as for the like extraordinary charges.
Appending: report dated Nov. 7 inst. from the Taxes Commissioners on said Wroth's petition. The allowance is after the rate of 20l. 18s. 0d. per journey. (Money order dated Nov. 19 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 110. Order Book X, p. 29.
Same for 295l. 10s. 0d. to Anthony Springett, late Receiver General for part of Sussex of Land Taxes for the years 1702 to 1709, and of the House Duties to 1710 Lady day, and of the Duties on Births [Marriages and Deaths] to the 1st Aug. 1706.
Appending: report dated June 2 last from the said Commissioners of Taxes. This report quotes Springett's bill of particulars: |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
for a guard at four journeys to convoy to the Exchequer the 4s. Aid and Subsidy anno 1702 |
50 |
0 |
0 |
|
ditto for four journeys anno 1703 |
50 |
0 |
0 |
|
ditto for four journeys for the 4s. Aid anno 1704 |
50 |
0 |
0 |
|
ditto for three journeys anno 1705 |
37 |
10 |
0 |
|
for a guard at two journeys to convoy to the Exchequer the 4s. Aid and Subsidy anno 1706 |
25 |
0 |
0 |
|
ditto for three journeys anno 1707 |
37 |
10 |
0 |
|
ditto for three journeys anno 1708 |
37 |
10 |
0 |
|
— |
|
£300 |
0 |
0 |
|
(Money order dated Nov. 22 hereon. In the margin: a later Treasury confirmation dated 24 July 1718.) Money Book XXVI, p. 111. Order Book X, p. 17. |
| Nov. 13. |
Money warrant for 350l. to James Brooks and Richard Sheafe, trustees of Mary Ecklin, wife of Robert Ecklin and late widow and executrix of her former husband, William Fausset, late Receiver General for Co. Kent of Land Tax and House Duties and Duties on Marriages for 1705 and 1706 and of Land Tax and House Duties for 1706–10 and half of 1711: as in full of his extraordinary charges as above.
Appending: report dated Nov. 7 inst. from the Taxes Commissioners on the petition of said Brooks and Sheaf. The allowance is after the rate of 12l. 10s. 0d. per journey. (Money order dated Nov. 22 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 112. Order Book X, p. 18.
Same for 147l. to Sir William Saunderson, trustee for the children of Alexander Horton, late Receiver General of Land Tax and House Duties for part of Bucks for the last half of 1707 and for the years 1708–10: as in full of his extraordinary charges as above.
Appending: report dated Nov. 7 inst. from the Taxes Commissioners on the petition of said Saunderson. By reason of Horton's death and his children being infants, affidavit cannot be made as to his expenses. (Money order dated Nov. 21 hereon. In the margin: a later Treasury confirmation dated 15 July 1718 hereof.) Money Book XXVI, p. 113. Order Book X, p. 28.
Same for 147l. to John Rogers, late Receiver General of Land Taxes and House Duties for part of Co. Bucks, for the last half of 1707 and the years 1708 and 1710: as in full of his extraordinary charges as above.
Appending: report dated 7 Nov. inst. from the Taxes Commissioners on said Rogers's petition. (Money order dated Nov. 21 hereon. In the margin. a later Treasury confirmation dated 1718 Aug. 14 hereof.) Money Book XXVI, p. 114. Order Book X, p. 28.
Same for 50l. to Walker Weldon, Esq., late Receiver General of Land Taxes and House Duties for Co. Kent, for the third and fourth 2s. Aid anno 1713 and anno 1714 and for 3½ years for the Duties on Houses to 1715 Lady day: as in full of his extraordinary charges as above.
Appending: report dated 7 Nov. inst. from the Taxes Commissioners on said Weldon's petition. We allow him 12l. 10s. 0d. per journey, the usual rate of allowances for that county. (Money order dated Nov. 19 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 115. Order Book X, p. 30.
Same for 56l. 17s. 0d. to John Grove, late Receiver General of Land Taxes, for 1713 to 1715 for Co. Cambridge: as in full of his extraordinary charges as above.
Appending: report dated Nov. 7 from the Taxes Commissioners on said Grove's petition. We think it reasonable to allow him 56l. 17s. 0d. for that service. As to the further sum of 239l. 19s. 0d. contained in the said bill of particulars for which no allowance is here made we cannot certify the same as fit to be considered by your Lordships. (Money order dated Nov. 28 hereon.) Money Book XXVI. p. 116. Order Book X, p. 28. |
| Nov. 13. |
Same for 30l. to Nathaniel Tredcroft, late Receiver General of Land Taxes for the East part of Co. Sussex, for half the year 1714: as in full of his extraordinary expenses as above.
Appending: report dated 14 Jan. 1714–15 from the Taxes Commissioners on said Tredcroft's petition. He was commissioned by Treasurer the Duke of Shrewsbury and pursuant thereto made his collection for the first half of the 1714–15 Land Tax, but the Treasury Lords revoked said appointment and ordered John and William Dee, then Receivers for the west half of Sussex, to be Receivers for the east part also. Tredcroft's receipts should therefore be paid to their hands. But we advise allowance of 30l. in view of his expense in taking out his commission and making his receipt at the respective places as usual. (Money order dated 21 Nov. hereon, hi the margin: a later Treasury confirmation dated 15 July 1718 hereof.) Money Book XXVI, p. 117. Order Book X, p. 28.
Same for 93l. 12s. 0d. to Alexander Baxter, late Receiver General of Taxes for part of Co. Wilts, 78l. thereof for his extraordinary charges in 1711–1713 and 15l. 12s. 0d. for the like for the year 1714.
Appending. reports dated 31 March 1716 and 7 Nov. 1717 from the Taxes Commissioners on said Baxter's petition. The first report allows him as follows: |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
for a guard at four journeys to convoy to the Exchequer the 4s. Aid and House Duties anno 1711 |
31 |
4 |
0 |
|
for a guard at four journeys for ditto anno 1712 |
31 |
4 |
0 |
|
for a guard at two journeys to convoy to the Exchequer the 2s. Aid and Duties on Houses anno 1713 |
15 |
12 |
0 |
|
— |
|
£78 |
0 |
0 |
But as to what is contained in his bill of particulars for which no allowance is here made, amounting to 72l., we cannot certify the same as fit to be considered by your Lordships.
The second report advises allowance of 15l. 12s. 0d., “being after the rate of the usual allowance to Receivers of that county.” (Money order dated Nov. 21 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, pp. 118–19. Order Book X, p. 29.
Same for 10l. to the University of Cambridge for one year to June 24 last on a perpetuity granted by Henry VII. (Letter of direction dated Nov. 22 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 124. Disposition Book XXIV, p. 44.
Treasury warrant to Auditor Thomas Jett to make allowance of sums amounting to 237l. 15s. 9½d.in the account of John Parran of the Duties on Houses for the year 1701 for Co. Oxford without charging him with 10 per cent. interest for the same, “only provided that George Townshend do first pay into the Exchequer the remainder of the moneys wherewith the said John Parran is chargeable upon the account of House Duties aforesaid“: all by reason that the Agents for Taxes did 5 Dec. 1699 report on the petition of said Parran advising an allowance of 130l. 12s. 2d. to him for his extraordinary charges in his collection of Aids, Poll, Marriage Duties and House Duties for four years ended at Lady day 1699: and the present Commissioners of Taxes have reported 6 Aug. 1717 on a petition of George Townshend which petition shewed that Parran has cleared all his accounts for the abovesaid taxes except the Duties on Houses anno 1701 upon which there remained an arrear of 836l. 6s. 10d., that he sold his estate to the said Townshend, is since dead beyond the seas insolvent and that the said estate though purchased for a valuable consideration is liable to the said debt; that the said Townshend lately paid 500l. into the Exchequer in part of the said arrear so that 336l. 6s. 10d. remains due on the said account and [thereupon Townshend] asked allowance of 107l. 3s. 7½d. for the said Parran's extraordinary charges in conducting to the Exchequer by barge, carriage with guards &c. the taxes of the Aids of 1699 and 1700 and House Duties 1696–1700: upon which petition the said Taxes Commissioners have reported as above the reasonableness of said sum of 107l. 3s. 7½d. making with the above sum of 130l. 12s. 2d.: the total allowance of 237l. 15s. 9½d.: which is hereby authorised.
Appending: the said two reports of 1699 Dec. 5 and 1717 Aug. 6. The first of these reports details the carriage and convoy charges as follows: |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
paid for barge carriage for 8,708l. to the Exchequer at 1l. 2s. 0d. per 1,000l. on the third 4s. Aid |
9 |
11 |
2 |
|
paid for guards besides the barge crew: four men |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
paid for barge carriage for 9,200l. to the Exchequer |
10 |
2 |
4 |
|
paid for guards besides the barge crew: four men |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
paid for barge carriage for 600l. and four men |
12 |
12 |
0 |
|
paid for barge carriage for 7,400l. and four |
14 |
2 |
8 |
|
paid for barge carriage for 29,600l. on the fourth 4s. Aid |
32 |
11 |
0 |
|
paid for guards besides the barge crew: four |
15 |
0 |
0 |
|
paid for barge carriage of 4,000l. on the second 3s. Aid |
4 |
8 |
0 |
|
paid for guards besides the barge crew: four men |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
paid for barge carriage for 7,500l. and four men on the second 3s. Aid |
14 |
5 |
0 |
|
— |
|
£130 |
12 |
2 |
|
“But as to the other allowances by him craved amounting to the sum of 329l. 3s. 8d. we cannot certify the same as fit to be considered by your Lordships.” Money Book XXVI, pp. 125–8. |
| Nov. 13. |
Letter of direction for the payment of pensions and salaries payable at the Exchequer [to wit generally for the quarter] to Lady day 1717.
The total of this letter of direction is 7,963l. 2s. 5½d. The several items contained in it are accounted for separately in the sign manuals or money warrants separately calendared, supra, pp. 633 to 640, with the exception of the following items: viz. |
|
£ |
|
Dr. Bentley, Library Keeper |
50 |
|
Samuel Hill, Latin Secretary |
20 |
Disposition Book XXIV, p. 39.
William Lowndes to the Auditor of the Receipt enclosing a list of sundry orders of loan which were issued to John Aislabie, Treasurer of the Navy, to be disposed of as the public service should require, the greatest part whereof has by order of the Treasury Lords been disposed of accordingly, and at the time of disposing thereof their Lordships were pleased to direct interest at 4 per cent. to commence from the dates of the said orders and warrants were signed or meant to be signed for paying interest accordingly, not only upon those already disposed [of] but upon such others of them as appear by the said account to remain yet undisposed [of]. The said Treasurer [of the Navy] is to be surcharged in his accounts with the whole interest accruing from the dates of the said orders to the respective times he should be so directed to dispose of the same. I am therefore to desire you to cause the interest on the said entire parcel of orders amounting to 61,000l. principal money to be directed and paid from the respective dates thereof accordingly.
Followed by: detailed account of interest received and to be received by said Aislabie on the said several tallies and orders and to be charged [on him] in his account as Navy Treasurer. |
|
interest |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
on 11 orders for 1,000l. each, Nos. 1012 to 1022, drawn on the fifth 2s. Aid anno 1715 and with interest running from 11 May 1715 to various dates up to 26 Jan. 1716 |
728 |
4 |
11 |
|
on 20 orders for 1,000l. each, Nos. 2612 to 2631, dated 17 Feb. 1715–16 and drawn on the sixteenth 4s. Aid anno 1716: interest not here charged as these tallies are not yet redeemed from the persons that lent money on the same: but when they are, the interest must likewise be made [as accruing or] received from 17 Feb. 1715–16 to the time they are directed away |
|
nil |
|
|
on 24 orders for 1,000l. on the abovesaid sixteenth 4s. Aid, Nos. 2632 to 2655, on which the interest commenced from 17 Feb. 1715–16 and terminated on the 9th August 1717, being in each case for one year three months and 84 days: interest on each being 59l. 4s. 1d.
|
1,422 |
14 |
0 |
|
on three like oders on same for 1,000l. each, Nos. 2656–2658, with interest running from 17 Feb. 1715–16 to 14 August 1717, being for one year three months and 89 days: or 59l. 15s. 0d. each |
179 |
5 |
0 |
|
on three like orders on same, Nos. 2659–2661, for 1,000l. each. These tallies are not disposed of yet, but when they are, the interest is to be made [accruing or] received from the date thereof |
|
nil |
|
|
— |
|
total interest |
£2,328 |
7 |
11 |
|
Disposition Book XXIV, pp. 42–3. |
| Nov. 13. |
Letter of direction for 3,000l. to Thomas Jett on the unsatisfied order in his name as Paymaster of the 10l. Lotteries anno 1712: towards clearing the arrears of interest on the orders in the said Lottery at Midsummer 1717: to be issued out of any money in the Exchequer applicable to the payment of arrears of interest on orders on the Lottery Acts subscribed for [or into] Annuities. Ibid., p. 44.
William Lowndes to Mr. Molineux. “The Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury being now met at a full Board since their late recesses in the country, but finding themselves unacquainted with the right of tin pre-emption mentioned in the letter from his Royal Highness's Council of the 23rd of July last, their Lordships will advise with Counsel about that matter: and when a state thereof shall have been laid before his Majesty will receive his Majesty's commands touching the subject matter of that letter.” Out Letters (General) XXII, p. 240.
For the confirmation of a money order of date 1712 Dec. 5 for 180l. to the administratrix of John Coxall see supra, Calendar of Treasury Books, Vol. XXVI, p. 529. Order Book VIII, p. 251.
The Treasury Lords to the Commissioners of Revenue in Ireland. In yours of Oct. 19 you informed [my Lords] that you had dismissed Charles Melvin, one of the General Surveyors under you. In our letter of Aug. 9 last we recommended Henry Arthwright, Collector of Cork, to succeed Melvin in case of his removal, and William Maynard to succeed as Collector of Cork. We desire the vacancy may be supplied according to the said former recommendation. Out Letters (Ireland) X, pp. 155–6. |
| Nov. 14. |
Money warrant for 2,870l. 6s. 3d. to John Baskett for so much due to his Majesty's printers for paper and printing Acts of Parliament, Proclamations, Forms of Prayer, speeches and other things by them delivered from 26 June 1716 to 29 Sept. 1717 to the persons and officers as follows: viz. |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
the Treasury Lords |
785 |
17 |
1 |
|
the Lords of the Privy Council |
190 |
8 |
0 |
|
the Clerk of the House of Peers |
693 |
14 |
4 |
|
the Speaker of the House of Commons |
102 |
19 |
0 |
|
the Clerk of the House of Commons |
438 |
13 |
0 |
|
the Serjeant at Arms of the House of Commons |
603 |
2 |
6 |
|
the Crown Office |
35 |
8 |
4 |
|
the Hanaper Office |
20 |
4 |
0 |
|
— |
|
£2,870 |
6 |
3 |
|
(Money order dated Nov. 15 hereon.) (Letter of direction dated Nov. 19 hereon.) Money Book XXV, p. 77. Order Book X, p. 24. Disposition Book XXIV, p. 45. |
| Nov. 14. |
Same for 300l. to Thomas Onslow, Esq., for half a year to Sept. 29 last on his salary or allowance as Out Ranger of Windsor Forest. (Money order dated Nov. 25 hereon.) (Letter of direction dated Nov. 22 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 120. Order Book X, p. 27. Disposition Book XXIV, p. 44.
Same for 224l. 6s. 0d. to the officers and clerks of the Tally Court for their fees for levying 2,243 tallies of loan without fee between Easter and Michaelmas 1717, “levied in the Court of the Receipt of his Majesty's Exchequer at Westminster”.
Prefixing: certificate as to said tallies by William Clayton in the absence of the Earl of Halifax [Auditor of the Receipt]. (Money order dated Nov. 15 hereon.) (Letter of direction dated Nov. 22 hereon.) Money Book XXVI, p. 121. Order Book X, p. 23. Disposition Book XXIV, p. 44.
Treasury warrant to the Auditor of the Receipt to pass the sum of 1,629l. 18s. 6½d. on the bills of Liberate so as the same may be paid to the artificers of the Works by the Usher of the Receipt as follows (as expenses of this kind are accustomed to be): being for work done in several offices at the Exchequer between the years 1711 and 1716: “taking care that the said sum be so distributed [allocated or charged in the accountancy], when the orders shall come to be drawn for the amount of the said bills of Liberate, as that the charge so far as these expenses have been occasioned by fitting up and repairing Offices specially directed by Parliament may be defrayed out of the publique fonds of [or voted for] those Offices.
Prefixing: report dated Sept. 11 last from the Principal Officers of the Works (Sir C. Wren, Surveyor General of Works; Charles Dartiquenave, Paymaster of the Works; and William Watkins [Surveyor of the King's Private Roads]) on the bills of the artificers for the said work. We have abated same as follows: |
|
demand |
allowed |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
Robert Abbot, painter |
212 |
0 |
3 |
191 |
9 |
4½ |
|
William Hinds, matlayer |
5 |
3 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
|
Edward Gift, smith |
168 |
2 |
0½ |
158 |
2 |
3 |
|
James Stedman, carpenter |
740 |
1 |
10½ |
701 |
6 |
5½ |
|
William Tufnell, bricklayer |
387 |
16 |
5½ |
339 |
2 |
6 |
|
Edward Tufnell, mason |
54 |
2 |
10 |
43 |
9 |
4 |
|
David Arnot, plomber |
85 |
18 |
3½ |
80 |
3 |
4½ |
|
John Kent, glazier |
121 |
14 |
10 |
111 |
2 |
3 |
|
— |
— |
|
£1,774 |
19 |
7 |
£1,629 |
18 |
6½ |
|
“The prices we have reduced the bills to are such as we usually allow upon the supposition of prompt payment: and whether in consideration of the length of time they have been out of their money it may not be thought equitable to allow them their full demands, we most humbly submit to your Lordships' impartial justice and great wisdom.” Money Book XXVI, pp. 122–3. |
| Nov. 14. |
Treasury confirmation of the money order dated 30 Aug. 1715 for 250,000l. to the Earl of Carnarvon, ut supra, Calendar of Treasury Books, Vol. XXIX, p. 682, under date 1715 Aug. 12, to wit for the execution thereof “as to the sum of 18,747l. 18s. 1½d. for the Canada bills” [supra, p. 632]. Order Book IX, p. 114.
Money order for 500l. to Robert Lowther, Captain General and Governor in Chief of Barbados and several other islands and places in America: for one quarter due Nov. 11 inst. on his allowance of 2,000l. per an. for his support and in lieu of all presents from the Assemblies of the said island. Ibid. X, p. 6.
Letter of direction for 88,818l. 8s. 8½d. to John Aislabie, on the unsatisfied order in his name as Treasurer of the Navy: to be issued out of loans on Malt anno 1717 remaining in the Exchequer: and is intended to be reserved in the hands of the said Aislabie to await the Treasury Lords' directions as to the applying and disposing thereof for the service of the Navy and Victualling. Disposition Book XXIV, p. 41.
Same for 15,241l. 19s. 2d. to Henry, Earl of Lincoln, Paymaster General of the Forces: out of loans on Malt anno 1717 ut supra: and is intended to be applied to services as follows: |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
in further part of 959,943l. 1s. 10½d. voted for Guards and Garrisons anno 1717.
for six months' allowance to 24 June 1717 to the outpensioners of Chelsea Hospital:
at five pence each per diem |
11,786 |
9 |
2 |
|
for 50 Letter Men at 12 pence each per diem for the same six months |
455 |
10 |
0 |
in part of 250,000l. voted to enable his Majesty to concert measures with Foreign Princes.
for account of pay to the four Battalions of the Troops of Brunswick and Luneburg agreed by the Treaty dated 21 August last to be taken into his Majesty's pay for replacing a like number of Troops of the States General which were to be employed in his Majesty's service upon occasion of the late intended invasion |
3,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
— |
|
£15,241 |
19 |
2 |
Ibid.
William Lowndes to the Auditors of Imprests. The Treasury Lords direct you to attend them on Monday morning next at 10 a clock with all such accounts as you have prepared and made ready for Declaration; and to be present at the reading of the several states and reports made by you which now lie before their Lordships. Out Letters (General) XXII, p. 241. |
| Nov. 14. |
C. Stanhope to Mr. Popple to move the Commissioners for Trade and Plantation for an explanation of the 13th and last Article in the Restrictions and Conditions proposed by them and annexed to their report dated 16 Oct. 1717 about the lands in the late French part of St. Christopher “and that you will transmit the same to my Lords for their perusal” Ibid.
Same to the Attorney General. The Treasury Lords transmitted to the Commissioners for Trade some heads prepared in order to a grant of Cape Dore in Nova Scotia for making a proposed settlement there. The Commissioners of Trade have returned the same by their enclosed letter [missing] with some conditions annexed which they offer to be inserted therein. My Lords desire you to consider same and to prepare thereupon such heads of a grant as may be advisable for his Majesty to make in this case. Ibid., p. 244.
William Lowndes to the Chancellor of the Garter enclosing the petition [missing] in behalf of such of the King's servants as are entitled to fees of honour upon making a Knight of the Garter, [praying] for payment of the list of their fees on occasion of the Duke of York and Prince Frederick's being elected Knights. Please inform the Treasury Lords what hath been the practice in this case and whether the said list of fees be such as may legally be demanded and your opinion what is fit to be done therein. Ibid., p. 245.
Treasury warrant dormant to the Customs Cashiers to pay the salary of 15l. 4s. 4d. per an. to Thomas Burdekin as Comptroller of Customs in Lynn port. Out Letters (Customs) XVII, p. 26.
Same to the Customs Commissioners to accept the composition of 84l. 10s. 0d. for the moiety of the appraisement of the ship Josiah and 141l. 5s. 0d. for same of the ship Fortitude and to apply same towards the discharge of the bonds of Henry Offley, sole owner of said ships, and to discharge the recognizances of Edmund Forester and Stephen Robins, lately masters of said ships.
Prefixing: report by said Commissioners on the petition of said Forrester and Robins. The ships came from Virginia and Mr. Offley being failed in his credit the tobacco was seized, whereupon the petitioners caused the ships to be seized in the Admiralty Court for their wages and they were condemned Nov. 3 last and an extent issued against Offley and the ships were seized, the petitioners being advised by their counsel that the condemnation in the Admiralty was good against the King's extent. But upon a trial the last term the King received a verdict in both cases. Petitioners pray that the recognizance may be vacated in regard of their great poverty and inability to pay the tradesmen's bills for the outset of the ship without which they could not have performed their voyage.
Hereon the Commissioners report that the Admiralty decree being a decree of possession only did not alter the property and no appraisement or sale being made before the extent the Chief Baron directed the Jury to find for the King which was done. The Crown having seized the tobacco as well as the ships the petitioners are deprived of all means of being paid their wages but after the tobacco was sold the freight of each cargo was paid to them by Mr. Perry who bought the tobacco of the sheriff. The balance of wages and freight due from the Josiah is 183l. 7s. 5d. and that for the Fortitude is 369l. 12s. 11½d. The petitioners have proposed to pay to the King a moiety of the appraisement as in full discharge of their recognizances to enable them to compound with the ships' creditors; otherwise they shall be ruined. We think it reasonable to accept their proposal seeing that when Robins has paid the said moiety appraisement of the Josiah he will be in disburse 98l. 17s. 5d. more than he has received and Forrester similarly will be in disburse 228l. 7s. 11¼d. for the Fortitude. We remind your Lordships that in our reports of 13 March and 5 Aug. last relating to Offley's debt we proposed in what manner the money (upwards of 7,000l.) arising by the sale of his tobacco should be applied on account of said debt. We have not received your Lordships' orders thereon which we are to attend as by your letter of Feb. 20 last, supra, p. 156. We therefore pray order thereon. Out Letters (Customs) XVII, pp. 27–9. |
| Nov. 14. |
Treasury warrant to the Collector Outwards in the port of London to swear William Jennings into office as one of the five undersearchers of said port and to continue Francis Golling as Deputy in said office. Ibid., p. 29.
Same dormant to the Customs Cashiers to pay said Jennings his fee or salary of 12l. per an. in respect of said office. Ibid.
|
| Nov. 15. |
William Lowndes to the Treasurer of the Navy. The Treasury Lords direct that the particular services following, amounting to 165,889l. be supplied and paid by you in manner following: viz. |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
by money raised by sale of annuities at 4 per cent. anno 1717 now remaining in your hands |
24,188 |
3 |
10 |
|
by money to be received by sale of Land Tax tallies anno 1716 with interest from their dates |
3,188 |
10 |
3¾ |
|
by money received at the Exchequer by loans on Malt anno 1717 |
88,818 |
8 |
8½ |
|
by money to be raised by you by an absolute sale of annuities at 4 per cent. anno 1717 with the interest from the dates of the tallies of sol
|
49,693 |
17 |
1¾ |
|
— |
|
£165,889 |
0 |
0 |
|
The services to which the abovesaid sum is to be applied are as follows: viz. |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
to the head of Wages.
for paying off several ships arrived from the Baltic |
67,300 |
0 |
0 |
|
for half a year's pay to the Yards due at Michaelmas 1716 but to begin with Deptford and Woolwich Yards |
90,289 |
0 |
0 |
to the head of Victualling.
for the labourers of the Victualling Office, half a year's pay due at Michaelmas 1716 |
8,300 |
0 |
0 |
|
— |
|
£165,889 |
0 |
0 |
|
Their Lordships also direct that the sum of 253,000l. remaining in your hands in 4 per cent. annuities, with the interest due thereupon from the dates of the tallies of sol, be applied and paid by you in manner following: viz. |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
to the head of Wear and Tear.
for the new Course of the Navy for the months of July, August, September, October, November and December 1716 |
150,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
for the old Course of the Navy to the 31st of December 1716 |
34,000 |
0 |
0 |
to the head of Victualling.
for the new Course of the Victualling for the abovesaid months of July to December 1716 inclusive |
66,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
for the old Course of the said Office |
3,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
— |
|
£253,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
And you are to make up and transmit to their Lordships an account of the discounts and charges on disposing of the said sum of 49,697l. 17s. 1¾d. in Four per cent. Annuities and the said sum of 3,188l. 10s. 3¾d. in tallies on Land Tax anno 1716. Disposition Book XXIV, p. 40. |
| Nov. 15. |
Same to Mr. Churchill. “Upon your informing me the last time you were at the Treasury that you had a complete set of “Rhymer's” Fœdera to dispose of, I have acquainted my Lords of the Treasury therewith, who are pleased to direct you to reserve them in your hands until you receive their Lordships' further orders.” Out Letters (General) XXII, p. 241.
Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to allow to Daniel Allegree as a reward 275l. 6s. 8d. as the one fourth part of the 1,101l. 6s. 8d. which was recovered from Nicholas Tourton and — Guiguier on account of frauds by them committed.
Prefixing: report from said Commissioners dated Aug. 29 last on said Allegree's petition. Petitioner sets forth that in Dec. 1710 he wrote a letter signed A. B. to the Treasury, which was sent to us, whereupon an advertisement was published in the Gazette of 30 Dec. and he acquainted Mr. Canby of frauds by Tourton and Guiguier in relation to their short shipping great quantities of certificate goods. Petitioner left the affair to Mr. Williamson who about that time was made a Commissioner of Customs and in March 1712 Tourton and Guiguier paid about 1,100l. for frauds committed.
The order of reference of his petition is dated 31 Aug. 1716 but it did not come to us till 21 March last “and we enquiring of the reason of the delay the petitioner informed us that he received it from the Treasury about the middle of December last, that he then gave it to Mr. Canby to see if he or Mr. Williamson had any objection to the said petition, who returned it again desiring the petitioner to deliver it to the Board, but he being after that sent upon duty several times was the occasion it was not sooner delivered. The petitioner had been formerly in the service of said Tourton and Guiguier. In order to fix a charge on the merchants, Mr. Williamson examined the Custom House books Inwards and Outwards for four years to see if any discovery could be had from them, and after having spent many months therein he had good cause to believe that divers sums of money had been received by the said merchants in prejudice of the revenue. Under advice of Auditor Harley, as the only means of finding out how those frauds had been committed, Mr. Williamson obtained access to Tourton's books under promise of secrecy and to renounce all advantages by any forfeiture” and that in case any frauds were discovered the same should not be made public to the prejudice of his and his partner's reputation. After an enquiry of 12 months it appeared that within the four years assigned by Mr. Allegre there had been received in debentures 1,101l. 6s. 8d. to the prejudice of the revenue, which sum was paid into the Exchequer in June 1712 under the head of Forfeitures. Williamson says that the affair was adjusted with Mr. Tourton and reported to the then Lord Treasurer before he [Williamson] was a Commissioner of the Customs. Mr. Williamson presented Allegree for a place as tidesman in fee but the then Lord Treasurer was not pleased to confirm the presentment, saying if the person had merited he would consent to his being rewarded by money, which Mr. Williamson often pressed “and in the mean time Mr. Williamson appointed the petitioner to be an extraordinary tidesman for his present subsistence.”
“From what appears to us upon the transaction of this affair we think Mr. Williamson ought to have laid the matter before the Board and not applied to one of the Auditors of the Imprest [Edward Harley, the brother of Robert Harley, the Lord Treasurer], under a pretence that by virtue of his said office [of Auditor] he had the examination into the payments of debentures: whereas the immediate care of this revenue is under the management of this Board and it is incumbent on them to discover and prosecute frauds relating to the revenue, the Auditors of the Imprest having (as we presume) no other cognizance of Debentures than to see they are duly vouched. And we are humbly of opinion it is of the last ill consequence to the revenue for affairs [sic for officers] to transact matters privately with merchants and others with regard to frauds without communicating the same to the Board: and notwithstanding the time was elapsed whereby no benefit could be had by a prosecution of the said merchants for the penalties with respect to the frauds committed by them, yet we think a public prosecution of those frauds for the amount of the drawback could have been of more service and benefit to the revenue than the said sum of 1,101l. 6s. 8d. And since Mr. Williamson could not as he allegeth procure a reward for the said Allegree's good service herein from the Treasury it had been proper for him to have acquainted the Board therewith or permitted the petitioner to have applied to the Commissioners for subsistence or reward, which the petitioner says Mr. Williamson would not allow him to do.” Out Letters (Customs) XVII, pp. 336–6. |
| Nov. 15 |
Treasury warrant to the Customs Commissioners to cause the 45 established tidesmen in Bristol port to be under the New Regulation of salary, pay and preferment as follows: and to add 5l. per an. to the salaries of the 25 [sic for 20] tidesmen named in the annexed list, who are to be called tidesmen in the superior list: whose places as they become vacant are to be supplied out of the other tidesmen of the inferior list.
Prefixing: presentment from said Commissioners dated Sept. 26 last proposing a new Regulation for the 45 Established tidesmen of said port who have 30l. per an. each. We are of opinion with the officers of said port that it will be better for the service, in keeping the tidesmen to a stricter performance of their duty, if their salaries were less on the Establishment and the remainder made up by a weekly pay of 10s. each by incidents as in this port [of London]: also if there were a division of the said tidesmen into two lists with an addition of 5l. per an. to the salary of those in the superior list. We therefore propose that the following 20 tidesmen who have been longest established be allowed 35l. per an.: viz., 9l. per an. by the Establishment and 10s. a week by incidents when employed; and the remaining 25 to be kept at 30l. per an.: viz., 4l. per an. by the Establishment and 10s. a week by incidents.
Appending: list of said 20 tidesmen longest employed, Joshua Merrett, Charles Power, Christopher Williamson, John Yeeles, Abraham Slay, Nath. Esbury, Jos. Miles, Fra. King, John Gyles, John Herne, Samuel Place, John Rowland, William Acklam, William Alfort, Rouse Rickthorne, Adam Batty, Samuel Harrington, James Baker, John Bracegirdle and David Thomas. Ibid., p. 37. |
