Warrant Books: January 1708, 6-10

Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 22, 1708. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1952.

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'Warrant Books: January 1708, 6-10', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 22, 1708, ed. William A Shaw( London, 1952), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol22/pp69-81 [accessed 24 November 2024].

'Warrant Books: January 1708, 6-10', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 22, 1708. Edited by William A Shaw( London, 1952), British History Online, accessed November 24, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol22/pp69-81.

"Warrant Books: January 1708, 6-10". Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 22, 1708. Ed. William A Shaw(London, 1952), , British History Online. Web. 24 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books/vol22/pp69-81.

January 1708, 6–10

Jan. 6. Letter of direction for 7016l. 13. 4 to Charles Mason, Treasurer & Paymaster of the Transports: out of loans on Malt anno 1708: to be applied as follows viz:
£ s. d.
towards defraying the charge of 4000 quarters of wheat ordered to be bought up 5516 13 4
to answer bills of exchange from Lisbon & other occasions for the Office for Transports 1500
£7016 13 4
This letter was replaced on the same day by a letter directing the same total but changing the purpose of the item of 5516l. 13. 4 as follows “to be reserved for such services as my Lord Treasurer shall think fit to appoint.” Disposition Book XIX, pp. 88, 90.
Jan. 6. Treasury reference to the Postmaster General of the petition of William Brookes et al of London merchants shewing that they have contracted with the King of Portugal for clothing his army & are obliged to deliver the same by March 1 next: that in pursuance thereof they have sent some cloth to Lisbon but no linings, but have 500 [lengths of] stuffs ready at Falmouth for the said use but no conveniency to send the same but by the pacquet boat: therefore pray leave to ship by said boat at Falmouth. Reference Book VIII, p. 291.
Same to the Agents for Taxes of the petition of Sir William Fazakerley, Chamberlain of London, praying to be appointed Receiver General of Land Tax anno 1708 for London, Westminster & Middlesex & proposing his securities detailed. (For the appointment of the Receivers for this Tax see infra p. 96 under date Jan 27.) Out Letters (Affairs of Taxes) I, p. 157.
Jan. 7. Money warrant for 25l. each to Edward Wilcox & Thomas Hewett for half a year to 1707 Lady Day as Surveyor General of Woods for respectively south Trent & north Trent. Money Book XIX, p. 73. Disposition Book XIX, p. 93.
Same for 70l. 6. 9 to William Popple, secretary to the Commissioners for Trade, for the incidents, detailed, of said Commissioners for 1707 Sept 29 quarter. Money Book XIX, p. 143. Order Book VII, p. 97. Disposition Book XIX, p. 93.
Same for 250l. to William Borret for half a year to 1707 Xmas on his allowances in lieu of all termly & other fees for soliciting & looking after law suits & prosecutions for her Majesty's service. Money Book XIX, p. 145. Disposition Book XIX, p. 93.
Allowance by Treasurer Godolphin of the salary bill of the Stamps Office for 1707 Xmas quarter: total 1330l.
The like of the incidents bill, detailed, of said Office for the quarter ended 1707 Nov. 1: total 1070l. 7. 8. Money Book XIX, p. 146.
Money warrant for 25l. to Amias Hext for 1707 June 24 quarter on his pension.
10l. to the Vicar of the Tower, for 1 ½ years to 1707 Sept 29 on a perpetuity of 6l. 13. 4 per an. Ibid., pp. 146, 176. Disposition Book XIX, pp. 86, 93.
Jan. 7. Warrant by Treasurer Godolphin to John Dodd, Receiver General of the Rights & Perquisites of Admiralty, to pay 942l. 2. 1 to the Judge, Register, Marshal & the other officers, detailed, of the High Court of Admiralty in full of their fees & disbursements for business done for the service of the Admiralty in the said Court & Court of Appeals for Prizes between 1706 June 24 & 1707 Dec 8, as certified by Sir Charles Hedges, Judge of the High Court of Admiralty. Money Book XIX, p. 147.
Same by same to the Commissioners of Excise in North Britain to pay an allowance of 80l. per an to the Comptroller of the said Excise for the salaries of 2 clerks to be employed by him, one to attend constantly at the daily Receipt & to keep the books of accounts of the Edinburgh Brewery & Distillery and the other to assist in all matters relating to the examination of the several Country Inland Collectors' accounts for Excise and of the accounts of the several collectors of the outports for imported Exciseable liquors.
Prefixing: report from said Commissioners as to said salary, in reply to Mr. Lowndes's letter of Oct 22 last. Ibid., p. 148.
Money warrants for a quarter's ordinary to 1707 June 24 to the Ambassadors as follows:
1300l. to the Duke of Marlborough as Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary to the States General.
910l. to Thomas, Lord Raby as Ambassador Extraordinary to the King of Prussia.
1010l. to Paul Methuen as same to the King of Portugal: which with 910l. already paid him by way of advance is for 193 days' ordinary from 1706 Dec 14 to 1707 June 24.
455l. to James Stanhope as same to the King of Spain.
273l. to same as Plenipotentiary to same.
1224l. to Sir Phillip Meadows as Envoy Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary to the Emperor of Germany; whereof 765l. is for 153 days from 1707 July 25 to Dec 25 on his 5l. a day as Envoy, and 459l. is for the same time on his 3l. a day as Plenipotentiary: he having received 3 months' allowance by way of advance to July 25 last “as appears by the certificate of his departure out of her Majesty's presence.”
455l. to Dr. Henry Newton as Envoy Extraordinary to the Great Duke of Tuscany.
455l. to Abraham Stanyan as same to the Swiss Cantons.
455l. to Cha Whitworth as same to the Czar of Muscovy.
455l. to John Chetwind as same to the Duke of Savoy.
455l. to Daniell Pultney as same to the King of Denmark.
455l. to Emanuell Scroop How as same to the Prince of Brunswick Luneburg.
273l. to John Wych as Resident at Hamburg.
182l. to Henry Davenant as her Majesty's Secretary at Frankfort.
182l. to James Dayrolle as Resident at the Hague.
150l. to Robert Coles as Agent & Consul at Algiers: for one quarter to 1707 May 10.
95l. to Benjamin Lodington as Agent & Consul General at Tripoli.
32l. 10. 0 to Gasper Perrinet Darziliers as Residing for her Majesty's service at Geneva.
955l. to William Cadogan Esq. 500l. thereof for equipage & 455l. for a quarter's ordinary in advance as Envoy Extraordinary to the States General. Money Book XIX, pp. 149–50, 152. Order Book VII, pp. 92–3, 95. Disposition Book XIX, p. 93.
Jan. 7. Warrant by Treasurer Godolphin to the Postmaster General to pay 3525l. to the Duchess of Cleveland for three quarters to 1707 Xmas on her annuity: to be paid by 100l. a week. Money Book XIX, p. 151. Disposition Book XIX, p. 92.
Allowance by same of the Salt Office salary bill, not detailed, for 1707 Xmas quarter: total 1112l. 10. 0. Money Book XIX, p. 24.
The like of the Excise Office salary bill, not detailed, for same quarter: total (together with the Malt Office salaries) 6238l. 13. 9 ¾. Ibid., p. 31.
Money warrants for 462l. 10. 0 each to Charles, Earl of Sunderland & Robert Harley for 1707 Xmas quarter on their allowance or salary as Secretaries of State. Ibid., p. 152. Order Book VI, p. 96. Disposition Book XIX, p. 93.
Same for 150l. to the Agents for Taxes (William Clayton, Robert Barker, & Richard Shoreditch) for same quarter's salaries.
20l. to William Clayton to be paid to the several persons who were instrumental in extinguishing the fire which lately happened at the Exchequer at the Trial of the Pix. Money Book XIX, p. 153. Order Book VII, pp. 95, 98. Disposition Book XIX, p. 93.
Warrant by Treasurer Godolphin to Spencer Compton to pay 563l. 15. 4 to the several persons as follows in full satisfaction of their several demands, being for allowances in lieu of fees for moneys imprested to the said Compton at the Receipt viz
£ s. d.
Lord Halifax [Auditor of the Receipt] for himself & his clerks 101
Henry Pelham [as Clerk of the Pells] for himself & his clerks 50
William Lowndes at the Treasury 50
Mr. Tilson for himself & other clerks at the Treasury 40
Spencer Compton for 3 quarters to 1707 Xmas on his allowances for a clerk 75
Edward Godfrey's bill for fees paid by him to the Tellers for said three quarters for issues to said Compton etc 156 2 0
Charles Bint & Thomas Boniface for same three quarters for being employed in her Majesty's service for carrying the votes & other business; as hath been usually allowed viz 45l. 16. 8 each 91 13 4
£563 15 4
Money Book XIX, p. 154. Disposition Book XIX, p. 93.
Allowance by same of the incidents bill & salary bill, detailed, of the Hackney Coaches Office for 1707 Xmas quarter: totals respectively 76l. 14. 1 ½ & 207l. 10. 0. Money Book XIX, p. 155,
Jan. 7. Money warrant for 150l. to Thomas Coke for 1707 Xmas quarter on his allowance as Vice Chamberlain of the Household over & above the ancient profits of that office. Ibid., p. 155. Order Book VII, p. 97. Disposition Book XIX, p. 93.
Same for 100l. to the Corporation of Lyme Regis for one year to 1707 Xmas on the annuity for repair of the Cobb Pier. Money Book XIX, p. 156. Order Book VII, p. 102. Disposition Book XIX, p. 93.
Warrant dormant by Treasurer Godolphin to the Customs Cashier to pay to Charles Tyrrell the salary of 52l. per an as a Queen's waiter London port. Money Book XIX, p. 194.
Money order for 16740l. 0. 6 ½ to the Bank of England for 4 ½ per cent allowance for circulating Exchequer Bills under the Act 5 Anne [6 Anne c. 21] to wit for circulating 1518425l. of the said Bills from 1707 Sept 29 to Dec 25: as follows
£ s. d.
Exchequer Bills issued before 29 Sept 1707 1470225l. interest for the said quarter 16540 0 7 ½
issued 25 Oct 1707 15250l. 61 days 114 13 9
— 4 Dec — 32950l. 21 85 6 2
£16740 0 6 ½
This sum is to be issued out of Exchequer Bills. Order Book VII, p. 91.
Letter of direction for 18170l. 0. 6 to Mr. How, Paymaster General of Guards and Garrisons: out of loans on Malt anno 1708: to be for services as follows: viz
£ s. d.
in part of 119608l. 18. 6 for Guards & Garrisons anno 1708
for 28 days' subsistence for the Troops & Regiments in England from Dec 24 last to Jan 20 inst 9910 14 10
on account of subsistence for the Forces in North Britain from Dec 24 last 5000
in part of 87125l. 10. 0 for the 5000 men for sea service anno 1708
for the like subsistence for the Regiments of Mordaunt, Erle, Paston & Livesay 2859 5 8
in part of 5000l. for the Invalids anno 1708
on account of the pay of the 4 Companies of Invalids from Dec 24 last 400
£18170 0 6
Disposition Book XIX, p. 88.
Same for 243l. to James Brydges, Paymaster of the Forces Abroad; out of Contributions for Annuities anno 1707: & as in part of 186296l. 4. 2 for the additional 10000 men in Spain & Portugal anno 1707: & is to be paid over to Major Allen on his allowance of 20s. a day as Commissary General of Provisions to the Forces sent into Spain in 1706 under the Earl of Rivers; to wit for the period 1707 April 25 (to which time he has been paid the said allowance abroad) to 23 Decr following. Disposition Book XIX, p. 88.
Jan. 7. Letter of direction for 67960l. 7. 2 to James Bridges: out of loans on Land Tax anno 1708: for purposes as follows
£ s. d.
in part of 586671l. 12. 6 for the established Forces in Spain or Portugal anno 1708
for subsistence upon account, from 1707 Dec 24 to Harvey's Regiment of Horse, the Dragoon Regiments of Raby, Pepper, Guiscard, Peirce & Nassau & the Foot Regiments of Hara, Hotham, Sybourgh, Magny & Blosset, all in Spain, to be paid according to their effectives 30000
for subsistence upon account to the Foot Regiments of Watkins & Elliott at Gibraltar from the same time 5000
for 4 months' subsistence to the Foot Regiments of Peirce, Stanwix, Sankey & Newton in Portugal from 1707 Dec 24 to 1708 April 23 13212 12 0
for Contingencies to the 6 last mentioned Regiments on account 1000
for 2 months' subsistence to Lord Barrymore's Regiment of Foot here in England from 1707 Dec 24 to 1707–8 Feb 23 1937 15 4
for the like subsistence for the officers & 450 private men each of the Foot Regiments of Brudenall, Hamilton, Mohun, Caulfeild, Farrington & Allen 9519 1 4
for Dr. Amyott, Physician to the Commander in Chief of the Forces in Spain: to be laid out in medicines for the Hospitals in Spain & to be placed to the head of Contingencies 300
in part of 494689l. 8. 6 for subsidies to the Allies anno 1708
for her Majesty's proportion of the agio, bread & forage for 12000 Prussians serving in the Netherlands for the months of January & February 1707–8 viz 1780l. 1. 10 ½ for the agio, 1215l. 2. 4 for bread and 3995l. 14. 3 ½ for forage 6990 18 6
£67960 17 2
Ibid., p. 89.
William Lowndes to the Navy Commissioners. The Lord Treasurer being indisposed will not be at the Treasury this afternoon & therefore directs you to attend here next Friday evening & to bring an account what hemp the contractors have delivered in pursuance of their contract. Out Letters (General) XVIII, p. 380.
Treasury reference to Auditor Godolphin of the petition of Daniell Peck of Chester shewing that Roger Whitley, who holds the office of Receiver General [of Crown Lands] of North Wales & Cheshire by patent for life, did on the death of Samuell Hewson his deputy appoint the petitioner in his stead who gave security & has faithfully performed the said place: that said Whitley (who never acted personally) has executed a surrender of said place to entitle petitioner to her Majesty's favour: therefore petitioner prays that said surrender may be accepted & said office granted to him during good behaviour. Reference Book VIII, p. 290.
Jan. 7. Subscription by Treasurer Godolphin for the execution of a Lord Chamberlain's warrant dated 1707 Dec 19 to the Master of the Great Wardrobe for the delivery of 12 cane chairs to Richard Evans, chamber keeper to the Maids of Honour, for their eating room at St James's: to an estimate of 22l. 16. 0. Warrants not Relating to Money XX, p. 92.
The like of a like dated 1706 Dec 12 for delivery to Eliz. Jux, strewer of herbs, of a livery for the year 1707: to an estimate of 1l. 10. 0. Ibid., p. 95.
The like of a like dated 1707 Nov 25 for the delivery to Henry Lowman of furniture, not detailed, for her Majesty's service at Kensington: to an estimate of 602. 13. 0. Ibid.
The like of a like dated 1707 Dec. 19 for the provision for the Pages of the Backstairs of Holland sheets &c according to their allowance once in three years: to an estimate of 86. 10. 0. Ibid.
The like of a like dated 1707 Dec 19 for the provision for James Heseltine, & William Perry, children of the Chapel [whose voices have changed], of the usual allowance of clothes: to an estimate of 9l. each. Ibid.
The like of a like dated 1707 Nov. 25 for the delivery to Dr. Blow of liveries for the Children of the Chapel for the year 1707: to an estimate of 270l. Ibid.
The like of a like dated 1707 Sept 26 for the provision of tapestry hangings for her Majesty's service at Kensington with several other necessaries to be done at Hampton Court, Somerset House, St James's & the Cockpit: to an estimate of 502l. 14. 0. Ibid., p. 96.
Warrant by same to the Receipt to take back from Daniel La Maire (“then & now at Geneva”) the tally & order which his correspondent Mr Goudet a merchant in London by payment of 63l. did on the 21st Feb 1695–6 obtain for converting an annuity of 14l. to which said La Maire was entitled during the life of his son Peter into a term absolute: & upon his paying back into the Exchequer 122l. 10. 0 received thereupon to cancel such tally & order & to levy & strike another tally & draw a new order for a reversion of the like yearly sum or annuity: the nominee in the said order having died on the 13th Feb 1695–6 “which was the day before the payment of the purchase money” but no notice was given to the Auditor of the Receipt, which would have prevented the subsequent payments of the said annuity & the said correspondent ignorantly or fraudulently continued to receive the said annuity until Michaelmas 1704 but having of late been informed that the purchase was illegal he informed his principal the said La Maire who submitted the matter to the Lord Treasurer by petition.
Prefixing: La Maire's petition and statement of opinion thereon by Sir Simon Harcourt, Attorney General. Warrants not Relating to Money XX, pp. 92–5.
Jan. 7. Warrant by Treasurer Godolphin to the Queen's Remembrancer to take the securities, detailed, of Vaughan Bonner as Receiver General of the Duties on Houses for parts of Co Lincoln ut supra, Treasury Calendar, Vol. XXI, p. 437. (Treasurer Godolphin's commission to said Bonner accordingly dated Jan 7.) Out Letters (Affairs of Taxes) I, pp. 114, 117.
Same by same to the Excise Commissioners in North Britain to establish 11 officers detailed (Cashier, Accomptant General, two accomptants, storekeeper, examiner of officers' books, messenger, porter & watchman) for the Excise Office [at Edinburgh] at salaries detailed.
Prefixing: presentment by said Commissioners of the list of said officers [names not given] dated Edinburgh 18 Dec 1707. “Being unwilling to put officers upon salary till we had occasion for 'em prevented our sooner transmitting this list of those employed within the office, to your Lordship.” Out Letters (North Britain) I, pp. 199–200.
Same by same to the Customs Commissioners in North Britain to pay the quarterly salary bill for 1707 Xmas quarter of the Outports Customs officers, detailed, in Scotland: total 1243l. 5. 0. Ibid., pp. 200–5.
The like for same of Edinburgh & Leith for same quarter including the Commissioners &c detailed: total 1253l. 10. 0. Ibid., pp. 206–7.
Same by same to same to establish Hugh Bishop as a tidewaiter at Fort William in North Britain, that precinct being of too large an extent for the present officers to guard the same.
Alexander Martin as tidewaiter at Kirkcaldy for the same reason. Ibid., p. 208.
Jan. 8. Money order for 20l. to Roger Millart, Secretary to the Agents for Taxes, being 15l. for himself & 5l. for a messenger to said Agents for 1707 Xmas quarter. Order Book VII, p. 99.
William Lowndes to the Attorney General to report on the report of William Borrett on the petition & papers [missing] of James Bourne concerning his apprehending, at Chester, Richard Tailor late Paymaster of the Million Lottery ticquets, for a debt owing to the Crown. Out Letters (General) XVIII, p. 380.
Same to the Stamps Commissioners to enquire whether there was any pecuniary consideration for John Spackman's proposed resignation to Isaac Mont of his place as a stamper. Ibid.
Same to Dr. Davenant to report on the enclosed memorials [missing] of Monsieur Vryberge & Mr. Taverner relating to the Duties on Holland & Flanders linen imported into this kingdom & several allegations for reducing the Duties thereon & settling that trade upon a more just & equitable foot “in respect to the subjects of both nations.” Ibid.
Jan. 8. Treasury reference to Mr. Borrett of the petition of Samuell Blunt et al, creditors of Thomas Patching, shewing that one Hill is endeavouring to get a grant of the said Patching's estate which is forfeited to her Majesty and to defraud petitioners of the satisfaction which they might otherwise expect for their said debts. Reference Book VIII, p. 289.
Same to Edward Wilcox, Surveyor General of Woods, Trent South, of the petition of William Perkins shewing that he has an estate at Twitnam [Twickenham] by lease from the Crown renewable every 20 years whereon are some old decayed pollard trees that are of no use to the Navy & very incommodious to petitioner: therefore praying leave to cut them down. Ibid., p. 290.
Jan. 9. Letter of direction for 5000l. to Mr. Brydges: out of loans on Malt anno 1708: in part of 500000l. for augmenting her Majesty's Forces: & is to be paid to Charles Mason, Treasurer & Paymaster of the Transports: to be applied towards the charge of 4000 quarters of wheat ordered to be bought up here for the service of the King of Spain: & is to be taken as part of the 150,000 to be paid to the said King for the expense of his person & household. In the margin: “Vide a letter otherwise to dispose hereof.” [This marginal note appears to refer to the entry of Jan. 6, supra p. 70.] Disposition Book XIX, p. 90.
Representation of the state of the Equivalent paid to Scotland, exhibited to the Lord Treasurer by the Commissioners of the Equivalent. By the 15th Article of the Treaty of Union it was provided firstly that out of the 398085l. 10. 0 consideration was to be for the losses of private persons from the reduction of the coin of Scotland to the standard of England. The Parliament of Scotland remitted it to the Privy Council there to determine the manner of such reduction & to certify how far such losses were to be made good to private persons & in what manner they were to have access against the Commissioners of the Equivalent for such losses. Thereupon the Privy Council of Scotland by proclamation ordained all the English [sic for Scotch] silver money to be told upon a certain day at certain places and certificates to be granted of the loss upon the money so respectively & individually produced, to wit the loss sustained by reducing the money produced by each individual to the value of the coin of England; such certificate to be a warrant to the Commissioners of the Equivalent to pay such sum. In the whole these certificates amounted to 3020l. 1. 9 32/86 whereof the Commissioners paid 3008l. 7. 7 5/6 leaving 11l. 14. 1 3/6 unpaid. In the next place they ordained all foreign silver coin current in Scotland to be brought in to the Mint by a certain day to be recoined against certificates of the difference between the tale of such money & the value of same when recoined to the standard of England. This specie is all brought in and in tale amounts to 132000l.; but not being all recoined the loss is uncertain but may be estimated at 17000l. towards which the Commissioners have paid 6121l. 18. 0 leaving 10878l. 2. 0. unpaid. Besides this specie the Commissioners are informed there is 20000l. of the said specie brought into Edinburgh from the Northern Countries [Counties] which by reason of the distance & badness of the weather could not be brought in by the time prefixed. There will be a further loss to be met thereon. The Scotch coin is yet current in Scotland & cannot be conveniently called in till the Mint shall have made a further progress in [re]coining the foreign money & so the quantity is yet uncertain but may be estimated at 200000l. & the loss thereon about 30000l. The total loss demand upon the Equivalent under this head may be computed therefore at 50020l.
Secondly by the said 15th Article of the Treaty of Union & by the 15th Act of the last Sessions of the last Parliament of Scotland entitled an Act concerning the payment of the sums, out of the Equivalent, to the African Company there was to be paid to the proprietors & creditors of the said Company principal & interest not exceeding 232884l. 5. 0 4/6. Hereof the Commissioners have paid 207698l. 16. 8 1/6 leaving 25185l. 8. 4 3/6 unpaid. All the goods & effects of the Company are thereupon declared to belong to the Queen & are appropriated by Act of Parliament of Scotland to certain uses as in the Act and to be disposed of by the Commissioners. But these effects consist chiefly in decayed ships & bad debts & it is supposed will amount to a very inconsiderable sum. The Directors have prepared the accounts required & have thereupon been paid the 300l. ordained by the Treaty. They claim a further 500l. for attendance therein for 6 months from May 1 last being a work of greater labour than was expected. This is referred to the Lord Treasurer.
Thirdly by the said 15th Article of Union and by the 16th Act of the last Sessions of the last Parliament in Scotland, entitled an Act concerning the Public Debts, provision is made that 2000l. per an is to be paid for 7 years for promoting the manufacture of coarse wool in those shires which produce the wool. There are no directions as to whom same is to be paid & the Commissioners have made no such payments.
Fourthly by the said 16th Act provision is made for payment of——for the charge of the Commissioners, secretary & accomptants to the last two Treaties of Union conform to the Acts & resolves of Parliament 31 Jan 1707. This Article amounts to 30500l. whereof the Commissioners have paid 27400l. leaving 3100l. unpaid.
The total of all the above items of claims come to 327404l. 6. 10 of which 244229l. 2. 4 is paid leaving 83175l. 4. 6 still to pay.
Fifthly by the said 15th Article & the said 16th Act it is provided that the remainder (to wit 70681l. 3. 2) of the 398085l. 10. 0, after the above 4 articles of claims amounting as above to 327404l. 6. 10, is to be equally divided & one half thereof applied to the payment of the public debts upon the [Scotch] Civil List & the other half to the debts due to the [Scotch] Army, & in case same are insufficient to meet such debts the increase of the Customs & other moneys as in the Treaty are to be applied thereto till the said debts be fully satisfied. Out of the Civil List debts there were first to be paid such as represented her Majesty or Wm. & Mary as their Commissioners [for the two Treaties of Union] for their equipage & daily allowance being a preferred debt on the [Scots] Civil List. This article is paid & amounts to 24736l. 12. 2 4/6. In the second place preference is given to the [Scots] servants of the late King William & Queen Mary & in the third place to pensions & other debts on the [Scots] Civil List since 27 May 1689. The debts in these 2 last classes (besides the Charity Roll which is blank & several other blanks & debts omitted) amount to 90925l. 4. 8 2/6. As to this figure the Commissioners represent that they can do nothing therein till the debts in the second & third class are distinguished & the blanks filled in, & further that if the balance in their hands does not suffice to completely pay these two classes it does not appear to them from the said 16th Act what proportion thereof they are to pay “till the other moneys arising to Scotland coming in shall make up a sum sufficient to answer fully such classes”: and further that the poor on her Majesty's Charity Roll being postponed so far [ahead], there is no probability of their getting any relief this way. “The Commissioners out of compassion to their starving condition gave their promise to represent their case.”
Out of the moiety appointed for payment of the debts to the [Scots] army, preference is given in the first place to Officers' disbursements for clothing; secondly to Officers' salaries remaining unpaid since 27 May 1689; thirdly to Officers' disbursements on subsistence; fourthly for paying off clothing money due to the respective Regiments, Troops or Companies. The debts in these 4 classes (besides several blanks) amount to 107437l. 5. 2 2/3. As to this figure the Commissioners can do nothing until the Treasury Lords of Scotland distinguish the items under the four abovesaid classes & fill in the blanks & certify that there are no other debts under this head. The reason why the Treasury Lords have been unable to give complete lists of either the Civil or the Military debts is the backwardness of the persons concerned in coming in & making good their pretensions. A day should therefore be appointed for closing the lists of claims. Further the Commissioners should be empowered to pay such class in proportion to the money remaining in their hands if the same is insufficient to pay the whole class “as has been represented in the Article of the Civil List.”
Sixthly by the said 16th Act it is provided that the Commissioners, after payment of the above 5 articles, are to pay such public debts as are due by the [Scots] Nation since May 1689 and which fall under neither the Civil nor the Military List.
Thereafter in the seventh place the remainder of the Equivalent & other sums arising to Scotland by the Articles of Union are to be applied wholly towards the encouraging & promoting the fisheries & such other manufactures & improvements in Scotland as may most conduce to the general good of the United Kingdom.
There is no provision in the Articles of Union or in any Act of Parliament for the Commissioners' expenses. Up to date these amount to 1060l. Furthermore the hardships in executing their commission are so great that they are discouraged. By Act of Parliament they are liable in their own persons & estates to all having demands out of the Equivalent & summary proceeding in 6 days is allowed against them. They are also answerable for mistakes & are necessitated to constant attendance to the detriment of their private affairs. All this is without compensation. Therefore pray consideration hereof. Signed by 15 Commissioners as follows: viz W[illiam] Setone [the younger of Pittmedden], Alex[ander] Abercrombie [of Glasough], Jacob Reynardson, Daniell Campbell [of Latter], John Bridges, Ja Houblon Fr Erskine [Sir Jo Erskine of Alva], Mungo Graeme [Grahame of Gorthie], Sir T Burnett [of Leys], [Sir] Alexr Hume, W[illiam] Dalrymple, [Sir] Jno Swinton [of the same], [Sir] Pat[rick] Johnstone, Headelerne [John Hadden of Glenagles], J[ohn] Bruce [of Kinross]. [The names have been badly copied by the clerk from the original signatures.]
Followed by: balance sheet statement of the Equivalent Fund. This statement recapitulates the figures as above showing unpaid items as above totalling 28153l. 14. 5 which exceeds the unexhausted balance of the fund by 152417l. 18. 11 4/6. Out Letters (North Britain) I, pp. 223–9.
Jan. 10. Money warrant for 138l. 18. 0 to Samuell Powell, Serjeant at Arms attending the House of Commons, for disbursements for coals, candles, sweets, mops, brooms & other necessaries provided for the service of the said House between 1706 Dec 3 & 1707 April 24 & also as reward to the messengers for serving orders according to the direction of the said House within said time. Money Book XIX, p. 153. Order Book VII, pp. 97, 102. Disposition Book XIX, p. 93.
Money order for 195l. 8. 4 to Henry Pelham, Clerk of the Pells, for one year to 1707 Xmas on the allowance of 50l. per an for locking up her Majesty's treasure, 100l. per an for attending the Lord High Treasurer, 45l. 8. 8 for his attendance in vacation. Order Book VII, p. 101. Disposition Book XIX, p. 96.
William Lowndes to the Customs Commissioners to report on the enclosed letter from De Waldersee [Matthias Balthasar von Waldersee], Envoy of Denmark, concerning a ship of Dramen, the Catherine dogger, seized in Scotland; together with a letter & representation from the Customs Commissioners of Scotland concerning that matter, in which representation the said Commissioners desire a definition of the term `importation' and a decision as to whether the action of the said dogger amounts to an importation or not.
Appending: (a) Secretary Harley to the Lord Treasurer dated Jan 6 inst enclosing (b)
(b) said letter from De Waldersee dated Jan 5 in French. The said ship in its voyage to Ostend laden with planks & brandy was driven by storms into the Firth of Edinburgh & was seized by Mr. Bruce, Collector of Kirkcaldy, who by enormous chicanery seeks its confiscation.
(c) petition to the Lords of the Exchequer from Irick Bendtzen merchant in Dramen.
(d) answers for Erick Bendzen to the libel of imbezlement at the instance of Mr. Bruce.
(e) The Customs Commissioners of Scotland to William Lowndes dated Edinburgh 1707 Nov 13. Since our last to you of the 6th inst we have received a letter from the port of Irvine complaining of Provost William Cunningham's stopping the ships carrying coals from thence to Ireland for refusing to pay him 3s. 4d. for each cocquet they take out, which he claims as a private right. This shall be particularly inserted in the general report [which is] preparing for the Lord Treasurer. Mr. Jameson left here on the 25th ult on leave as his lady is dangerously ill. We have been with Mr Bruce, collector of Kirkcaldy, at a consultation about the Catherine dogger, Hans Lawson master, lately seized in Largo Bay with 83 buts of brandy on board, pretending to be a Danish vessel & Danish concerns & come in by stress of weather. The Lord Advocate, Sir David Cunningham and the other advocates are of opinion much weight will be laid whether what she did will amount to an importation & with an intention to run prohibited goods, concerning which they seem to be at a loss. By many observations we fear people here are concerned & that they are such as know how to make friends if what she hath done can be deemed to be an importation. We wish a law was made concerning vessels loaden with wine & brandy that come on this coast & hover [such a law that is to say] as is in South Britain for the security of the salt revenue.
(f) a statement of the case as to said dogger. Out Letters (North Britain) I, pp. 209–19.
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