|
July 2.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
111. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
Treasury in reply to Mr Carkesse's letter of this day, the Customs Commissioners are to instruct the Commissioners for the sale of the “St. Joseph” and “St. Jago” prizes to sell the treasure and jewels as well as the other goods taken on board the said ships; same being held to be lawful prize and therefore within their commission.
Mr. Keen, deputy to Mr. Hammond, a king's waiter London port, is to be a king's waiter loco James Harvie deceased. Richard Frewin is to succeed Keen as deputy. John Adderley, an additional waiter London port, preferred to the superior list loco Christopher Torlesse deceased; Matthew Mead, deputy to abovenamed Harvie, to succeed Adderley.
The memorial of the 12th March last from the Trustees for Georgia read for 1,987l. 0s. 9½d. expended on the military defence of said colony. “My Lords thereupon order a warrant to be prepared for the 4,000l. granted out of the funds for this year to the Trustees for the further settling and improving the said Colony; and say they must therewith make themselves easy as to the said debt for that my Lords have no money in their power that can be applyed thereto. So must attend the direction of Parliament in the next session.”
Order for the issue out of the Sinking Fund of 12,000l. to the Treasurer of the Navy for services as in his memorial of the 27th ult., and of 10,000l. to the Royal Africa Company.
The letter of the 10th ult. from the Board of Ordnance read for land tax on their salaries for 1739 to be repaid them out of moneys arising by sale of old stores. The same directions, as formerly, given in this case as also for the clerks of the Admiralty as desired by Mr. Burchett in his letter of the 14th instant.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List Revenues:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To the Cofferer of the Household for imprests to wine purveyors |
1,800 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Paymaster of the Works to answer a warrant payable in that office to the executors of Mr. Bridgeman |
3,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Thomas Lowther to reimburse expenses |
1,500 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Andrew Reid for transporting felons |
585 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Earl Waldegrave as Ambassador in France |
1,700 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Great Officers, 1739, Xmas quarter |
6,007 |
6 |
4 |
|
To Gent. and Grooms of the Bedchamber |
4,275 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Henry Foubert, Esq., for ¾ of a year due 1740, June 24 |
375 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Fra. Manning, Esq., ½ a year's pension due same time |
200 |
0 |
0 |
|
To William Fisher a quarter ditto to same time |
100 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Usher of the Exchequer |
1,815 |
13 |
7½ |
|
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 229–230; Customs Book XIV. p. 482.] |
| July 4. |
112. John Couraud to the Treasury, dated Whitehall; transmitting from the Lords Justices a copy of the Attorney, General's report on an extract of a letter from Mr. Burnaby, his Majesty's minister in Sweden, to Lord Harrington, informing of the importation of English rams into Sweden duty free. Their Excellencies desire Treasury orders to the Customs Commissioners to execute the prohibition of the export of English sheep to foreign parts.
Appending:—(a) Said statement of opinion by Sir Dudley Ryder, Attorney General, as above, dated 1740, June 3 [sic erratum for June 30.] 4 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCIII. No. 22.] |
July 4.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
113. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
“Lord Cathcart comes in and moves my lords for an establishment to be signed for the Forces to be raised in America for the intended expedition. His Lordship is told that 8,000l. hath been already issued to Col. Blakeney for that service, and that such further sum shall be issued as may be found necessary to carry on the same; it not being very practicable to form an establishment where the subject thereof is to consist of such various commencements as the raising of forces in America and appointing the officers to command them must require.”
“His Lordship also presents a memorial for easing the General officers' pay of the tax of 6d. per £, but is told that, in this case, they must submit to the like deductions on account of the said tax as are made from other the officers of the like rank.”
The Taxes Commissioners' report of the 1st instant read on Matthew Lister's petition for 200l. towards losses and expenses in passing Vaughan Bonner's account as Receiver of Taxes for part of Lincoln. “My Lords say there is no money in the Exchequer that can be applied towards satisfying this demand.”
Mr. Lowther is to pay out of the King's money in his hands 50l. as royal bounty to Stephen Whatley, 10l. to Edmund Longbridge as same, and 50l. to Mr. Renard of Amsterdam, being his annuity due June 24 last.
The determination of the merchants' affair relating to bills of exchange drawn on Mr. Popple for the 6 Independent Companies in Jamaica adjourned until the Chancellor of the Exchequer shall come to town again.
Mr. Lowther is to pay Edward Bryant 16l. in full of his bill for going to and coming back from Maldon three times by order of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in January last.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 231–2.] |
| July 4. |
114. Treasury general warrant to the Excise Commissioners empowering them to admit all brandy, rum, arrack, or other spiritous liquors imported above proof to be reduced to proof, and to make a charge accordingly without particular application for a Treasury warrant as hitherto.
Prefixing:—Representation to the Treasury from said Commissioners, dated Excise Office, London, 1740, June 19. It has been the practice in the port of London for the importers of brandy, rum, arrack, or other spiritous liquors where the same has been found to be above proof, to petition the Lord High Treasurer or the Commissioners of the Treasury for the time being, for a warrant to make post entries of so much brandy, rum, arrack or other spiritous liquors, as the said brandy, &c. would require water to reduce them to proof, and to accept of the single duty for the same, and to deposit a penny per gallon in the hands of the Collector for Imported Liquors to answer the fees and expenses of such warrants. But in all the outports where the quantities of brandy, &c., as above, have not been so considerable, when any brandy &c. were brought in above proof, the overproof has been ascertained by trying what quantity of water it would require to reduce it to proof, and the single duty charged and paid for the whole without any warrant, and this practice attended with no expense to the importers, and the duty charged and paid with as much certainty and security to the revenue. But the importation of brandy &c., as above, at the port of Bristol being very considerable, the traders there, through the negligence or indulgence of the officers, have not been charged in such proportions as have been necessary to reduce the said liquors to proof (neglects which it is hoped the scheme lately offered will entirely prevent). The execution of the proposed scheme may, however, meet with opposition and be attended with still greater difficulties if the merchants there should be required to deposit 1d. per gallon towards the expense of obtaining a warrant to empower the collector to admit of a post entry of so much brandy &c., as is required of water to reduce the importation to proof. Being apprehensive that the importers of London may think they have reason to complain if they are put to any trouble and expense which those of the outports do not undergo, beg a general warrant of the Treasury as above. The revenue will thereby be as effectually secured, it will give great satisfaction to the merchants, prevent all disputes and uneasiness with the traders and promote despatch of business.
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVI. pp. 335–7.] |
| July 4. |
115. J. Scrope to the Customs Commissioners,forwarding from the Treasury a copy of the Attorney General's report to the Lords Justices of the 30th ult. relating to the laws in being, concerning the exportation of sheep, especially with regard to an account given by his Majesty's minister in Sweden that English rams are imported there duty free, the masters of English vessels carrying them there as presents to their friends, and under pretence that they are provisions for their voyage. Orders are to be given that the laws prohibiting the exportation of English sheep be put in execution in the port of London and the out ports of Great Britain.
[Customs Book XIV. p. 483.] |
| July 9. |
116. Treasury warrant to the Auditor of the Receipt for the issue to George Holmes, Deputy Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London, of 83l. 10s. 3d., being his charges attending making kalendars and sorting and digesting records in Wakefield Tower, and other records lately sent from the Chancery and deposited in the Great Room adjacent to Caesar's Chapel.
Prefixing:—Account of said expenses.
[Money Book XL. pp. 227–8.] |
July 9.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
117. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
The directions of the Lords Justices certified by Mr. Couraud in a letter of the 8th instant for orders to be given for the transhipping, without importation, of 250 butts of Malaga wines (having been purchased by the Victualling Commissioners for the ships at Spithead under Sir John Norris), the greatest part of which lies waterborne at Dunkirk. Their Lordships agree thereto, and direct the Customs Commissioners accordingly.
Order for the following issues out of moneys in the Exchequer out of the public funds for the service of 1740:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To the Treasurer of the Ordnance for land and sea services … … each |
30,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Paymaster of the Marines for 4 months' subsistence to the 6 regiments to 1740, Dec. 24, and for the subsistence of the 2,040 additional men for the same time |
29,780 |
4 |
0 |
|
To the Paymaster of the Forces for 4 months' subsistence and pay to Harrison's and Wentworth's regiments going on the expedition with Lord Cathcart. |
10,174 |
0 |
0 |
The proposal of Peter Burrell and John Bristow for furnishing subsistence money at Jamaica for the expedition under Lord Cathcart agreed to as follows, viz., any sums of money and at any time at the exchange rate of 100l. sterling for every 120l. paid in Jamaica currency, 27,000l. sterling being paid to them, the contractors, before the departure of the troops, and they furnishing their bills at sight on Jamaica for the amount thereof; subsequent payments to be made to them on their producing the Deputy Paymaster's bills or receipts.
The proposal from the Customs Commissioners of the 9th instant read, on the petition of John Furly for his Majesty's share of a seizure of a ship with figs from Seville made by Mr. Edgell. Their Lordships agree thereto and order a warrant for the discharge of his Majesty's part accordingly.
Mr. Crowle's memorial for a piece of ground lately purchased by the Crown at Windsor referred to the Surveyor-General of Crown Lands for report.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 233–4.] |
July 11.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
118. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy out of moneys in the Exchequer of the Sinking Fund for the service of 1740, of 56,186l. for the course of the Navy, &c., as by said Treasurer's memorial of the 11th instant.
[Ibid. p. 235.] |
| July 24. |
119. Treasury warrant renewing the contract with the Bank of England for the circulating of Exchequer bills for the year ending 1741, July 24.
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVI. p. 102.] |
| July 24. |
120. Col: William Blakeney to [John Scrope?] dated New York, concerning the recruiting for the regiment he was forming in America. In a circular letter to the several Provinces Major General Spotswood promised to each private enlisting a pistole per calendar month of 30 days, which, reckoning the pistole at 28s., New York currency and the exchange at 170 per cent is 63/5d. sterling per day. On this encouragement they gave in their names to be in readiness to appear when called for. But on hearing afterwards that they were to be paid only 6d. sterling a day, as in Britain, those who had given in their names objected to it and others who were formerly willing to enlist declined it. Has therefore agreed to allow them what Major Gen: Spotswood promised, till they should join the main body of the army, and then to be on the same footing. Having brought an insufficiency of tents and there being no quarters for the soldiers has not been able to assemble the regiment in one place, and has therefore been obliged to let the companies remain in the provinces where they were levied till a rendezvous in the transport ships should be appointed and so to proceed directly to the West Indies to the general rendezvous of the forces of the intended expedition. The officers of the regiment were therefore divided and sent to the different provinces, “and by them I wrote to the several Governors to pay the troops the full value of their sterling subsistence in the currency of each Province and for their reimbursement to draw upon me here for the said sterling to be paid in the currency of this Province [New York] at such exchange as should be most for the interest of his Majesty's service. This method tho' then thought proper I have been obliged to alter on account of the disadvantages that would attend it by loss of country exchange, commission, &c., occasioned by the great variety of currency and the small correspondence of trade and exchange the Provinces have among themselves, trading and corresponding chiefly each province for itself with Great Britain.” Has therefore adopted the plan of remitting to the Governors sterling bills to the value of 3 months' subsistence of their respective quotas, drawn on [?John Scrope] and payable in London, each one to negotiate same at the best exchange he can. To make the bills convenient for merchants' remittances to England has divided them up into small sums. Details the amounts of 44 bills (total 9,082l. 3s. 6d.) for the companies, detailed, in Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, New England, Maryland, New Jersey and Rhode Island, respectively. “As several of the private men gave in their names some in April, some in May and begining of June before they were regularly attested and mustered, and as the Governors of the Provinces not attending to the method of attestation in Britain lookt on that as enlisting and had promised them pay accordingly, I believe it will be found necessary to allow it, not only to acquit the Governors of their engagement, but to satisfy the private men who are very apt to desert alter they are enlisted if they imagine they are not justly dealt by: and in case of any future levies in these colonies, which are much more populous than they are represented to be and may hereafter save the transporting of so great numbers of troops from Britain on the like occasions, I shall therefore give directions that the number of such men and days be made up by the several captains and officers upon oath.” 4 pages.
[Treasury Book Papers CCCIII. No. 31.] |
| July 31. |
121. Memorial to the Treasury from the Commissioners for Sick and Wounded. The Admiralty having directed orders to be prepared for putting the affair of sick and wounded seamen in the hospitals and town quarters at the outports upon a better regulation, “the last article of which directs us, in regard the payment of the sick quarters are suffered to run very much in arrear, which is made use of by the people who receive sick men into their houses as a reason why they are not able to provide better for them, to give orders to our agents constantly to send us perfect accounts of the expense of sick quarters every three months and to solicit for moneys to discharge the same as soon as possible:” therefore pray the issue of 17,700l. due for quarters, cures, conduct money, funerals, &c., for sick and hurt seamen set on shore from His Majesty's ships at Rochester, Deal, Woolwich, Gosport, Plymouth, Sheerness, Bristol, Kinsale, and in the London Hospitals; for half a year to June 30 last. 2 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCIII. No. 32.] |
