Treasury Books and Papers: May 1731

Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 2, 1731-1734. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1898.

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'Treasury Books and Papers: May 1731', in Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 2, 1731-1734, ed. William A Shaw( London, 1898), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books-papers/vol2/pp50-64 [accessed 23 November 2024].

'Treasury Books and Papers: May 1731', in Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 2, 1731-1734. Edited by William A Shaw( London, 1898), British History Online, accessed November 23, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books-papers/vol2/pp50-64.

"Treasury Books and Papers: May 1731". Calendar of Treasury Books and Papers, Volume 2, 1731-1734. Ed. William A Shaw(London, 1898), , British History Online. Web. 23 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-treasury-books-papers/vol2/pp50-64.

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May 1731

May 4.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
142. Present:—Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Clayton, Mr. Dodington, Sir Wm. Yonge.
Mr. Conduitt is called in about the charges of works and buildings at the Mint, amounting to 5,647l. 3s. besides a reward to the surveyor. To attend again on Thursday next to satisfy their Lordships how that sum may be paid, as the Act of 18 Chas. II. restrains the whole charge of the Mint, buying gold and silver excepted, to a sum not exceeding 3,000l. per annum.
Mr. Lowther, out of the King's money in his hands, is to defray the fees for the 8,670l. 6s. 7d. ordered to be issued at the Exchequer out of the late King's arrears, to clear the late Prince Charles of Denmark on his annuity.
Order for preparation of a sign manual for issuing 4,330l. to Wm. Richards to reimburse expenses for special services performed to his Majesty.
The King is pleased to declare that the Guard-houses at Hampton Court shall be repaired by the Officers of the Works. The necessary order issued on the petition of the Majors of the Foot Guards to the Board of Works accordingly.
The King agrees that Mr. Samuel Scot, Consul at Majorca, have a salary of 150?l. per annum out of the ecclesiastical revenues of Minorca.
Order for preparation of a sign manual for the issue of 604l. 13s. 6d. to Wm. Richards to answer a bill of exchange drawn by the Earl of Chesterfield from Holland, 1731, April 9, for 6,540 florins, payable to Messrs. Gerhard and Van Neck or order, for special disbursements for His Majesty's service.
The like for 970l. to answer a bill of exchange drawn by Mr. Peter Butler, who resides at Sallee, on Rear Admiral Cavendish, payable to Mr. Solomon Merret, merchant in London, for said Butler's expenses in procuring the releasement and restitution of some British vessels taken by the Sallee rovers last summer, and of all the persons that were on board them.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVII. p. 19.]
May 4. 143. J. Scrope to Nicholas Paxton authorising expenditure as below, prayed for in a memorial of 1730–1, February 25, from Nicholas Paxton to the Lords of the Treasury:—
For prosecution, in accordance with the letter of the Secretaries of State, of Richard Franklin, Ann Dod, Elizabeth Nutt, and Ann Smith, alias Pearce, for printing and publishing two most seditious libels, intituled “the Country Journal, or the Craftsman,” dated the 2nd and 9th days of January last; and John White and Samuel Farley, for printing and publishing the “Newcastle Courant” and “Farley's Bristol Newspaper,” in both which the “Craftsman” of 2nd January is reprinted; and also Charles Davis, Thomas Warner, and Elizabeth Nutt, for publishing a scandalous and seditious libel, intituled “The Divine Catastrophe of the Kingly Family of the Stewarts.
Item, for the discharge from the several Courts of Westminster Hall and the Marshalsea of the following, being servants to ambassadors, &c.:—
Jacob Alvarez, servant to the French Ambassador;
Wm. Fitzgerald, servant to the Envoy from the Elector Palatine;
John Norris, servant to the Envoy from the Duke of Brunswick Wolfenbüttel;
and to prosecute persons concerned in making such arrests; and Wm. Fox and others for insults and affronts offered to Mons. Hopman, Resident from the Duke of Mecklenburg.
Item, getting copies of the proceedings relating to Peter Bettesworth, M.A. and Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, indicted before the Justices of Assize at Oxford for an assault, of which the Chancellor of Oxford has claimed cognizance under several Acts of Parliament and letters patent, by which means the matter remains undetermined; Mr. Attorney General, apprehending the right of the Crown greatly concerned in that matter.
Item, for prosecuting several persons at Norwich for publishing a seditious libel, intituled “The Duke of Wharton's Reasons for Leaving the Kingdom,” &c.; and also one Thomas Franks, alias Franco, for taking upon him the office of His Majesty's Courier General, and, under colour thereof, imposing on several of His Majesty's subjects.
[Letter Book XIX. pp. 39–40.]
May 4. 144. Royal warrant to the Attorney or Solicitor General for preparation of a bill pass the Great Seal for the grant to Sir Joseph Eyles, Kt, Jonathan Perrie, John Drummond, and Thomas Watts, of a certain tract of land in the province of New York in America, containing about 62,000 acres, commonly called the Equivalent Land, so called as having been formerly taken from the colony of Connecticut in lieu of the like quantity yielded to that colony by the province of New York, upon the settling of their respective boundaries; said tract being situated between the ancient easterly bounds of New York upon the mainland and the present westerly bounds of Connecticut, bounded towards the north by the south line of the colony of Massachusetts Bay at about 20 miles distance from Hudson river, running parallel with that river, and to the southward by the colony of Connecticut; said tract never having been granted to any person by the Crown, and promising favourably for the production of hemp, pitch and other naval stores, and being well situated for a fur trade with the Indian nations in that neighbourhood. The grantees to pay a quit rent of 2s. 6d. per 100 acres. The bill to contain grant of mines, minerals, and veins of saltpetre, with a royalty of one sixth of all saltpetre, and one tenth of all minerals. Other covenants to be as in a grant made to Viscount Cornbury, 2nd Queen Anne of mines in the counties of Ulster and Albany in New York.
In grantees' petition for above grant, on behalf of themselves and other merchants of London, grantees undertake to settle 100 persons in the territory in the space of 10 years, and to increase same from time to time. [Crown Lease Book II. pp. 210–1.]
May 5. 145. Memorial of John Conduitt to the Lords of the Treasury on their Lordships' objection to pay for the rebuilding the mill rooms at the Mint, on account of a clause in the Coinage Act of 18 Chas. II. Recites sections 9 and 10 of that Act, and also subsequent Acts, 4 Anne, c. 22, and 7 Anne, and 1 Geo. c. 43, to show that the clause, limiting the expenditure to 3,500l. has always been construed to relate only to repairing and not to rebuilding. In 1696 and 1697, 9,000l. was expended in building. Of the 3,500l. nearly 3,000l. is appropriated to salaries, and if there were no power to exceed that sum for building purposes many provisions of Parliament for the coinage would be rendered ineffectual by the ruinous and dangerous condition of the old mill room, which was kept up only by props, and could not serve any longer. Mint Office, 5 May 1731. 2½ pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCLXXVI. No. 1.]
May 5. 146. Certificate signed by Thomas Sanderson, Deputy Receiver in the Alienation Office, of the receipts in the Alienation Office for two months ending April 30 last, and of arrears on the last account ending February 28, 1730–1. 1 page. [Ibid, No. 2.]
May 5. 147. Memorial from the majors of His Majesty's regiments of Foot Guards, complaining that the guard rooms belonging to them at Hampton Court are in so ruinous a condition that there is no lodging for the field officers, and that the Board of Ordnance refuse to repair them.
Underwritten:—With an order from the Treasury to the Board of Works, directing repairs of the guard rooms at Hampton Court “to be expedited so as the guards may not be disappointed when they come on duty there,” the King having so declared his pleasure. [Lord Chamberlain's Warrant Book I. p. 349.]
May 6. Whitehall, Treasury Chambers. 148. Present:—Mr.Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Dodington, Sir Geo. Oxenden, Mr. Clayton, Sir Wm. Yonge.
Mr. Conduitt called in and the representation of the officers of the Mint of 1731, April 22, read concerning the charges and expenses for the buildings and repairs lately made there, as also Conduitt's representation of the 5th instant to answer objections made against the payment of the said charges upon construction of the Acts of Parliament by which the coinage duties are continued. Their Lordships are of opinion the said charges may be lawfully paid, and order the proper warrant to be prepared for the Master of the Mint to pay 5,571l. 15s. out of the moneys for coinage duties out of the Treasury of the Mint, and 354l. 12s. out of the profits arising by the copper coinage, on bills to be examined and attested under the hand of Roger Morris, who was employed in designing and surveying said works.
The Commissioners of Excise to hasten their report on the letter some time since sent to them about Mr. Spry of Launceston.
“My Lords would be informed whether the Savoy in the Strand, and the rents there with other the rents and revenues belonging to the late dissolved hospital be within the survey or claim of the Duchy of Lancaster.”
[Treasury Minute Book XXVII. p. 20.]
May 6. 149. Warrant from the Lords of the Treasury for the execution of a royal sign manual, dated St. James's, May 5, ordering the payment out of the arrears of the Civil List revenues of George I. of 8,670l. 6s. 7d. for the discharge of the sum due and in arrear at the death of George I. to Prince Charles of Denmark, lately deceased, on an annuity of 4,000l. allowed him towards compensating the damage and loss sustained by him in quitting, for the good of the common cause, all his pretensions to the bishoprie of Eutin. [King's Warrant Book XXX. p. 205.]
May 10. 150. (a.) Bond of security given by the Bank of England, sealed by order of the Court of Directors, in 500,000l. for the faithful and proper accounting of Thomas Madockes, Josiah Odams, Joseph Collier, and James Collier, appointed by the Lords of the Treasury receivers of the moneys to be advanced on the Act of last session for raising 800,000l. by lottery.
(b.) Same given by Madockes, Odams, and Joseph and James Collier, in 80,000l. for the like obligation. 2 sheets.
[Treasury Board Papers CCLXXVI. No. 3.]
May 11. Whitehall, Treasury Chambers. 151. Present:—Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Clayton, Sir Wm. Yonge.
The Act for the present lottery for 800,000l. having directed that the contribution money for the tickets therein should be paid at such times as the Lords of the Treasury should appoint, their Lordships agree that one moiety be paid on or before 1731, June 1, and the other moiety on or before 1731, August 20. Notification thereof to be affixed upon the Royal Exchange, and to be printed with a continuation in the “London Gazette” and some other of the public papers which are chiefly called for.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVII. p. 21.]
May 11. 152. Order from the Treasury for the execution of a warrant from the Duke of Grafton to the Duke of Montagu for the delivery to the sergeant of His Majesty's chapel of certain Bibles, Common Prayer Books, and furniture, detailed, for the use of His Majesty's chapel at Hampton Court.
[Lord Chamberlain's Warrant Book I. pp. 349–50.]
153. Same from same for execution of same from same to same for the delivery to Grey Maynard, yeoman of the removing wardrobe, of furniture, detailed, for His Majesty's service at St. James's, including a wainscot flap table for the Prince of Wales, new tickin for 4 umbrellas for Mrs. Meadow's and Mrs Cartwright's lodgings at St. James's. In the Duke's apartments at St. James's, a new glass to the door of a ship case and new hinge; also to give orders for repairing the throne, chairs, footstools, and woolpacks in the House of Lords and the hangings about the doors, and to new cover the bar in the Painted Chamber with green baize, and to clean and repair the tapestry hangings and to new line them in some places; to repair several seats, the Speaker's chair and cushion in the House of Commons, and to fix up at Kensington a 4 post crimson camlet bed.
Memorandum:—Signed and dated as above. The particulars of this warrant will come to 116l. or thereabouts.
[Ibid, pp. 350–1.]
May 11. 154. Treasury order for execution of a warrant from the Duke of Grafton to the Duke of Montagu for the delivery of furniture for His Majesty's service at St. James's, and the Queen's Presence and Privy Chamber, including curtains for Mr. Brinkman and Mrs. Kemp's bedchamber, and repairs for Mrs. Frowlin.
Memorandum:—Dated and signed as above. This warran will come to 51l. or thereabouts.
[Lord Chamberlain's Warrant Book p. 351.]
May 13. 155. Warrant from the Treasury, on a report of the Commissioners of the Customs, dated 1731, April 30, deputing John Elliot to be collector and searcher at Brunswick, on Cape Fair River, North Carolina, with an allowance of 60l. per annum for himself, and to keep a boat and two able negro men, to be approved by the Surveyor General. The bounds of his district to be that of New Hanover precinct. The appointment to be placed on the Plantation establishment. [Custom Book XIII. p. 193.]
May 13. 156. Same from same confirming articles of agreement between the King and Henry Lewin of the island of St. Christopher, merchant, for the purchase of 5,082 square feet in Basse Terre Town.
Prefixing:—The articles of agreement.
[Crown Lease Book II. p. 260–2.]
157. Same from same confirming same between the King and Dame Frances Stapleton, of the city of London, widow, for the purchase of 50 acres in Basse Terre Quarter, St. Christopher.
Prefixing:—Articles of agreement. [Ibid, pp. 212–3.]
May 13. 158. Order from same for the execution of a warrant from the Duke of Grafton to the Duke of Montagu, for the delivery to the seven hautbois of His Majesty's 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, each a coat of crimson cloth lined with blue serge, trimmed with broad and narrow gold arras lace and the sleeves faced with blue cloth, one pair of crimson cloth breeches, a crimson cloth cloak faced with blue serge and laced round the cape with a narrow gold arras lace, one leather belt stitched and laced with gold, one cordebec hat trimmed with gold, a gold band and a velvet cap.
Memorandum:—This warrant will come to 186l. or thereabouts, 1731, May 12. Tho. Dummer. John Halls, comptroller.
[Lord Chamberlain's Warrant Book I. p. 352.]
May 13. Whitehall, Treasury Chambers. 159. Present—Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Geo. Oxenden, Mr. Dodington, Mr. Clayton.
Order for preparation of a warrant to be signed by the King for allowing the overpayments in Ireland upon the head of concordatums, for the year ended 1731, Lady Day, according to the Duke of Dorset's desire.
Order for preparation of a sign manual for 1,000l. to Thomas Robinson, Esq. His Majesty's Minister at Vienna, to recompense his service in negotiating the late treaty there, and to be issued in the name of Mr. Leheup.
Same for a sign manual for 1,000l. in the name of John Wace without account, to answer bills of exchange drawn for His Majesty's special service.
The Commissioners of Victualling to apply 2,000l. out of the 2,957l. 14s. 8d. remaining in the hands of their cashier for short allowance money not at present wanted, and to apply same to meet bills of exchange. Also to issue at the Exchequer to the Treasurer of the Navy 2,000l. for necessary money, short beer money and contingencies.
The Commissioners for the Land Tax to attend on Thursday next with all certificates and papers necessary for settling the nominations for the receivers for this year's land tax. Said Commissioners' report on the petitions of Wilkinson and Sparry to be then brought in.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Chamber of 1,586l. 18s. 6d. to satisfy the bills and warrants charged on him for 1731, Lady Day quarter.
Same for 6,638l. 4s.d. to the Paymaster of the Works, to clear off the debt in that office for the same quarter.
A petition in the name of Hector Monro setting forth the services of his father, Henry Monro, in Ireland, and the great arrears due to him, and praying a pension on the military establishment, read. Their Lordships can do nothing therein.
“Mr. Paxton is to take care that if the proclamation reward for apprehending … for street robberies be certified, and the payment thereof demanded of him, he refuse to pay same.”.
The Attorney General's report of 1731, April 13, read, on Richard Bedwell's petition for an Exchequer lease of an estate in Essex, escheated by the attainder of John Blandford and first discovered by Bedwell.
Charles Campbell of Witham, to be land surveyor at Wigtown in case Wm. Weemys, the late surveyor, is dead.
Wm. Sampson's petition for the proclamation reward of 300l. for apprehending Paul Bromhead, of Lincolnshire, an incendiary, referred to Mr. Paxton for report.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVII. pp. 22–3.]
May 14. 160. Charles Carkesse to John Scrope, concerning William Robinson's representation of complaint against the officers of Newcastle. 2 pages.
Appending:
—(a.) Letter of William Robinson to the Lords of the Treasury, dated Newcastle 1731, April 16, containing information of clandestine practices in that port. 2 pages.
(b.) Extract of a letter from Mr. Kettleby, collector of Berwick, dated 1728, December 26, concerning Robinson's two informations. 2½ pages.
(c.)Letter of Alfred Lawson and John Holme, officers of the Custom House, Newcastle, to the Commissioners of the Customs, London, concerning Robinson's information against the “Anna,” of Newcastle, Wm. Errington, master. 1 page.
(d.)An account of several thefts committed by Wm. Robinson, late an extraordinary tidesman in Newcastle port, certified by John Bayles and John Banks. 1¼ pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCLXXVI. No. 5.]
May 14. 161. Report from the Commissioners of the Customs, Edinburgh, to the Lords of the Treasury, concerning the duties on silk used in manufactures at Glasgow. Have never heard of any silk manufactory of moment being carried on at Glasgow. About six months since there was a weaver who set up at Glasgow and made a few silk plaids, but he soon went off. The manufactured silks and stuffs of silk made of raw long silk, bounty on the exportation of which is not disputed, come mostly from London. The rugs or coverlets made of the coarsest refuse or nubs of silk are chiefly manufactured at Kendal and Norwich. The duty inwards of the former kind of silk, i.e. raw long silk, is 1s. 52/20d. per lb. of 24 oz. The duty of silk nubs or husks of silk of which the last-named manufactory is made, comes to no more than 38/20d. per lb. of 21 oz. “Yet your Lordships will observe that the bounty claimed upon both is equal, viz. 3s. per lb. weight, and that in the latter the bounty is about 14 times greater than the duty.” The claims for the drawback or bounty on the debentures for the said rugs or coverlets are
£ s. d.
For 7,6677/8 lbs. weight exported from Greenock - 1,150 5
For 617 lbs. weight exported from Port Glasgow 92 11 0
For 155 lbs. weight exported from Leith 23 5 0
This is the total yet exported. Debentures for this have neither been paid nor made out. 2 pages. [Ibid, No. 6.]
May 18. 162. Letters patent, signed by all the Lords of the Treasury, constituting managers and directors, detailed, for preparing and delivering of tickets, and to oversee the drawing of lots, and to order all other things relating to the lottery as by the Act of last session for raising 1,200,000l. by annuities and a lottery.
[Warrants not relating to money XXIV. pp. 383–383b.]
May 18.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
163. Present:—Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Geo. Oxenden, Mr. Dodington, Mr. Clayton, Sir Wm. Yonge.
“Mr. Conduitt attending, is called in, and Mr. Attorney General's report on the draft of the indenture for the Mint is read, and it being observed that the trial pieces for the gold coin is to be that which was made in the reign of James II. and that the trial pieces for the silver coin is to be that made since His present Majesty's accession, Mr. Conduitt to answer why both trial pieces in either of the reigns are not used, says that the gold trial piece of King James's reign is found to be more exact than that of King George, and that the silver trial piece lately made is more exact than that of King James, which proves to be 2 dwt. too coarse.”
“Mr. Conduitt says that the great cash now in the Mint (in case there was any coinage going on) would be employed in paying immediately for the gold and silver imported, so as the importers might have the benefit of that money without waiting at all for the coinage, which is according to the practice of the Mint. He says the money is under three locks, as the Act of Parliament and indenture directs. Nevertheless, instead of 2,000l. security mentioned in the indenture, he will give 20,000l. whereof himself 10,000l. and two others 5,000l. each, which my Lords accept and agree that the charge which the enlargement of his security may occasion shall be defrayed out of the coinage duty.”
Order for the preparation of a sign manual for the issue of 210l. 15s. 8d. “to answer the charges specified in bills which have attended the authenticating the claims of merchants and others with respect to their ships and goods taken by the Spaniards.” [Treasury Minute Book XXVII. p. 24.]
May 18. 164. Warrant from the Lords of the Treasury to the Commissioners of Revenue, Ireland, to allow Col. Cathcart to import free of duty 138 swords for the use of his regiment in Ireland.
[Irish Book VIII. p. 393.]
May 18. 165. J. Scrope to the Barons of the Exchequer in Scotland, to appty sundry remains in the accounts of the Customs and Excise towards supporting and enlivening the public credit in certain articles which greatly stand in need thereof, that is to say, in clearing the debt remaining unpaid on fish debentures, and in paying up the annuity to the Equivalent Company.
Appending:—Entry of letter from same to the Paymaster General of the Forces concerning the proposal from the Royal Bank of Scotland to meet the difficulty attending the remitting of public moneys from Scotland, by which the exchange and remittances from thence might be put on a more certain footing for the future. Encloses a copy of same for consideration, as also a copy of the representation made thereupon to the Lords of the Treasury by the Barons of the Exchequer [Scotland].
[North Britain Book X. pp. 106–7.]
May 20. 166. Petition to the Treasury from Thomas Tomkyns. Petitioner is indebted to His Majesty for the use of the public and was arrested 1728, June 11. After great application and expense has found out and perfected the secret of making sow or cast iron malleable by sea or pit coal fire. Prays enlargement upon parole, in order to put same into practice and so lessen his debt to the public. Poultry Compter, May 20, 1731. 1 page.
Minuted:
—(a.) With minute verbatim as under date 1729, July 23.
(b.) 14 August 1729 “Report to the Queen and Council accordingly.” 1 page. [Treasury Board Papers CCLXXVI. No. 7.]
May 20. 167. Petition to the Treasury from Win. Fazakerly and Samuel Skinner, East Indian supercargoes of the “Houghton,” bound for the East India in December 1728. Represent that they had a licence from the [East India] Company to carry out a certain quantity of foreign silver to be invested in gold bullion at China on their own account; that they entered the silver and invested the same in gold bullion or money of China, which was registered in the Company's books as directed; that upon their arrival off Dover on board the said ship in July last, they sent and directed the said gold bullion to be delivered to the company of directors, but before the persons in whose custody the said gold bullion was could get on shore to make entry thereof it was seized by Jeremy Idle, an officer at Dover, and is under prosecution for non-entry. Pray a noli prosequi. Referred to the Commissioners of Customs.
[Reference Book IX. 435.]
May 20.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
168. Present:—Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Geo. Dodington [sic for Oxenden], Mr. Dodington, Mr. Clayton, Sir Wm. Yonge
The Commissioners of Taxes and Sir Thomas Clark called in and their report read on the case of Benjamin Wall, one of the sureties for Jonathan Smart, Receiver for Hertfordshire, who failed in 1726. Their Lordships agree to stay of process till Michaelmas term next.
Surveyor General called in and his report on the Duke of Montagu's petition for a building term in a piece of ground now in his possession in Privy Garden read. Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer will take the King's pleasure thereon.
“Mr. Surveyor informs my Lords of a leasehold estate within the Duchy of Lancaster that is near expiring, of a very considerable value, which heretofore belonged to the Savoy Hospital. Hereupon Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer acquaints my Lords that the Chancellor of the Duchy lays claim to the whole Savoy as being within the Duchy's jurisdiction, therefore it is proper for their Lordships to take the whole matter into their consideration.” Surveyor to attend again on Tuesday next.
A petition of Wm. Fazakerley and Samuel Skinner to non pros. an information for gold bullion from China, seized for being brought on shore before entry, read and referred to Commissioners of Customs.
“Write to the Secretary at War for another detachment of dragoons to be sent into Sussex to assist the Excise officers against the smugglers according to a memorial from the Commissioners of Excise dated the 7th instant in that behalf.”
Order for preparation of a sign manual for 800l. bounty in the name of Andrew Drummond, and so much more as the fees thereof shall amount to.
Same for preparation of warrants for clearing foreign ministers on their allowances and salaries and pensions payable at the Exchequer to Lady Day last.
Mr. Lowther out of the King's money in his hand is to pay to the Bishop of Sarum, or to his order, 5l. for the charge of removing a prisoner from Sarum to Winchester.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVII. p. 25.]
May 21. 169. Memorial to the Treasury from T. Woodcock, Js. Cardonnel, and W. Winde, dated Salt Office, London, representing the wretched case of many of the officers lately employed in the salt duties. Their families are perishing for want of the common necessaries of life. Pray to be authorised to make them some small allowance. 1½ pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCLXXVI. No. 8.]
May 25. 170. Report from Nicholas Paxton to the Treasury on the petition of Zacheus Duckett, of the borough of Leicester, concerning the goods and proceeds of Wm. Martin, prosecuted by Duckett to an outlawry. Advises that the 50l. now in the hands of the Sheriff of Leicester as the proceeds of sale of Martin's goods be paid to Duckett, minus sheriff's poundage, &c. 1½ pages.
Minuted:
—“Warrant signed June 1.”
Appending.—(a.) Duckett's petition to the Lords of the Treasury with reference thereon, dated 1730–1, February 12, to Nicholas Paxton. 1 page.
(b.) Copy of the affidavit of same as to the debt due from Martin, dated 21 October 1727. ½ page.
(c.) Certificate by Benjamin Marriott, one of the attorneys of the King's Remembrancer's office, of the outlawry against Wm. Martin, late of Glenfield, Leicester, gentleman. ½ page.
[Ibid, No. 10.]
May 25. 171. Proposal for increasing the revenue arising by hawkers and pedlars read and referred to the Commissioners of those duties.
[Register of Papers VI. p. 193.]
May 26. 172. Warrant under the royal sign manual, countersigned by the Lords of the Treasury, to the Commissioners and Trustees for Fisheries and Improvements in Scotland, authorising the propositions made in their report of Christmas last, for republishing and continuing for three years from that date the former plan for distributing the moneys intended for improving fisheries and manufactures in Scotland, with the alterations following, i.e.:
1. That the premiums given to small boats for searching for herrings in the Firths of Solway, Clyde and Moray shall cease, and the money allotted for that service shall be employed in encouraging the fitting out of larger boats with deeper nets to search for herrings in deeper water in the Moray Firth.
2. That the undertakers for the “bush”fishing be not obliged always to keep fishing within sight of the land.
3. That they be at liberty to send off from their “bushes” at sea to foreign mercats any part of the fishes by them caught not exceeding six lasts for each bush without being obliged to repack them at land.
Further approving their purpose of publishing the plan of improvements with the following alterations to continue for three years from Christmas last, viz.:—
That out of the sum of 1,410l. 18s. 10d. the savings of the moneys intended for improvements preceding Christmas last 55l. be allowed to a riding surveyor for the curing of herring in the Firth of Clyde and on the N.W. coast for the present year.
Item, a salary of 10l. each to 10 additional lappers and stamp masters.
Item, an additional 50l. to be distributed in small prizes to housewives in the district of the additional lappers, being 5l. for each division for one year.
Item, 42l. 1s. 8d. for purchasing three reeds and three shuttles to be given as prizes to the most expert weavers at each of the stations where lappers are placed.
Item, 130l. as a salary for one year to Richard Holden for instructing the manufacturers in the several branches of the linen trade.
Item, 10l. for one year's salary to Nicholas Dapeville for inspecting and stamping cambrics.
Item, 30l. for salaries to two foreign spinsters for teaching the spinning of yarn for cambrics for one year.
Item, 50l. for prizes for those that shall spin the finest yarn in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh this year.
Item, 30l. for setting up three additional spinning schools for yarn at 10l. each.
Item, 200l. to Andrew and Wm. Gray to enable them to purchase and set up presses and other instruments for packing, dressing and pressing linen for the service of that manufacture in Scotland.
Item, 40l. to an experienced Dutch weaver for teaching the use of the Dutch loom in this year.
Item, that out of the remaining sum of the savings aforesaid, the Trustees be authorised to issue what they think necessary for promoting and further perfecting the cambric manufacture to be accounted for by them in their next report.
[North Britain Book X. pp. 108–9.]
May 27. 173. Warrant under the royal sign manual to the Lords of the Treasury, for the issue of 191l. 19s. 11d. and 18l. 15s. 6d. being fees on that sum, to Edward Greenly for all fees, charges, and expenses of proceedings had in the High Court of Admiralty in relation to the losses sustained by the King's subjects from the seizure of their ships and goods by the Spaniards, in accordance with the Treaty of Seville.
Appending:—Statement of the particulars or bill for the above amount, being fees for business done, viz. attendance, &c. drawing monitions, and acts of Court, &c. and for perusing, engrossing, and drawing notarial acts relating to 122 claims stated in detail.
[King's Warrant Book XXX. pp. 222–8.]
May 27. 174. Memorial from Henry Pelham to the Lords of the Treasury, craving direction of moneys to answer demands for clearings, offreckonings, and other services of the forces from 1730, June 25, to December 24 (total, 100,713l. 14s. 4d).
Endorsed:—“Lre signed.” 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCLXXVI. No. 11.]
May 27. 175. Petitions of the Receivers General of the Land Tax for the various counties or receiverships, for continuation in that office. Arranged alphabetically according to counties, and marked respectively “continued” or “respited.”
[Register of Papers VI. p. 194.]
May 27.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers.
176. Present:—Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir George Oxenden, Mr. Dodington, Mr. Clayton, Sir Wm. Yonge.
The Commissioners for Taxes attend, and their certificates containing the names of all the Receivers for the Land Tax, 1730, with their charge, discharge, and remains are read. Their Lordships proceeded thereupon to the appointing receivers for the present year's land tax, marking those to be continued by the letter C. and those to be respited by the letter R.
John Airy, receiver of Durham and Northumberland, declining the office, Wm. Surtees accepted in his stead, if approved by Commissioners of Taxes.
Their Lordships desire the said Commissioners in making their future certificates to comprise in one sheet not only the charge, discharge, and remains of the last preceeding tax, but also the remains on each receiver on all preceeding taxes, house money included, so as their Lordships may see at one view the debt with which each receiver stands chargeable. Their Lordships also expect that when any former receiver stands respited, they do by the surveyors of the houses or other fit means give notice thereof in the country, to prevent such respited receivers intermeddling in the growing receipt; as also for former receivers continued, until their securities are taken in the Exchequer and their commissions delivered out.
Their Lordships observe that 59,083l. stands in arrear of the last year's land tax for London. The Commissioners thereof are to lay before their Lordships the particular parishes or places chargeable therewith, so as some special orders may be given thereupon.
The Commissioners' report of the 15th instant on Mr. Sparry's petition for an allowance in his account of house money for extraordinary charges as late receiver for Worcestershire read and agreed to.
Their Lordships reconsider the case of Mr. Smart's securities on the Commissioners' report of the 15th instant, and are of opinion that the Commissioners for Taxes should appoint the moneys recovered to be paid in rateably and proportionately to Smart's debts for the said respective taxes.
Dr. Sayer, the Surveyor General, attended, and the report of the Commissioners of Customs on Fazakerly and Skinner's case of a seizure of gold bullion at Dover imported from India [sic] read, with the Attorney General's opinion. Their Lordships put off the trial in the Exchequer from Tuesday next till next term in order to a thorough consideration of the case on the said report and opinion.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces of 100,713l. 14s. 4d. out of the funds in the Exchequer for 1731, for services in general. Said Paymaster to apply the like sum out of any moneys in his hands to clearings, offreckonings, and other services of the year 1730, according to his memorial of this day's date.
Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer acquaints their Lordships that the King has agreed to the Surveyor General's report on the Duke of Montagu's petition for a building lease in a piece of ground now in his possession in Priory Garden, and also to his report on the Earl of Burlington's petition for a building term in the house late the Lord Carleton's in the Priory Garden. In the latter case care is to be taken that no more buildings are erected on the said ground than what are at present standing there. Also that his Majesty has agreed to the estimate, plan and elevation for a new building in the mews at Charing Cross represented in a memorial of the Board of Works of April 9 last; as also to a memorial from the Board of Works of April 7 last for repairing certain paintings in the great stair case and gallery of communication between the King and Queen's apartments at Windsor, estimated at 450l.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVII. pp. 26–7.]
May 29. 177. Memorial of the Duke of Argyle to the Treasury praying a grant of such mines as may be found on his several earldoms, lordships, and baronies, according to an Act passed in Scotland in 1692, he being informed that there are several mines of valuable metals, the working whereof may be of great advantage. Referred to the Barons of the Exchequer, Scotland.
[North Britain Book X. p. 110.]
May 29. 178. Memorial of James Duke of Athol to the Treasury, praying, in consideration of the great loyalty of his family, a grant of the arrears of feu duties in the sheriffdom of Perth and stewartry of Fife from Whit Sunday, 1721, amounting to 566l. 12s. 87/12d. and of book and retour'd duties within the said stewartry since Whit Sunday, 1716, amounting to 52l. 6s.d. for which he is under prosecution. [Ibid.]
179. Same from Wm. late Earl of Seaforth to same. His late Majesty pardoned him of the high treason with which he stood attainted, since which his estate has been sold for the use of the public, and himself and family left in straitened circumstances. Prays grant of the debt of 3,916l. 13s. 4d. due to the Crown for feu duties out of his estate, that he may have something to live on.
[Ibid.]