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| 1708–9. Jan. 8. |
Report dated Whitehall to the Lord Treasurer from William Blathwayt as Auditor of the Plantations, on the petition of Micajah Perry in behalf of William Byrd, ut supra, Calendar of Treasury Books, Vol. XXII, p. 464, setting forth the hardship Byrd undergoes in the execution of his office by reason of the difficulty of bringing the money into his hands, which is [realised] by the sale of tobacco in Virginia, wherein her Majesty's revenue there does consist and depends on the effects and proceed of the same in Great Britain, besides the trouble, danger and charge in negotiating bills and returns of money; for all which he only receives 3 per cent. |
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On his being granted the said office I represented to your Lordship that he deserved 4 per cent. allowance instead of 2½ per cent. for which his father had performed the office with the help of other allowances and advances which the son, the present Receiver, was no longer to enjoy. The 4 per cent. allowance would amount to about 240l. per an. according to the usual receipts of 6,000l. But Mr. Perry, the correspondent of Mr. Byrd, insists that the ill condition of the tobacco trade, the precariousness of bills depending thereon and the charge of remittances (for which Byrd is answerable) is at present such that no less than 5 per cent. allowance can suffice for carrying on this service: “which I believe, under the many difficulties aforementioned, may be requisite.” Out Letters (Plantations Auditor) II, pp. 400–1. |
| Jan. 15. |
Money warrant for 25l. to Sir Charles Cottrell, Master of the Ceremonies, for 1707 Xmas quarter, ut supra, p. 59. Money Book XX, p. 35. |
| Jan. 22. |
Report dated Whitehall to the Lord Treasurer from William Blathwayt, as Auditor General of the Plantations, on the memorial of Thomas, Lord Fairfax, proposing in behalf of the Lady Dowager Culpeper, and himself and his wife, that her Majesty would grant him a lease of the Lott and Cope and office of Bergmaster in the wapentake of Wirksworth, Co. Derby, in exchange for an estate of inheritance which they are seized of in the tract of land called the Northern Neck lying between the rivers Rappahannock and Potomac in Virginia. |
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By patent dated St. Germain en Laye 18 Sept. 1660 Charles II. granted to Lord Hopton, the Earl of St. Albans, Lord Culpeper and others all that tract of land in America bounded by the heads of the rivers Rappahannock and Potomac in Virginia for ever, on a yearly payment of 6l. 13s. 4d. to the King and his successors. |
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By letters patent dated 2 May 1671 the said grant was surrendered to his Majesty to the intent that the King would grant to the Earl of St. Albans, Lord Berkeley, Sir William Morton and John Trethewy new letters patent for the same with some alterations for ever at the same rent: which was done accordingly. |
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On the 25th Feb. 1673–4 Charles II. granted to Henry, Earl of Arlington, and Thomas, Lord Culpeper, all that tract of land called Virginia, as it is now understood to extend every way, with all manner of quit rents and profits reserved thereout to the Crown, including the 6l. 13s. 4d. rent payable on the former grant to the Earl of St. Albans et al. of the abovesaid Northern Neck within the boundaries of this general grant: to hold for 31 years from 10 March 1672–3 at the yearly rent of 40l. to his Majesty and his successors. |
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Upon consideration of the very great importance thereof and of the inconveniences accruing thereby to the Crown Charles II. made an agreement with the said Lord Culpeper (in whom the sole right of the said general grant of Virginia was vested) for his surrendering the same in return for an allowance of 600l. per an. out of the Exchequer for 21½ years. |
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By virtue of the said agreement the southern part of Virginia reverted to the Crown with the quit rents thereof, to the great satisfaction of the inhabitants thereof. |
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Some time after the Lord Culpeper, having purchased the sole right to the other part of Virginia, called the Northern Neck, obtained a new patent from James II. dated 27 Sept. 1688 for that territory for ever at the yearly rent of 6l. 13s. 4d. per an. payable as formerly. |
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This territory the Lady Culpeper and Lord Fairfax and his wife in right of Lord Culpeper now offer to exchange for a grant of the Lott and Cope &c. as above. I have not been able to inform myself of the value of said Lott and Cope &c. But as to the lands in Virginia nothing can be more acceptable to her Majesty's subjects there than that this large territory be wholly vested in her Majesty by the surrender of the present grant which will put an end to great controversies that do frequently arise between the aforesaid proprietors and the people of that country and to divers other inconveniences that are no less obvious. |
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I have desired Lord Fairfax to furnish me with the present rent rolls and other information that may be necessary towards giving your Lordship a more precise calculation or estimate requisite for making such an exchange. But I have not been able to procure the same, his Lordship and his agents being not provided therewith. The extent of land in question may be computed at about one fourth part of all the rest of Virginia (the quit rents whereof, with the growing improvements, may be valued at 1,200l. per an., all charges deducted), so that I conceive this particular tract may be estimated at 300l. per an., besides the great benefit which will accrue to the public and the tobacco trade in those parts. However, as in a matter of so much uncertainty, it may be for her Majesty's service that a sufficient survey be taken of this territory or an estimate thereof made upon the place. I humbly offer that the Governor or the President and Council in Virginia and the General Assembly be required to return to your Lordship an account of the true value of these lands for a purchase, for bringing the inhabitants of this district under the like acknowledgment [of fealty] and Regulations as the rest of the Dominion of Virginia, which will be most gratefully accepted there. Out Letters (Plantations Auditor) II, pp. 402–5. |
| Jan. |
Subscription by Treasurer Godolphin of a Lord Chamberlain's warrant to the Great Wardrobe for furniture [not detailed] for the Music Room at St. James's: to an estimate of 56l. Warrants not Relating to Money XX, p. 382. |
| Feb. 2. |
Report to the Lord Treasurer from William Blathwayt, as Auditor General of the Plantations, on the Representation dated Whitehall 7 Jan. 1708–9 from the Lords Commissioners of Trade and Plantations to the Queen in Council relating to incroachments made on the Colony of Virginia by the Proprietory Government of Carolina the said Order in Council having been referred to said Blathwayt by the Lord Treasurer Jan. 26 last, supra, p. 67. On the said representation being approved in Council the Privy Council thought it necessary to settle the bounds between Virginia and Carolina and ordered that the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations do propose to the Proprietors of Carolina the issuing such a commission to perform same and that the Lord Treasurer consider how to meet the cost of such commission, viz. whether out of the quit rents of Virginia or other revenue of that Colony. |
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Hereon Blathwayt reports that her Majesty has no other revenue within her disposal in this Colony than her quit rents. As this Commission tends to the improvement and increase thereof the charge may be fitly borne by the quit rents to an amount not exceeding 100l. for the commission and 200l. for contingencies thereof. |
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Prefixing: (1) William Lowndes's letter of Jan. 26 inst. to report on the said Order in Council. |
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(2) Copy of said Order in Council dated St. James's 13 January 1708–9 (see Calendar of State Papers, America, 1706–8, p. 764) made on reading said representation of 7 Jan. 1708–9 based upon a letter from the President of the Council of Virginia. In their said representation the Commissioners for Trade state that for several years past there have been frequent disputes between those two Governments about their bounds and that of late those disputes are much increased, Virginia affirming that North Carolina (as mentioned in their charter) is bounded by Weyanoak Creek, whereas the Government of Carolina pretend to carry their bounds to Nottoway River upon a suggestion that Weyanoak Creek and the said river are one and the same place. Depositions have been taken to support their respective claims and persons appointed to view those boundaries and several transactions have passed between the two Governments of Virginia and Carolina, but without any success hitherto, notwithstanding the reasonable advances which seem to have been made for that purpose by the Government of Virginia. |
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These disputes are like to continue till the bounds are settled and meanwhile the subjects of Virginia, who by the laws and constitutions of that Colony have a right to take out patents for lands lying in that part of the Colony, will be great sufferers by being debarred of their right and the Crown will lose a considerable increase of quit rents. The tract of land contains several thousands of acres, besides that under colour of this claim the Moherine [Mohican] Indians (who are tributary to and by treaty ought to have the protection of the Government of Virginia) have been fallen upon and in an hostile manner threatened to be dispossessed of their settlements by some of the inhabitants of North Carolina, tending to an open rupture of those Indians who will no longer continue tributary than they find themselves protected. |
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As the making of grants of lands lying on the south side of Black-water Swamp and elsewhere, in the manner and on the terms the same were made, has been judged a lessening of your Majesty's revenue and not so beneficial as might be to that Colony, in 1705 a particular Instruction was given to Col. Nott, the then Governor, which Instruction was afterwards communicated to the Council there, and some difficulties arising upon it the said Governor forbore to make any grants of lands till your Majesty's further pleasure were known therein. |
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In 1707 the like Instruction was renewed to Col. Hunter, the present Governor: but he falling into the hands of the enemy as he was going to that Government, and continuing still a prisoner in France, the President of Virginia (in whom with advice and consent of the Council the power of granting lands does reside in the absence of the Governor) has forborne to make any grants of land till your Majesty's further pleasure be declared: which gives occasion to several subjects of Virginia taking grants of those contested lands upon easy terms from the Government of Carolina, though they would much rather take them from your Majesty were they allowed so to do. |
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We therefore think it absolutely necessary that the bounds between Virginia and Carolina be settled by Commissioners and in case of delay the final determination thereof to be submitted to your Majesty. |
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The cost of this service should reasonably be defrayed by those two countries. But under their present circumstances from the decay of the tobacco trade the inhabitants of Virginia will look upon it as a hardship. We therefore submit that your Majesty allow a certain sum out of quit rents towards the charge thereof, as the Duty of 2s. per hogshead is already burdened by other payments. As to the patenting of lands in Virginia we submitted to the Council of Virginia an Instruction [missing] containing a proposal for a new method to be observed in passing such grants. In answer thereto the said Council affirmed that the method proposed therein is contrary to their charter and the laws of the Colony and contrary to express agreements with several of the purchasers of lands and further that the terms of purchase prescribed therein are impracticable and that no person will take up lands upon such hard terms while there is land to be had at much easier rates in the neighbouring Proprietary Government of Carolina. “for which purpose 'tis said great numbers of people have lately removed and others are removing thither.” Wherefore we advise that the Governor and Council be directed to make grants of lands lying on the south side of Blackwater Swamp or elsewhere in the form as by the charter and laws of Virginia before the said Instruction given to Col. Nott. |
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The Privy Council hereby approve the above Representation from the Commissioners of Trade and order them to propose to the Proprietors of Carolina the issuing of such a boundary commission and that the apportioning of the charge thereof be referred to the Treasury as above. Out Letters (Plantations Auditor) II, pp. 406–13. |
| Feb. 11. |
Report dated Whitehall to the Lord Treasurer from William Blathwayt, as Auditor General of the Plantations, on the petition of the Visitors and Governors of the College of William and Mary in Virginia, praying an assistance out of quit rents towards the rebuilding of the said College, which was unhappily burned to ashes in Oct. 1705; said petition having been referred to Blathwayt Nov. 3 last, supra, Calendar of Treasury Books, Vol. XXII, p. 427. Hereon Blathwayt recites the letters patent of 4 Wm. and Mary and that in accordance therewith the sum of 1,985l. 14s. 10d. sterling was paid out of quit rents there. As to the present state of the quit rents, the account to April 1708 shows a balance of 191l. 8s. 10¾d. in the hands of the Receiver General thereof after payment of 2,060l. 12s. 4¾d. (which is now actually remitted into England pursuant to the Queen's order) and the payment of 1,418l. 5s. 0d. to Col. Hunter for his losses at sea and 500l. for one year's allowance to said Col. Hunter until his arrival in Virginia. |
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One year with another the revenue of quit rents (the usual charges deducted) may amount to 1,200l. per an. If her Majesty grant 500l. thereout for the first year and the other growing revenues belonging to the said College amounting to about 300l. per an. “together with other gifts and contributions that may be obtained for so good a work” the fitting preparation may be made for erecting the same: and the proceedings therein being laid before her Majesty next year she may be moved to enlarge this grant as the nature of the work may require. (For the royal warrant hereon for 500l. for the College out of Virginia Quit Rents see supra, pp. 106–7.) Ibid., pp. 413–17, 417b–19. |
| 1709 [1708–9]. Feb. 19. |
Royal letters patent under the seal appointed by the Union to be used in Scotland appointing James, Duke of Montrose, to be Keeper of the Privy Seal in Scotland, with the salary of 2,000l. per an.: loco James, Duke of Queensberry, whose patent for same is hereby revoked. Out Letters (North Britain) II, p. 37. |
| 1708–9. March 18. |
Treasury reference to the Excise Commissioners of the petition of John Apthorpe shewing that he was concerned in the trade of sweet [wine] making for eleven years and paid considerable Duties: that upon the Excise Commissioners promising him all due encouragement for detecting the several frauds therein he proposed remedies for same: that he is ready to make appear that the Duties arising by the said sweet making ought to be 5,000l. per an., but through ignorance or otherwise her Majesty hath received no more than 300l. per an.: therefore prays some employment in the Excise. Reference Book VIII, p. 360. |
| March 31. |
Subscription by Treasurer Godolphin of a Lord Chamberlain's warrant dated 1708 Sept. 27 to the Master of the Great Wardrobe for repairs to the furniture at Hampton Court, Kensington and St. James's: viz. tables, stands &c. to be new polished: to a total estimate of 20l. Warrants not Relating to Money XX, p. 361. |
| April 14. |
Warrant by same to the Excise Commissioners to allow 19l. 6s. 8d. to Thomas Jordan, late Collector of Duties on Malt, for his expenses in prosecuting John White for bills which he failed to meet. |
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Prefixing: said Commissioners' report on said Jordan's petition. Ibid., pp. 371–2. |
| April 16. |
Subscription by same of a Lord Chamberlain's warrant dated April 13 to the Master of the Great Wardrobe for umbrellas for St. James's Chapel: to be delivered out of the Removing Wardrobe to an estimate of 14l. Ibid., p. 361. |
| April 20. |
Treasurer Godolphin to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to report on the enclosed petition [missing] of Hannah Griffith, widow of Thomas Griffith, late Collector of Sligo, praying a pension of 60l. per an. in consideration of her husband's losses and services. Out Letters (Ireland) IX, p. 88. |
| May 3. |
Warrant dormant by Treasurer Godolphin to the Customs Commissioners to pay the salary of 40s. per an. to Hugh Boulton in respect of his office as Searcher of Boston port. Money Book XX, p. 227. |
| June 13. |
Circular letter dated Whitehall from William Blathwayt, as Auditor General of the Plantations, to his several and respective Deputies as follows. The Customs Commissioners [of England] conceive that her Majesty's One Third of Seizures and Personal Informations as also Forfeited Bonds ought to be accompted for to their Office [in London]. They have sent me the enclosed letter desiring me to transmit to them an accompt of all moneys received upon such Seizures and Forfeitures in any of her Majesty's Plantations in America. But as I find that in the accompts of her Majesty's revenue arising in — such Forfeitures are not always distinctly expressed but accompted for in one general head instead of being more particularised I desire you to send me a distinct accompt thereof so that I may give the said Commissioners a satisfactory answer. |
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[This letter was sent respectively to] |
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Isaac Addington [Deputy Auditor for] Massachusetts Bay. |
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George Clark [Deputy Auditor for] New York. |
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William Bladen [Deputy Auditor for] Maryland. |
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Dudley Diggs [Deputy Auditor for] Virginia. |
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Leonard Compere [Deputy Auditor for] Jamaica. |
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Samuel Barwick [Deputy Auditor for] Barbados. |
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Tho. Kerby [Deputy Auditor for] Leeward Islands. |
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Appending: copy of said letter to Blathwayt from the Customs Commissioners dated Custom House, London, 26 March 1709, desiring an accompt of the money received for the Crown on the abovesaid heads in the Plantations “of which you have had any cognizance from the Governors, naval officers, your deputies or others concerned.” Out Letters (Plantations Auditor) II, p. 421. |
| July 2. |
Subscription by Treasurer Godolphin for the execution of a Lord Chamberlain's warrant dated May 11 last to the Master of the Jewel Office to deliver to Sir John Holland, Comptroller of her Majesty's Household, of the usual allowance of 1,000 ounces of white plate. Warrants not Relating to Money XXI, p. 3. |
| Aug. 10. |
Treasury reference to the Excise Commissioners of the petition of Charles Parry, late collector of Excise at Reading, shewing that he returned 100l. by one Benj. Child by bill drawn on the Excise Commissioners, but before the bill was answered the said Child proved bankrupt and Child's effects are seized by the Receiver [General of Taxes] for Berks, who is before petitioner, so that only 11l. 16s. 0d. has been recovered [by petitioner] on an extent: therefore praying that the remainder may be allowed in petitioner's accounts. Reference Book VIII, p. 377. |
| Aug. 24. |
Treasurer Godolphin to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to report on the petition of Frederick Trench praying payment of a third part of the neat proceed of the ship Providence and her goods amounting to 488l., which was seized by William Woods, deceased, late Surveyor at Ringsend in Ireland (whose daughter he [Trench] married), petitioner having been serviceable to the Crown in carrying several packets in the late war between Dublin and Holyhead and the said Woods having designed the said sum as a portion for his daughter. Out Letters (Ireland) IX, p. 128. |
| Sept. 20. |
Money order for 1,848l. 4s. 4d. to Samuel Edwyn, Usher of the Receipt, for necessaries by him delivered to the Offices of the Receipt in Michaelmas and Hilary terms 1707. Order Book VII, p. 397. Disposition Book XX, p. 135. |
| Sept. 27. |
See the money warrant, supra, p. 372, for 87l. 6s. 4½d. to Walter Clarke. The Letter of Disposition on this warrant is dated 26 Oct. 1709 (Disposition Book XX, p. 69). Without any explanation it is repeated on the 11th November 1709 Ibid. XXI, p. 7). See also infra, Vol. XXIV, under date 1710 Nov. 11. |
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Treasurer Godolphin to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to report on the petition of Thomas Carr, Cursitor or Clerk and Engrosser General of all Original Writs issuing out of the High Court of Chancery in Ireland, praying some consideration for the loss he sustains in the profits of his said office by the late Acts of Parliament for preventing the further growth of Popery in the said kingdom [Irish Act 2 Anne, Sess. 1, c. 6] and for recovery of debts in the country by Civil Bills [Irish Act, 9 Wm. III., Sess. 1, c. 40]. Out Letters (Ireland) IX, p. 133. |
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Same to same to report on the petition of Lieut. William Brown et al., officers of Col. St. John's Regiment that served in the late wars in Ireland, alledging [themselves] to have been deprived for some time of half pay upon an information that they refused to serve her Majesty abroad; and praying to be restored thereto upon their making appear their innocence as to the said charge. Ibid.
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| Oct. 6. |
Treasurer Godolphin's allowance of the Stamp Office salary bill for last Sept. 29 quarter: total 1,330l. Money Book XX, p. 55. |
| Nov. 9. |
Entry of a Treasury caveat in behalf of the Duke of Norfolk that before any grant pass of the forfeited estate of Thomas Patching in Sussex his Grace may have notice thereof. Notice to be given to James Pearse at the Exchequer Office in the Inner Temple. Caveat Book, p. 62. |
| Nov. 10. |
Report to the Lord Treasurer from William Blathwayt, Auditor of the Plantations, on the petition of William Byrd praying a confirmation of a grant made to him by Col. Parks, Governor of the Leeward Islands, of a plantation or parcel of land there near Cayon Hills in the French Quarter of St. Christopher, commonly known by the name of the Castle Plantation, and containing about 305 acres, ut supra, p. 411. |
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By royal letter patent dated 1705 Nov. 30 the Queen permitted the said Governor to make grants, not exceeding 2½ years, of any part of said island taken from the French. The said Governor made a grant of the herein premises on the 25 Oct. 1707 for three years (which is six months longer than directed as above). It may be confirmed for the residue of the time limited by her Majesty, which will then determine 25 April next, and an additional term of two years may be granted, “which will prolong the said grant to April 1712” to encourage him to go on with the improvement he has begun of the said plantation. [For the Lord Treasurer's confirmation of said grant hereon see supra, p. 476.] Out Letters (Plantations Auditor) III, pp. 1–2. |
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Same to same from same on the petition of Daniel Stoner of the island of St. Christopher, who prays a confirmation of a grant made to him for three years by the abovesaid Col. Parks of a Plantation of about 150 acres in the French quarter of Basse Terre, formerly belonging to Messrs. Bonmeer and Michell, ut supra, p. 411. |
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The grant in question was made 30 Nov. 1705 for three years. It may be confirmed as above to end on April 24 next and a further grant of two years may be made to end in April 1712, to encourage him &c., ut supra. [For the Lord Treasurer's confirmation of said grant hereon see supra, p. 476.] Ibid., pp. 3–4. |
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Same to same from same on a petition of Julius Cæsar Parks for the like confirmation of a grant made to him by Col. Parks of a plantation known as Pont se Bien's Plantation, together with the Carmelites, Malteres and Laresiers Plantations in the Basse Terre Quarter of said island, ut supra, p. 411. |
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The said grant was dated 8 Dec. 1708 for three years. It may be confirmed, as above, to expire 8 June 1711 and renewed for one year more to expire in June 1712: as a means to encourage him &c. as above. [For the Lord Treasurer's confirmation of said grant hereon see supra, pp. 475–6.] Ibid., pp. 4–5. |
| Nov. 17. |
Deputation signed and sealed on this day by William Blathwayt, as Auditor General of the Plantations, to Peter Heywood, Esq., to be his Deputy Auditor of her Majesty's revenue in Jamaica. Out Letters (Plantations Auditor) III, p. 7. |
| Nov. 19. |
Report to the Lord Treasurer from William Blathwayt, as Auditor General of the Plantations, on the petition of Michael Lambert, Esq., Lieutenant Governor of St. Christophers, for confirmation of a grant of a plantation of 297 acres of manurable land in the French part of said island adjoining to Monkey Hill near the town of Basse Terre, ut supra, p. 387. |
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The grant made to him by Col. Parks in consideration of petitioner's good services and great losses in the late invasion of those islands by the French was dated 24 Oct. 1707 for three years, being six months longer than directed by the Queen's warrant of 30 Nov. 1705. It may be confirmed to determine April 24 next and renewed for two years more to expire in April 1712. [The confirmation of this grant is not entered. But a second confirmation dated 7 May 1712 is entered in the Queen's Warrant Book. See this entry under that date in Vol. XXVI of the present Calendar.] Ibid., pp. 6–7. |
| Nov. 26. |
Allowance by Treasurer Godolphin of the incidents bill, not detailed, of the Post Office for 1709 Michaelmas quarter: total 928l. 12s. 3d. Money Book XX, p. 79. |
| Dec. 22. |
See the money warrant, supra, p. 464, for 28l. 4s. 5½d. to William Fausset. (The money order hereon is dated 10 Feb. 1709–10 and bears a later confirmation dated 15 Aug. 1710.) Order Book VII, p. 454. |
| Dec. 23. |
Money order for 298l. 13s. 6d. to Sir Michael Heneage, Usher of the Exchequer Court, 295l. 19s. 4d. thereof for necessaries by him delivered to the officers of said Court and 2l. 14s. 2d. for diet for himself for 130 days 1709 Aug. 12 to Dec. 20 at 5d. a day. Ibid., p. 454. |
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Letter of disposition for 50l. to Amias Hext. Disposition Book XX, p. 87. |
| Dec. 28. |
Money order for 50l. to Anthony Hodges for one quarter to 1709 Oct. 10 on his allowance as Lieut. Governor of Montserrat. |
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50l. to John Yeomans for one quarter to same date on his same as Lieut. Governor of Antigua. |
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50l. to Walter Hamilton for one quarter due 1709 Nov. 9 on his same as Lieut. Governor of St. Christopher. Order Book VII, pp. 384–5. |
