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| May 12. |
Royal warrant to the Attorney or Solicitor General for a great seal for a grant to Charles, Duke of Grafton, of the office of Master Forester of Whittlewood Forest ("the offices of Master of the Queen's Forests and Parks and Master of the Game of the Forest of Whittlewood in Cos. Northampton and Bucks, and of all the wild beasts and conies in the same Forest of Whittlewood"): with power to appoint the under officers thereof: "and whereas it has been represented unto us that the claims which have been heretofore allowed yearly to the said Master Forrester and other the officers of the said Forest have been as followeth, that is to say to the Master Forrester for his own fee 100s. in money yearly; to the under Forrester of Norton Woods and Sholebrook Lawn, being a double walk, 44 load of wood and 3l. 6s. 8d. in money yearly; to the page keeper of the said woods 11 load of wood and 16s. 8d. in money yearly; to the under Forrester of the walk called Shrob Office 22 load of wood and 1l. 13s. 4d. in money yearly; to the page keeper of the same walk 11 load of wood and 16s. 8d. in money yearly; to the under Forrester of the walk called Hangor Office 22 load of wood and 1l. 13s. 4d. in money yearly: to the under Forrester of Hasleborough Office 22 loads of wood and 1l. 13s. 4d. in money yearly; to the page keeper of Hasleborough Office 11 loads of wood and 16s. 8d. in money yearly; to the under Forrester of the double walk called Wakefield and Le Gullet Office 44 load of wood and 3l. 6s. 8d. in money yearly; to the page keeper
of the same walks 11 load of wood and 16s. 8d. in money yearly; to the Master Forrester's deputy 33 load of wood yearly, and for his expense in making hay for the deer 3l. 6s. 8d. in money yearly"; and the Queen is minded for the future to abolish all allowances of wood in order to the increase and preservation of the timber, the above are therefore to receive an allowance in money in lieu thereof at the rate of 10s. a load: all which money allowances are to be paid out of the sale of dotard timber unfit for the Navy in said forest. The said Duke is first to execute a surrender of all his title and claim to said office granted him by Charles II. Queen's Warrant Book XXV, pp. 199–201. |
| May 12. |
J. Taylour (in the absence of the Treasury Secretaries) to the Attorney General. The Queen has signed a warrant for your preparing a bill for the great seal for a grant to the Duke of Grafton of the office of Master [Forester] of Whittlewood Forest. The Lord Treasurer desires you to insert therein that by windfalls (which is a perquisite belonging to the said Master) it is not to be understood to be timber trees or other trees blown down by hurricanes or violent winds, but only such trees not being timber trees as are dead, and dead and rotten boughs blown down by ordinary winds. Also to insert a clause to restrain the keepers from lopping trees for browse other than such trees as have been lopped before, unless other trees for browsewood be set out by assignment of the Surveyor [General of Woods] and approval of the said Master Forester. Out Letters (General) XX, p. 186b. |
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Treasury reference to the Customs Commissioners of the petition of John Lashsure, a tidesman at Lynn Regis, praying removal to some other employment, he being rendered incapable by a violent cold. Reference Book IX, p. 64. |
| May 13. |
J. Taylour (in the absence of the Treasury Secretaries) to Visct. Fitz Hardinge to pay 128l. 9s. 6d. to Charles Couchman on bills signed by the Principal Secretaries of State for his travelling charges as one of the Messengers [of the Chamber] in ordinary, "he having represented the great charges he has been at in his journey to and from Hanover and the further expenses he must be at in returning to the Hague, whither he is now going." Disposition Book XXI, p. 263. |
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Same to the Customs Commissioners for an account of all Duties charged upon commodities of the growth or manufacture of France or imported from thence and to what uses the [moneys thereof] are applicable [or appropriated by Parliament] and whether some of the Duties laid on French goods in Charles II.'s time were not laid conditionally or for a certain term of years only. (A like letter dated May 16 to the Excise Commissioners concerning Excise Duties on the like products of France &c.) Out Letters (General) XX, pp. 186b, 190. |
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Same to same. The Lord Treasurer has been moved to give directions to the Customs officers in Pennsylvania to suffer the goods condemned there for illegal trading to be exported so that her Majesty may not suffer in her part thereof by wast[age] and warehouse rent. Please report thereon and give my Lord an account what goods these are and an estimate of their value and what objection you have to such directions. Ibid., p. 187. |
| May 13. |
Same to Mr. Burchet [Secretary to the Admiralty] enclosing an extract of a letter dated 8 April 1712 from the Customs Commissioners in Scotland to Mr. Lowndes representing that the Customs officers and merchants residing within the extent of the lights of the Isle of May or entrance of the Firth of Forth and river Tay (that is from St. Abbs Head to the Todd Head) complain that trade is exceedingly interrupted by small privateers of four to twelve guns and propose for the security of trade and of the Customs revenue that a small frigate of 24 or 30 guns may be stationed at the Isle of May to cruise from St. Abbs Head to the Readhead or the Toddhead (being about 20 leagues) with directions to the Commander to assist the Customs officers in boarding of tidesmen, searching of ships and (in concert with the Customs officers) doing everything proper for preventing the running of foreign goods and the re-landing of debenture goods. The Lord Treasurer desires the Admiralty Lords to appoint such a frigate for guard and to give such instructions to her Commander. |
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Prefixing: said extract as above: "for that within the limits of that cruise is the entrance of eight small ports from whence the greatest part of the consumption of this part of Britain is supplied (Edinburgh and the most populous places lying there) and 'tis also from some of these ports and particularly from Borrowstounness and [sic for that] Glasgow and the west of Scotland is chiefly supplied with Holland goods, which after they are landed on this [west] side are by land carriage conveyed thither: the particular guarding of this district is of the greatest importance for export as well as import, for almost all the tobacco that is exported on this side is first imported at Glasgow and brought by land to some of said eight ports (especially Borrows-townness) and there re-shipped for transportation." Ibid., pp. 187–8. |
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Same to Mr. Borrett enclosing a memorial [missing] from the Earl of Abingdon with a representation from the Ranger of Holt Forest concerning wastes committed there. You are to take the Attorney General's instructions to prosecute the offenders. |
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Likewise enclosing a representation and papers or proposals "for improvement of small sums of money." Please advise with the Attorney General about the immediate prosecution of the persons concerned in these illegal practices and how to suppress them. Ibid., p. 188. |
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[William Lowndes] to the Barons of the Exchequer, Scotland. The personal creditors of William, late Lord Bergany, have prayed that in a gift of the wardship of James, Lord Bergany [Bargeny], to Robert Dundas care may be taken for the overplus of the ward estate to be applied for payment of interest on their debts. My Lord Treasurer desires you to send him an account of the yearly value of the free estate and the estate in ward and of the respective debts affecting both estates. Out Letters (North Britain) II, p. 346. |
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Treasury reference to the Customs Commissioners, Scotland, of the petition of Lewis Hay, a riding officer at Port Glasgow, shewing that he is recommended as Comptroller in Prestonpans and another riding officer as Collector, which petitioner considers a hardship upon him that a stranger should be put over his head as Collector; in consideration of his faithful services, birth, education and intimate acquaintance with the nobility and gentry of that country. Ibid., p. 350. |
| May 13. |
Treasury reference to the Barons of the Exchequer, Scotland, of the petition of the Duchess of Hamilton shewing that she is entitled to some small fees of money and barley as Heretable Keeper of Holyrood House and constantly received same till the year 1707, but then through mistake her name was left out of the new Establishment; that the late Lord Treasurer said he would order payment thereof, but same is not yet done: therefore praying payment from said date. Out Letters (North Britain) II, p. 350. |
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Same to same of the petition of Henry Waller and Geo. Barkley, two episcopal ministers of North Britain, setting forth their suffering circumstances and that there is a small part of the revenue of the bishopric of Ross extending to about 60l. sterling per an. undisposed of as yet and three years thereof ungifted, viz. 1709–11: therefore praying a grant of same for the support of themselves and families. Ibid. |
| May 14. |
Warrant by Treasurer Oxford to Spencer Compton to pay 178l. 3s. 2d. to William Lowen to complete 333l. 13s. 2d. for the charge of taking and bringing 100 red deer from Haughton Park to Windsor Forest, which were given as a present to her Majesty by her Grace the Duchess of Newcastle, including 20 guineas given to the officers of said park. Money Book XXI, p. 499. |
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Same by same to same to pay 600l. to Thomas Andrews for so much expended by him according to her Majesty's order: to be paid out of loans to be made by said Andrews on credit of her Majesty's tin. Ibid. |
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Money warrant for 30,000l. to same [as Paymaster of her Majesty's pensions and bounties]: as in part of the privy seal of Feb. 14 last, ut supra, p. 144. (Money order dated May 16 hereon.) Ibid., p. 500. Order Book VIII, p. 183. |
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Warrant by Treasurer Oxford to Auditor Arthur Maynwaring to allow 40l. in the account of Joseph Whitehead and Thomas Edwards, Joint Clerks of the Hanaper in Chancery, for the charge of passing their account thereof for one year to 1711 Sept. 29. |
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Prefixing: said Maynwaring's certificate of the delivery of said account. Money Book XXI, p. 517. |
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Money warrant for 181l. 12s. 4d. to William Popple, Secretary to the Commissioners of Trade, for his incidents, detailed, therein between 1711 Sept. 29 and 1712 April 25. (Money order dated May 16 hereon.) (Letter of direction dated June 20 hereon.) Ibid., pp. 517–18. Order Book VIII, p. 192. Disposition Book XXI, p. 288. |
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Letter of direction for 1,000l. to William Lowndes: out of Civil List funds: for secret service. Disposition Book XXI, p. 264. |
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J. Taylour (in the absence of the Treasury Secretaries) to the Attorney General to report on the enclosed draft [missing] of a Commission for Managing the Duties about to be laid on soap and other things in the Bill now depending in the House of Commons. Out Letters (General) XX, p. 188. |
| May 14. |
Same to the Customs Commissioners to report on the enclosed petition [missing] of Philip Freeke and John Day, merchants, part owners of the ship Oxford, complaining against Robert Lowther, Governor of Barbados, for unjustly seizing said ship and cargo. Ibid., p. 189. |
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William Lowndes [to same] to report on the enclosed petition [missing] of the merchants concerned in the ship Margretta (Margaret) and 23 others [ships] [unnamed]. Ibid. |
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Warrant by Treasurer Oxford to same to observe an order of the Privy Council for the discharge from quarantine of the ship Margaret, Henry Coster master, from Hamburg with linen and yarn: on the petition of Peter Meyer, merchant. Out Letters (Customs) XV, p. 384. |
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Treasury reference to same of the petition of the executors of Jo[h]n James David, who was surety with Elias Dupuy and Jo[h]n Jaquin of London, merchants, for Duties on wines, to the amount of 871l. 14s. 9¼d., praying remission of the interest on the bonds, the said David being a considerable sufferer by accidents in trade as well as by the defect of the said Dupuy and Jaquin. Reference Book IX, p. 65. |
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Same to Mr. Brydges of the petition of John Hudson shewing that having contracted with Lieut. Gen. Cadogan in 170 8/9 and 170 9/10 for furnishing forage to all the Hanover Troops, including Bothmar's Regiment of Dragoons, to which he likewise delivered a full quantity, he expected his payment from her Majesty pursuant to his contracts, but upon making up his accounts one moiety of the advance for that Regiment was deducted from him, amounting for the year 1708–9 to 13,797 guilders and for the year 1709–10 to 27,760 guilders 17 stivers, or together 41,557 guilders 17½ stivers, for which, instead of payment, he received certificates from Mr. Cardonnel with direction to apply to the Council of State [of Holland] for satisfaction: that he has made application ever since for payment of this money and has been a very great sufferer by his long attendance and solicitations at the Hague by being kept so long out of his money: therefore prays the present payment thereof. Ibid. |
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Warrant by Treasurer Oxford to Nehemiah Arnold, Humphrey Brent, Thomas Cornwallis and Christopher Tilson, Commissioners for Lottery Tickets anno 1711, to turn several orders for small sums of the same 1,000 [of numerical sequence] or course of payment into one or more orders for larger sums payable in the same course of payment, "the former orders for the said small sums being thereupon to be delivered up and cancelled, and the new orders to be made forth in lieu thereof are to be numbered and take their course of payment equal as if they had at the first been made out of the same number as the highest number of the said cancelled orders were": all as by the Act of 9 Anne, c. 6, for said Lottery. Warrants not Relating to Money XXI, pp. 405–6. |
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Same by same to the Queen's Remembrancer to make an alteration in the security of Henry Ferne, ut supra, p. 269, as Receiver General and Cashier of the Customs viz. by taking his only son Robert Ferne as security in place of Mr. Twitty deceased. Ibid., p. 406. |
| May 14. |
Treasury reference to the Queen's Remembrancer, Scotland, to take the securities of John Montgomerie as Master of the Mint in Scotland. |
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Prefixing: report by William Steuart, the said Remembrancer, of the sufficiency of said securities. Out Letters (North Britain) II, p. 345. |
| May 15. |
J. Taylour (in the absence of the Treasury Secretaries) to Mr. Walpole (late Treasurer of the Navy). By your memorial of the 12th inst. you have represented to my Lord Treasurer that a considerable sum is wanting to answer defalcations made on ships' books which were paid during your being Treasurer of the Navy [to wit defalcations] for Greenwich Hospital, Chatham Chest and other purposes for which defalcations were made: and you have proposed that the 10,000l. remaining in your hands in tallies and orders on the fourteenth 4s. Aid anno 1711 which are dated Jan. 18 last, with the interest accrued thereon from the dates thereof, as also the 800l. principal money received by you on the like tallies, may be applied to answer the said defalcations. The Lord Treasurer agrees thereto (since the said tallies may now be disposed of at par) and to your raising the principal and interest thereupon and disposing and applying same accordingly so far as the same will extend, [you] taking care to certify this to the Navy Commissioners, as also the sums received by you for interest, so as [provided that] due care may be taken to surcharge you therewith in your account as Navy Treasurer. Disposition Book XXI, pp. 264–5. |
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Same to Mr. Howe [Paymaster of Guards and Garrisons]. The Lord Treasurer has read your report of April 26 last on the petition of Major General Handasyde praying that the tallies and orders on Malt anno 1711 dated July 18 last (which you were directed to issue to him to clear the subsistence of his Regiment in the West Indies to Dec. 22 last) may commence interest from the dates [of the assignment] thereof. My Lord agrees thereto and on your sending the orders to the Treasury he will give [endorse thereon] warrants to the Exchequer to pay interest from Dec. 22 last accordingly. Ibid., p. 265. |
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Same to the Customs Commissioners to report on the petition of Mary Clapton enclosed [missing] praying a reward for her father's services in discovering certain frauds committed by Mr. Scarborough, collector of Customs at Liverpool: the said petition being referred to the Lord Treasurer by the Privy Council. Out Letters (General) XX, p. 189. |
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Same to the Attorney General enclosing Mr. Compton's memorial [missing]. It is the Queen's pleasure that the plate therein mentioned should be delivered over by Mr. Compton to some persons appointed by her Majesty, but that it should be kept as her Majesty's private plate, not as Crown plate. Please advise the Lord Treasurer what sort of discharge may be given to Mr. Compton and what instrument should be executed by the person that shall receive it; and please draft such a discharge and instrument. Ibid., p. 190. |
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William Lowndes to the same enclosing a signet of the late King Wm. III. for admitting Richard Brinsendell (who lost his left hand
in the Crown's service) into an almsman's place in St. Stephen's Hospital, Westminster, upon the first vacancy, which [vacancy] fell about a fortnight since. The Lord Treasurer desires your opinion in writing whether the signet of his late Majesty is still valid. Ibid. |
| May 16. |
Warrant by Treasurer Oxford to Spencer Compton to pay 50l. to Erasmus Lewis or his assigns in satisfaction of so much expended by him for her Majesty's special service. Money Book XXI, p. 518. |
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Money order for 25l. to Geo. Holmes for 1712 Lady day quarter's salary as chief clerk in the business of digesting and putting into order the Records lying in Cæsar's Chapel in the White Tower and other Records within the Tower of London. Order Book VIII, p. 188. |
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Letter of direction for 600l. to Spencer Compton on his unsatisfied order as Paymaster of the Queen's Pensions and Bounties: to be satisfied out of loans to be made by Thomas Andrews on credit of the Queen's tin. Disposition Book XXI, p. 265. |
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J. Taylour (in the absence of the Treasury Secretaries) to Lord Derby enclosing a report [missing] from the Customs Commissioners dated the 14th inst. which regards sundry matters relating to the Isle of Man. My Lord Treasurer commands me to send you a copy thereof for your Lordship's perusal. Out Letters (General) XX, p. 190. |
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Same to the Customs Commissioners to report on the enclosed letter [missing] sent from Fowey to the Lord Treasurer. Please peruse same and send my Lord a true state of the matter. Ibid., p. 191. |
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Treasury reference to same of the petition of Alexander Calhoune, late a servant to the Lord Treasurer, praying employment in the Customs House. Reference Book IX, p. 65. |
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Treasurer Oxford to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to report on the enclosed petition [missing] of Col. Henry Monro to be placed at half pay on the Establishment of Ireland in consideration of his services and his great losses and sufferings in the late war in Ireland. Out Letters (Ireland) IX, p. 277. |
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Warrant by Treasurer Oxford to the Customs Commissioners, Scotland, to employ Thomas Knight as a landwaiter at Leith at 35l. per an. |
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Hugh Montgomerie as a surveyor of the landcarriagemen at Edinburgh loco Alexander Campbell, deceased, at 30l. per an. Out Letters (North Britain) II, p. 346. |
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Treasury reference to the Barons of the Exchequer, Scotland, of the petition of William Steuart, Queen's Remembrancer in the Exchequer Court, Scotland, shewing that at the commencement of the Union he was in possession of the offices of Principal Clerk of the Exchequer, Principal Clerk of the Treasury and Keeper of the Register of Signatures, which said offices produced him about 600l.; that his office of Queen's Remembrancer scarce yields 130l. per an.: therefore praying some reparation in consideration of his loss. Ibid. |
| May 16. |
Treasury reference to Mr. Brydges of the petition of Col. Harry Goring praying payment of 497l. 5s. 0d. out of the offreckonings of the late Col. Sibourgh's Regiment of Foot (afterwards the Regiment of his [petitioner's] brother, William Goring, deceased), being for clothing furnished to three Companies thereof commanded by him [? petitioner's brother] and now by Col. Du Bourgay. Reference Book IX, p. 66. |
| May 17. |
Warrant by Treasurer Oxford to Spencer Compton to pay 200l. to Dame Henrietta Maria Yarborough: as royal bounty. Money Book XXI, p. 522. |
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Letter of direction for 12,123l. 5s. 7¾d. to James Brydges, Paymaster of the Forces Abroad: out of loans now remaining [in the Exchequer] on Land Tax anno 1712: and is to be paid over to Sir Solomon D'Midena [Medina] to answer the value of 128,506 guilders 16 stivers (at the rate of 10 guilders 12 stivers to the pound sterling) remaining due to him to discharge his whole demand as to her Majesty's Forces in the Low Countries on his contracts dated 1710–11 Feb. 8 as well for bread as for bread waggons. Disposition Book XXI, p. 265b. |
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William Lowndes to the Customs Commissioners to instruct William Greenwood at the waterside in [inspecting the] shipping [off] and landing of goods. Out Letters (General) XX, p. 191. |
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Same to the Taxes Commissioners to examine the sufficiency of the sureties proposed by Mr. Mitchell as Receiver of Land Tax anno 1712 for part of Co. Devon. Ibid. |
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Treasury reference to the Customs Commissioners of the petition of John Smith, executor of George Smith, surety of Samuel Oakly, Mr. Arnold and Dean Cock for tobacco bonds in 795l. 10s. 10d., Oakly and Cock being failed and Arnold's person and estate under seizure and petitioner having sold an estate to meet the debt: therefore praying remission of interest on the bonds. Reference Book IX, p. 65. |
| May 19. |
Warrant by Treasurer Oxford to the South Sea Company to permit and suffer Thomas Savery, Treasurer or Paymaster for Sick and Wounded Seamen and Prisoners at War ("who hath or is to have credit in the books of your Company for the sum of 87,905l. 18s. 4½d. in stock by virtue of a transference made or to be made to him of the said [amount of] stock by Charles Caesar, Treasurer of the Navy, in pursuance of my warrant of April 26 1712"), to assign and transfer the said sum of 87,905l. 18s. 4½d. in stock to such and so many persons and in such proportions as shall from time to time be named in lists to be transmitted to you signed by the Commissioners for Sick and Wounded: the said stock being intended to discharge the debts in the Office of Sick and Wounded to Michaelmas 1711. Money Book XXI, p. 280. |
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Money warrant for 2,645l. 13s. 6d. to Samuel Smethin, her Majesty's Goldsmith, for gold works, gilt and white plate &c. delivered by him into the Jewel Office from Michaelmas to Xmas 1711. |
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Appending: certificate by Heneage Finch [Master of the Jewel Office] of the quantities of said gold work (finely wrought and
enamelled) and plate &c. so delivered. (Money order dated May 20 hereon.) (Letter of direction dated May 6 [sic, probably for June 6] hereon.) Ibid., p. 519. Order Book VIII, p. 186. Disposition Book XXI, p. 266. |
| May 19. |
Same for 1,114l. to Christopher Rhodes, Secretary to the Commissioners for the 1,500,000l. Lottery anno 1711 [9 Anne, c. 6] and the 2 Million Adventure anno 1711 [9 Anne, c. 16]: to complete the incident expenses attending the execution of the Acts for said Lottery and Adventure: 470l. 8s. 6¾d. thereof to be satisfied out of the fonds established for the Lottery and the balance out of the fonds for the Adventure, being three sevenths and four seventh parts respectively. (Money order dated May 24 hereon.) Money Book XXI, pp. 519–20. Order Book VIII, p. 188. |
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Warrant by Treasurer Oxford to the Customs Commissioners to repay the Land Tax assessments anno 1712 on Customs officers of the outports on salaries not exceeding 60l. per an. |
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Prefixing: memorial by said Commissioners to the Lord Treasurer praying said allowance as formerly made to the deputed officers of the outports. Money Book XXI, p. 521. |
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Letter of direction for 1,500l. to William Lowndes: out of Civil List moneys: for secret service. Disposition Book XXI, p. 265. |
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Same for satisfying out of loans to be made by Samuel Edwyn, Usher of the Receipt, upon credit of the Queen's tin, the sum of 6,547l. 4s. 4d. representing his unsatisfied money orders as follows for necessaries furnished by him to the several officers in the Exchequer: viz. |
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£ |
s. |
d. |
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for the Million Lottery Office, the Malt Lottery Office and the Debenture Offices for four years to Lady day 1711 |
772 |
15 |
3¾ |
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for the Malt Lottery Office for three years to Lady day 1711 |
166 |
10 |
11½ |
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for the several old [Annuity &c.] Offices of the Exchequer for two years to 12 Feb. 1710–11 |
5,607 |
18 |
0¾ |
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£6,547 |
4 |
4 |
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Ibid., p. 265b. |
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Treasury reference to the Postmasters General of the representation of several Justices of Peace for the West Riding of Yorks dated 1711 May 1 certifying that Mrs. Sarah Wainwright is complained of for abuses in the management of the Post Office at Ferry Bridge: and recommending George Skipton of Pontefract and William Rawson of Bradford for the management of the Ferry Bridge and Leeds letters with the other branches depending on the same, and Mr. Thomas Wilson of Wakefield for the management of the Wakefield bag. Reference Book IX, p. 65. |
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Same to Mr. Brydges of the petition of the clothiers of her Majesty's Forces in Spain and Portugal shewing that they have delivered the said clothing according to contract, as the Board of General Officers
are satisfied; [and] that the offreckonings for payment thereof are above 21 months in arrear: therefore praying payment. Reference Book IX, p. 65. |
| May 20. |
Warrant by Treasurer Oxford to Spencer Compton to pay 200l. to Edward, Earl of Clarendon: as royal bounty without account. Money Book XXI, p. 521. |
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William Lowndes to Mr. James Brydges to report on the enclosed letter [missing] from Monsieur Boissier and Company, merchants of Genoa, relating to money due to them on bills drawn by Mr. Chetwynd. Out Letters (General) XX, p. 191. |
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Same to the Inspectors of the Affairs of the Army in Spain to examine into the complaint contained in the following letter from one of the Assentistas in Portugal to the Earl of Portmore. |
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Appending: said letter dated Lisbon 5 April 1712 and signed P. R.: |
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"My Lord. I have been yesterday to wait on you to complain of Mr. Morris, your Paymaster's, proceedings, who puts several unjust and ridiculous doubts to paying me the balance he owes me for the bread and forage I supplied Col. Foissac's Regiment at Algarve and Lord Barremore's at Cascais. 'Tis true I have refused paying him or allowing him the 2 per cent. he pretends to be his due for paying any of the Queen's money to the Assentistas; and I have been emboldened to do so since I have seen [that] the Queen and present Ministry in England don't allow that any such exorbitant or undue deductions should be made. And had I not abhorred the character of being an informer against any one I might have easily shown where said gentleman has received for bribes or what he calls perquisites the best part of 100,000 Crowns from the Assentistas and others, for preferring one in payment before the other. And indeed at this rate he has rendered the English credit and Queen's debts in this kingdom very precarious these last years. And 'tis the last fund that any of the Assentistas will now take in payment or security for their contracts; all occasioned by the sordid practices of said Paymaster. For 'twas a considerable advantage to him to retard the payment of those for whom the money was designed, to lend it out to them and other necessitous people at 1 per cent. interest per month, which is 12l. per annum. 'Twould look like malice should I trouble your Excellency with the particulars of his unhandsome practices: and I believe had it been known at home he'd find few to uphold him; notwithstanding that till the late changes he pretended to be of the Tory faction in England. But he finds the present Ministry not so good, for that they are for rectifying all the corruptions they find, let it be in either of the parties without distinction. I beg your Excellency's pardon for this interruption the day the pacquet goes, and that you don't think amiss of me that I give orders to my Agents in the country to furnish no more provisions to the English Troops in the parts [where] I am Assentista without your Excellency's
immediate obligation to see me paid without being obliged to pay any per cent. to your Paymaster. And if I loose what's past I must have patience." |
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Ibid., p. 192. |
| May 20. |
J. Taylour (in the absence of the Treasury Secretaries) to Mr. How [Paymaster of Guards and Garrisons]. It is her Majesty's pleasure that the new commission for Chelsea Hospital should be immediately opened. Please fix a day and send notice to all the Commissioners "to the end the affairs of the Hospital, which are (as my Lord Treasurer is informed) in the greatest disorder, may be taken care of." Ibid., p. 193. |
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Treasury reference to the Barons of the Exchequer, Scotland, of the petition of the Earl of Aberdeen shewing that there is due to him 2,000l. as late Chancellor of Scotland for one year's salary and 1,000l. for the charge of his journeys to London, "being called up by the King's order for which he was promised 500l. for each journey." Out Letters (North Britain) II, p. 346. |
