|
| August 5. |
122. Same to same from the Commissioners for building a Bridge at Westminster; concerning the valuation set by the Surveyor General of Crown Lands upon the several houses and small parcels of land which they require for opening up ways and passages to the intended Bridge. Conceive that for such a public purpose the houses and lands might be expected to be a free grant, considering his Majesty's message to the House of Commons by Sir Charles Wager. Hope at least that the valuation will be moderated, the leases being for long terms unexpired and of little value, and one parcel (viz. the Plantation Office valued by the Surveyor General at 1,440l.) being an old crazy building fit for nothing but to be pulled down “and if continued much longer standing will cost very near as much in repairs as the value thereof can be supposed to be.” Detail, similarly, the characteristics of the other items desired.
Endorsed:—Recd. 12 August, 1740. 3 pages.
[Ibid. No. 33.] |
August 6.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
123. Present: The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Winnington, Lord Sundon.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List Revenues:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To the Cofferer of the Household to clear 1739, Xmas quarter |
10,450 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Treasurer of the Chamber on bills and warrants for 1739, Xmas quarter |
5,857 |
5 |
7 |
“Write to the Commissioners of the Customs for an account of the vacant offices in the Plantations with the salaries attending the same.”
“Transmit to the Commissioners of the Customs Mr. Couraud's letter of the 6th instant with William Tapley of Teignmouth's information about a brigantine's being taken, whereof he was master, by French who pretended to be Spaniards, for the examinations which are desired by the Lords Justices to be made concerning the same.”
Order for the following issues out of the moneys of the Sinking Fund for 1740:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To the Treasurer of the Navy to clear quarters for Sick and Hurt Seamen to 1740, June 30, as by his memorials of 21 July and 2 August |
18,700 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Paymaster of the Marines for clearings to the 6 regiments together with the additional men for 3 musters from 1739; Xmas to 1740, June 24, as by his memorial of this day |
4,126 |
13 |
0 |
The letter dated Wisbech, 1739–40, Feb. 24, signed by T. Smith and P. Summars, and reflecting on the character of Mr. Vavasor, Receiver of Taxes for Cambridgeshire, referred to the Taxes Commissioners for report.
The memorial of the 10th ult. from the Postmasters General read and agreed to for adding 16 men to each of the pacquet boats now employed, at a total increased charge of 2,111l. 4s. 0d. per an.
Agreed that the 134l. 15s. 7½d. now remaining in the Exchequer of the late King's arrears be issued and applied in part of the debt owing from the late King to — Berkeley or his representatives as one of the Equerries to his late Majesty.
The proposal of Mr. Burrell and Mr. Bristow for remitting subsistence money to Gibraltar and Minorca, 1740, August 25 to Oct. 24, read and agreed to as follows, the rates of exchange being certified by the Paymaster of the Forces to be as usual, viz.:—
26,500 dollars for Minorca, payable in gold at sight at 55d. per dollar.
25,000 dollars for Gibraltar, payable in gold at sight at 54½d. per dollar.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 236; Letter Book XIX. p. 546; Customs Book XIV. p. 492.] |
| August 7. |
124. Copy of a report to the Treasury from the Board of Trade on the petition of James Glen, Governor of South Carolina, praying an allowance of salary sufficient to enable him to execute his trust. Have been attended by petitioner and some merchants trading to that Province and are informed by him that his predecessors in that Government usually had a salary of 1,000l. a year, which salary has lately been appropriated to other purposes. It would be a discredit to go with a less salary than his predecessors and might induce the Province either to withdraw the allowance usually granted by them to the Governor there or would make him more dependent on the people there than would be consistent with his duty to his Majesty. As petitioner proved his allegations to the satisfaction of the Board are of the opinion that he should have a salary of not less than 1,000l. sterling per annum.
Endorsed:—“Mr. Glen's salary settled at 800l. per an. out of 4½ per cent. from Lady Day, 1740.”
[Treasury Board Papers CCCIII. No. 35.] |
| August 12. |
125. Warrant under the sign manual of the Lord Justices, countersigned by the Lords of the Treasury [to the Lord Lieutenant, Ireland] for orders to the Receiver or Receivers General and Paymasters of Revenue, Ireland, to remit to Henry Pelham 2,736l. 5s. 0d. free of all deductions, except the usual deductions made in Ireland for Poundage, Hospital, and Pell fees, same being the full pay according to the establishment of Ireland of Earl Rothes's regiment of foot on said establishment for the time during which it was on service at Gibralter, viz., 1737, Dec. 25 to April 14 following; the Parliament of Great Britain making provision only for the difference between the Irish and the English establishment.
Appending:—Said Pelham's memorial dated Pay Office, Horse Guards, 1740, August 8.
[Irish Book IX. pp. 200–1.] |
| August 13. |
126. Treasury warrant to the Auditor of the Receipt to issue and apply so much as shall be sufficient to discharge the whole principal remaining undischarged, [i.e., the deficiency] on the 25 March last, on the loans or Exchequer bills on malt, 1738, together with such further sum in same bills out of arrears of said duties on malt paid into the Exchequer since March 25 last, as shall be sufficient to discharge the interest due on the said unsatisfied loans or bills at the time of discharging same: the said unsatisfied principal or deficiency being certified to amount to 123,331l. 15s. 11¼d. over and above the sum of 1,350l. to be paid to the Paymasters of Exchequer Bills in the usual manner for their office.
Appending.—Certificate as to said deficiency by Robert Lord Walpole, Auditor of the Receipt.
[Money Book XL. p. 232.] |
August 13.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
127. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
Mr. Lowther is to pay out of the King's money in his hands 1,500l. to Mr. Paxton for special services.
Mr. Gore to attend the Treasury on Friday next with a proposal for remitting the Hessian subsidy.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To Foreign Ministers on their ordinary and extraordinary to 1739, 'Xmas, as per list |
7,520 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Privy Purse |
3,000 |
0 |
0 |
Same for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces out of Exchequer bills to be charged on land tax 1740, of 191,275l. for 2 months' subsistence and pay to the Forces to Oct. 24 next, and other services as in his memorial of the 8th instant.
Same for same out of Exchequer bills on land tax 1739, of 3,552l. 18s. 0d., to replace to the Sinking Fund the deficiency, issued thereout, of the Additional Stamp duties at Xmas, 1737, and 20,000l. to make good the like sum paid to the Bank out of the Sinking Fund for one year's interest on loans on salt to 1738, Sept. 8.
Same for a warrant for making good out of Exchequer bills on land tax 1740, the deficiency on the 25th March, 1740, of the Register on Malt for the year 1738.
Andrew Lowe, at the recommendation of Mr. Bertie, is to be a tidesman at Boston loco John Morfoot, deceased.
Jeremiah Stone's petition to be enlarged from his imprisonment for debt to the Crown for duties on malt referred to the Excise Commissioners.
The Customs Commissioners' report of July 31 last, read on St. Marino's petition for 43l. 10s. 0d., the King's moiety of a seizure of raisins under the Navigation Act, wherein he was ignorantly concerned. The moiety having been paid into the Exchequer, their Lordships, commiserating his case, order it to be paid to him by Mr. Lowther out of the King's money in his hands.
Luke Mercer's petition relating to his services in hindering the exportation of wool from Ireland, and praying for protection and encouragement therein, referred to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 238–9.] |
| August 14. |
128. Representation from the Board of Works to the Treasury. The leads over the Courts of Chancery and King's Bench in Westminster Hall were so much decayed that last winter were obliged to keep out the wet by tarpaulins. At the beginning of the present long vacation an examination was made, and the roof, as well as the lead, was found to be in a very bad condition, a great part of the principal timbers so decayed and rotten that the roof ought to be forthwith shored up to prevent accidents until it can be properly repaired. The cost of shoring will be 250l., and will be no inconvenience in the Hall, except the Courts of Justice, over which Courts a proper repair may be made this vacation at a cost of about 800l. The charge of repairing the remaining part of the roof and lead will be about 4,200l. Propose to extend the work over four long vacations so that the annual cost will be only 1,050l. On account of the extreme danger have already shored the roof over the Courts of Chancery and King's Bench and commenced the repair of the roof there.
Minuted: With minute of date, August 14, identical with minute infra p. 263 under date August 17, and note “answered by Board of Works, August 21, 1740.” 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCIII. No. 41.] |
| August 16. |
129. Paper of extracts as to the proceedings at law against Henry Popple: those proceedings being (a) by Mr. Selwyn for a debt of 5,000l. owing to the Crown for money received by Mr. Popple to discharge her late Majesty's debt and not so applied by him, and (b) on Mr. Popple's bond of surety as agent to the Independent Companies in Jamaica: further detailing the nature of said Popple's estate.
Endorsed in fine with an entry dated 1740, August 16, in substance as in the minute, dated August 17, infra p. 263.
Further endorsed in dorso “24 Feb., 1707, that no public money be granted by debentures or otherwise but by a committee of supply.” 2 pages.
Appending:—(a) Statement of opinion dated 1740, April 28, by Dudley Ryder, Attorney General on a case submitted to him relating to the affair, viz., “whether as Popple's bond entered into is in the nature of a judgment to the Crown and as he became as agent to the said Companies immediately accountable to the Crown, if an escheat should be now issued upon that bond and the same estate and effects should be extended thereupon, as upon Mr. Selwyn's, it would not have the preference of Mr. Selwyn's extent? And if not for all the estate and effects of Mr. Popple, for what part thereof?” 1½ pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCIII. No. 43.] |
August 17.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
130. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
On reading Mr. Pelham's and Sir William Yonge's reports and all other papers relating to Mr. Popple's debt of 6,249l. 16s. 4¾d. to the 6 Independent Companies at Jamaica their Lordships agree to make same good out of certain unappropriated moneys in the Exchequer. The proper warrants ordered therefor. Mr. Paxton to use his best diligence in recovering for the Crown all he possibly can from Popple's estates, “and to enquire where he is and to secure his person if to be come at.”
The papers relating to the French vessel belonging to Morlaix stopped some time since at Falmouth on account of contraband trade, to be sent to the Customs Commissioners for inquiry and report as to what is reasonable to be done, according to the desire of the Lords Justices signified in Mr. Couraud's letter of the 13th instant.
“Write to the Board of Works, who apply to my Lords by memorial dated the 15th instant and now read, for 4,200l. to repair the roofs and leads of Westminster Hall, to know when they were formerly repaired with the expense thereof and in what manner the same was repaired.”
Their Lordships approve of the Commissioners for the sale of the “St. Joseph” and “St. Jago” prizes putting up the tobacco for sale at 2s. 6d. instead of 3s. 6d. per lb., and the cocoanut at 7l. 15s. 0d. instead of 8l. per hundred. The Customs Commissioners to be acquainted that “in matters of this nature their Lordships leave it to their judgement and discretion.”
The report from the Board of Works of the 15th instant read and agreed to for new building the Court of Common Pleas and the Office for the Custos Brevium at the estimate of 1,345l. The proper warrant to be prepared accordingly.
“Mr. David Campbell having by letter dated the 12th instant laid before my Lords an answer [sic for account] under his hand and seal of all the provisions and other stores under his care as Commissiary in the expedition to the West Indies under Lord Cathcart, the same is to be lodged with the Clerk of the Papers.”
On the petition of Mr. Tinker, Governor of the Bahamas, for equipage for his going over to that Government, agreed to allow him the same as his predecessor had.
The report from the Board of Trade of the 7th instant read as to the salary to be allowed to James Glenn, who is going Governor to South Carolina. “My Lords cannot advise the granting a salary in manner proposed by the said Board, Mr. Glenn knowing it was not to be had when he accepted the Government.”
Care is to be taken that Mr. Keene be paid no further than to Xmas last on his appointment as late Minister to Spain.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. pp. 240–2; Letter Book XIX. p. 547; Customs Book XIV. pp. 494–5.] |
| August 21. |
131. Copy of a letter from the Taxes Commissioners to the various Receivers General for the Counties. The payments on the present year's land tax being directed by the Act of Parliament to be made quarterly, presume they will very soon be going upon the receipt of the first quarter's tax. Therefore require, as soon as same is finished, an account of all moneys received and of arrears standing out on the several hundreds or divisions of their respective receipts, and also of their remittances “which we hope you will take care shall be in such bills as will be punctually and speedily paid into the Exchequer so as to answer the pressing occasions of the public.”
Together with abstracts of the returns or replies of the said respective receivers for the several counties, detailed, to the abovesaid letter, and with notes (in a different hand) of their subsequent payments. 2 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCIII. No. 44.] |
132. The Board of Works, Whitehall, to the Treasury. “Have examined the books of this office which commence in the year of the Restoration and find that in the year 1663 some parts of the roof and leads over Westminster Hall were repaired and new leaded. The charge of the said repairs amounted to the sum of 1,765l. 6s. 0d. And in the year 1737 another repair was made to the gutters and parrapits which came to the sum of 445l. 18s. 0d. There has been several small repairs done to the roof and leads every year which at a medium amounts to the sum of 15l. per annum: all which repairs has been done by this office and defray'd at the expense of the Crown.” 1 page.
[Ibid. No. 45.] |
August 22.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
133. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Sundon, Mr. Winnington.
Order for warrants for clearing the fees, salaries and pensions payable at the Exchequer to 1739 Xmas, “and let a letter [of direction] be writ to the Exchequer for satisfying the same accordingly.”
A like letter [of direction] to be written for the issue to Mr. Lowther of 2,000l. on the warrant in his name for that sum.
[Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 243.] |
| August 25. |
134. a and b. Two statements certified by John Grymes, Receiver-General of Virginia, and attested by John Blair, Deputy Auditor of same, and William Gooch, Governor of same.
(a) Of His Majesty's revenue of quit rents, &c., in the Colony of Virginia, 1739, April 25, to 1740, April 25. 4 pages.
(b) Of His Majesty's revenue of 2s. per hogshead, &c., in said colony, 1739, Oct. 25, to 1740, April 25. 2 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCIII. No. 46.] |
| August 27. |
135. Proposal from Jon. Gore to the Treasury. By the late Treaty with the King of Sweden as Landgrave of Hesse Cassel there becomes payable to his military chest at Hesse Cassel 182,500 Bank Crowns of Amsterdam for the purposes following:— |
|
moiety of levy money for 1,200 horse |
48,000 |
|
moiety of levy money for 4,800 foot |
72,000 |
|
a quarter's subsidy due 1740, August 9 |
62,500 |
Offers to give his bills of exchange on Messrs. Andrew Pels and Sons of Amsterdam, at 4s. 11d. per Crown Banco, in all 44,864l. 11s. 8d. sterling, “and I will undertake that all money shall be paid into the military chest at Hesse Cassel according to the Treaty and without rebate as therein stipulated.” The prime cost of each Bank Crown in Amsterdam at the present exchange of 34s. 8d. [Flemish] per pound sterling is (without any commission, charges, &c.) 4s. 9d. 692/1000. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCIII. No. 48.] |
| August 27. |
136. Treasury warrant to William Lowndes, one of the Auditors of His Majesty's land revenues, to charge any of the receivers of land revenues within his audit, by debenture, with 84l. 14s. 6d., to be paid to T. Walker, Surveyor General of His Majesty's land revenues.
Prefixing:—Memorial to the Treasury from said Walker for said sum, being disbursed in binding the ancient surveys and other damaged papers and books in his office, in taking a survey of the freehold and leasehold lands in and near St. James's Square to prevent loss to the Crown and vexation to the inhabitants, and in making an index to all grants of houses in the Bailiwick of St. James's to prevent the passing of different grants for the same premises.
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVI. pp. 360–1.] |
August 27.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
137. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Viscount Weymouth to be cleared on his appointments as Ranger of St. James's and Hyde Park to June 24 last.
Order for the issue to Mr. Stewart of the sum wanting to clear the establishment of pensions payable by him to 1739 Xmas.
Same for same to the Treasurer of the Navy out of the Sinking Fund for 1740 of 86,865l. 2s. 0d. for services as in his memorial of the 25th instant.
Mr. Gore will attend on Wednesday next on his proposal for remitting the Hessian subsidies.
Mr. Walker, the Surveyor General of Crown Lands, is to be paid out of moneys in the hands of the Receivers of land revenues 84l. 14s. 6d. craved by his memorial for binding books, taking surveys and making indices for the service of his office.
The respite on Mr. Butt as Receiver of land tax for Brecon, Radnor and Montgomery is to be taken off according to the Taxes Commissioners' letter of the 26th instant.
“The managers for the [Westminster] Bridge lottery for the year 1740 are to have the lottery wheels and other materials delivered to them in the usual manner according to their desire in that behalfe.” [Treasury Minute Book XXVIII. p. 244.] |
| August 29. |
138. Treasury warrant for the Board of Works to execute works as below at the estimate.
Prefixing:—Memorial to the Treasury from said Board of Works. In accordance with the commands of the Treasury, as in Mr. Tilson's letter of 1740, June 19, on the memorial of Lord Chief Justice Willes and the other Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, “have viewed the said Court and the rooms thereto adjoining, belonging to the Custos Brevium and the other officers, and find them very much decay'd. We therefore waited on the Lord Chief Justice and the other Judges of the said Court and on their proposal to take down the office of the Custos Brevium and to place the Court where that office now stands (it being impossible to make the Court either warm or convenient if refitted in the Hall where it now is) we have made an estimate of the expense of such Court as is desired, and likewise of building another office for the Custos Brevium according to the plan hereto annexed [wanting] both which will amount to the sum of 1,345l.”
[Lord Chamberlain's Warrant Book II. pp. 147–8.] |
