|
May 4.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
87. Present: Earl of Wilmington, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
A letter from the Duke of Richmond read concerning an omission from the list of officers sent in, viz.: of the allowance of purveyance and ferrage for the half-year to 1742, Sept. 29, amounting to 244l. 10s. 0d., which he desires may be issued for him to the Cofferer of the Household.
A memorial from said Cofferer read for an imprest for 5,000l. to pay bills abroad for the expense of the Greencloth. Order for the issue of 1,000l. to Mr. Gore.
A same read from the Earl of Loudoun for the issue of money to replace the 22 horses lost by Sir Thomas Hay's troop by sickness in Flanders.
Same from same read representing that 4 regiments in Flanders, and a fifth under orders for foreign service, will be rendered entirely incapable of taking the field for want of baggage and bass horses and forage money, and praying that my Lords will take into consideration two warrants relating to the premises prepared by the Secretary at War.
Lord Elibank's petition read concerning the long delay in the report by the Barons of the Exchequer, Scotland, on his father's petition concerning arrears due to the Crown from his lands. His petition of last Tuesday agreed to. Warrant ordered.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To the Duke of Richmond |
4,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To same, more for half-year's purveyance and ferrage to 1742, Sept. 29 |
244 |
10 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Gore for Mr. Pouchoud |
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Cofferer for Mr. Gore |
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Lord Carteret, part of 3,000l.
|
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Speaker of the House of Commons |
500 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Cofferer for purveyors for 1743, April |
2,000 |
0 |
0 |
A report read from the Lord Advocate of Scotland on a petition of Mr. McLeod, concerning conveying to the Crown certain lands held by him, taxward, from the Duke of Argyll, on which the barracks at Bernera are built; also a letter to said McLeod from said Duke letting him know that nothing shall be wanting on his part to put the affair in the shape that is for His Majesty's service. The Lord Advocate to prepare a draft of an act of Parliament pursuant to his report.
A letter from the Duke of Newcastle read with a memorial from Monsr. de Bussy concerning the passing at the Customs of some particulars in the list of his equipage. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
A letter to Sir Clement Cotterell, subscribed Mardefeldt, read desiring free import of a box of velvet and a robe from Calais. “Write to Sir Clement to know who he is, and from what Court a minister.”
An application read from the Board of Ordnance for repayment of land tax, 1741 and 1742. Agreed to. Same from the Excise Commissioners for same of land tax, 1743, to officers of under 100l. salary agreed to. Same from Stamps Commissioners for same agreed to.
Thomas Cooke to be a stamper, loco Richard Freemantle, deceased.
A memorial read from the Excise Commissioners, with the Attorney General's opinion concerning prosecuting prisoners in the Fleet for insulting and obstructing the Excise officers when searching for run tea lodged in that prison. The Solicitor of the Excise to pursue the directions and advice of the Attorney General.
A memorial read from Viscount Torrington and Mr. Day proposing sureties as collector outwards, London port. Referred to the King's Remembrancer.
A petition from Michael Hatton for stay of proceedings read and agreed to, “but if he applies again he must not expect further indulgence.”
A report read from the Surveyor General of Woods on a representation from the Duke of Somerset for repairs to the lodges and stables in Hampton Court House Park. Agreed to.
Same read from the Victualling Commissioners on Richard Osment's petition. Send to the Commissioners for their opinion whether he is an object of compassion.
Abraham Carter to be a noon tender, London port, loco William Billett, deceased; Vaughan Phillips, junr., deputy King's waiter, ibid, loco Anthony Stocker as deputy to Vaughan Phillips, senr.
On consideration of the Attorney General's report on the petition of Deborah Drew he is to prepare a royal warrant for a grant of the estate of Charles Drew to her and others.
The report of the Surveyor General of Lands read on the petition of William Nicholas for a reversionary lease of two pieces of ground, &c., adjoining Old Spring Garden. Agreed to. Same from same read on same of Sir Robert Eden for same of lands in the Bishopric of Durham. Agreed to.
Same from the Excise Commissioners read on a memorial of several landowners in Hereford, Worcester, Gloucester and Devon, makers of perry and cider, concerning the incidence of the duty of 4s. per hogshead.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 248–52; Customs Book XV. pp. 306, 307; Letter Book XX. pp. 93, 94; North Britain Book XIII. p. 436.] |
| May 5. |
88. Report to the Treasury from the Customs Commissioners, dated Custom House, London, on the conduct of the officers concerned in collecting the 4½ per cent. and Enumerated Duties in Barbados and the Leeward Isles. In 1738 despatched Robert Dinwiddie, Surveyor General of North [sic] America, to inquire into said conduct on the complaint of Patrick Wilson, Comptroller of Basse Terre, against his collector, Henry Brouncker, for frauds and irregularities. In view of said Dinwiddie's report and of the observations thereupon of the Comptroller General [of Customs], have found it necessary to have a retrospect into the management and behaviour of the several collectors [of said duty] as far back as 1734, when a new set of instructions had been issued to them in consequence of former experience of their ill conduct. On consideration of Dinwiddie's report hereon, and of several papers relating to these matters, find that the collectors and officers in general have been guilty of great frauds and neglect. They have taken Pistoles in payment at 23s., and afterwards disposed of them on their own account at 28s. per Pistole without giving the Crown credit for the difference. They have charged for wastage on goods received in kind for duties, although same have been shipped off immediately and without wastage. Under pretence of want of money to pay salaries they have disposed of the King's sugars at low prices and made fictitious sales thereof, being themselves the purchasers. The collectors of Barbados, St. Kitts and Parham in Antigua have not complied with the form of the oath to their accounts as required by the instructions given to Mr. Dunbar in the Customs Commissioners' letter of 1736, May 8. Great frauds have been committed by the collectors in shipping off large quantities of sugar without payment of the 4½ per cent. duty, as appears by the accounts of the Comptroller General of Customs of sugars exported from the islands, and of same imported into Great Britain from 1734, Xmas, to 1738, Xmas. [See these accounts supra Vol. IV. p. 23 items 71 and 72. Said accounts should be treated as appendices to the present paper.] From these it appears that the said imports exceeded said exports by 29,787 hogsheads, this being, therefore, the quantity that has escaped paying duty in the islands. By the like comparison for 12 years the difference amounts to 126,800 hogsheads. With regard to Barbados at least half of all the sugars there made are improved or clayed sugars; whereas the collector has accounted to the Crown for only a sixth part thereof as improved or clayed sugars. The fraud on this head in four years amounts to 9,356l. Can only conclude that [Charles] Dunbar has partaken in the frauds. Have therefore dismissed him from his employment of Surveyor General of Barbados and the Leeward Isles. As the Comptroller General of Customs has represented that from the irregular and imperfect manner in which the accounts of the several collectors have hitherto been transmitted home it is impossible for him to make out the true balances due to the Crown from said collectors, have appointed Dinwiddie to proceed to said places to settle and adjust the accounts of the several collectors. After consideration of the order of the Customs Commissioners of 1705–6, made in consequence of the proclamation of 1704, by which the collectors were directed to receive the enumerated duties after the rates settled by said proclamation, have directed said collectors to be surcharged in their accounts with any difference that may appear between the rates so settled, and their manner of accounting for said duties. Further renew a former application to the Treasury for the enumerated duties (being laid by an English Act of Parliament) to be received in sterling money, the Attorney General having recommended this in his opinion of date 1715, Nov. 17, on which a presentment was made to the Treasury by the Customs Commissioners, 1715–16, March 15. Propose to employ Patrick Wilson in the 4½ per cent. revenue for his services rendered as above.
Endorsed:—1743, June 29. “My Lords approve of this report.” 5 pages.
Appending:—(a) Scheme proposed to the Treasury by Robert Dinwiddie, containing an estimate of the annual produce of each island (Barbados, St. Christopher, Nevis, Montserrat, and Antigua), and a proposal for collecting the 4½ per cent. duty thereon in cash, viz., by agreement with the legislature of each island, the payment to be secured to the Crown by Acts of Assembly in the respective islands. “The Enumerated Duties being by Act of Parliament are not taken notice of in the above calculation.” 4 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXI. No. 2.] |
| May 5. |
89. Sir William Yonge, Secretary at War, to John Scrope, dated War Office, transmitting a copy of a memorial [wanting] presented to the Lords Justices by the Earl of Loudoun relating to the money for baggage and has horses and forage money for the 5 regiments lately ordered abroad, and likewise to a demand made by several regiments of horse and dragoons for horses lost by accidents in the service. “There are already warrants signed by His Majesty, and countersigned by me, for these services as usual, all of which are in the hands of the respective agents. … I am told those delivered to the agents are now lodged at the Treasury in order to be docquetted by their Lordships.” Transmits a list of warrants referred to in the Earl of Loudoun's memorial, as also a list of other warrants of the like nature, signed and countersigned as above, “which (if the contingencies respectively are not sufficient) I presume should be docquetted by their Lordships.” 2 pages.
Appending:—(a) List of warrants now depending, countersigned by the Secretary at War. 1½ pages.
(b) (c) Two of the said royal warrants referred to in (a), viz.: for 1,000l. to John Ellis, Director of the Hospital in Flanders, for the use of said hospital; and for 510l. to Mary, widow of William Burroughs, late Commissary General of stores, provision, and forage to the forces in the Low Countries, for salary to him, 1742 May 11, to Oct. 28, the day of his death. 1 and 1 pages.
[Ibid. No. 3.] |
[After
May 5 ?] |
90. Memorial to the Treasury from Robert Dinwiddie, dated from London. In 1738 was by the Customs Commissioners appointed Inspector General of the Barbados and Leeward Islands, to inspect the state of the 4½ per cent. duty as above, p. 269. After executing his trust, memorialist returned in 1739 and drew up a report containing a true state of said revenues, a detection of the unfair management of the collectors in accounting for same, and a scheme for preventing the like abuses for the future. Memorialist's expenses in the above amounted to 1,686l. 3s. 0d., of which 730l. 18s. 0d. was paid him by the Customs Commissioners. Memorialist was then dispatched as Surveyor General of the Southern part of the Continent of America; but has been obliged to return home a second time to apply for the balance due to him on the above. Is further upwards of 500 guineas out of pocket in such attendance, and has had no allowance for his trouble in the above task. Prays consideration of the hardship of his case.
Endorsed:—1743, June 29, read. 2 pages.
Appending:—(a) Account of Dinwiddie's charges in abovesaid inspection. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXI. No. 4.] |
| May 10. |
91. Warrant under the sign manual of the Lords Justices, countersigned by the Treasury Lords, to Henry Pelham, Paymaster of the Forces, for the issue to Major General James St. Clair and Lieut: Gen: Jasper Clayton, and Maj: Gen: Archibald Hamilton, of 366l. 11s. 2d. to complete the respective sums expended by them in providing camp necessaries for the regiments under their commands.
Appending:—Certificates of the provision of said necessaries.
[King's Warrant Book XXXV. p. 221.] |
92. Same, countersigned by same, to same to pay to said St. Clair, Brig: Gen: Charles Howard, John Earl of Rothes, Brig: Gen: Philip Bragg and Hugh Lord Sempill, 775l. being respective allowances to enable the officers belonging to the corps under their command to provide themselves with baggage horses upon their going to Flanders.
[Ibid. p. 222.] |
93. Same, countersigned by same, to same to pay to same 550l. being respective allowances to them for this first campaign in order to purchase one carriage or bass horse for carrying the tents of each company, and one horse for carrying the respective surgeons' medicines belonging to the corps, &c., under their respective commands, “there being no fund this year for the same by stoppages from those troops during their residence in winter quarters.”
[Ibid. pp. 222–3.] |
94. Same, countersigned by same, to same to pay same, 571l. 8s. 6d. each, being a reasonable allowance for forage money to the respective corps under their command to enable them to take the field.
[Ibid. pp. 223–4.] |
95. Same, countersigned by same, to same to pay 59l. 9s. 6d. each to William Wilkinson, agent to the First Regiment of Foot Guards, under the Duke of Cumberland; Maynard Guerin, same to the Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards under the Duke of Marlborough; and Thomas Paterson, same to the Third Regiment of Foot Guards under John, Earl of Dunmore, being for the pay of an additional quartermaster and surgeon's mate for each regiment, they being found necessary to enter upon duty with the batallions of said regiments that remained at home upon the embarking of a batallion out of each regiment for foreign service: same being for 183 days from 1742, June 25 (the time they entered upon duty with the batallions of the said regiments that remained at home) to Dec. 24 following.
[Ibid. p. 224.] |
| May 10. |
96. Warrant under the sign manual of the Lords Justices, countersigned by the Treasury Lords, to Henry Pelham, Paymaster of the Forces, to pay to Brig. Gen. Charles Howard, serving abroad in place of Francis, Earl of Effingham, deceased, 171l. 8s. 6¾d., being the allowance for forage to a Brigadier General on the establishment of the Forces at the rate of 30 rations a day for 200 days at 6 stivers a ration, computed at the exchange of 10 gu. 10 st. per £ sterling.
[King's Warrant Book XXXV. p. 225.] |
|
97. Same, countersigned by same, to same to pay to the colonels of several troops and regiments of horse and dragoons, detailed, serving abroad, 792l. being the value of 66 horses lost at sea, or by sickness in Flanders. [Ibid. pp. 225–6.] |
May 11.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
98. Present: Earl of Wilmington, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
A memorial read from the Treasurer of the Chamber upon a letter from the Lord Chamberlain for 1,500l. to be issued to Lord de La Warr for the Knight Harbinger and officers of the Wardrobe now abroad. To be returned to Lord Hobart to let my Lords know if any payments have been made by his office, by the Lord Chamberlain's warrant, to any person not upon the establishment, and what has been paid the Knight Harbinger out of his office.
A petition read from the sureties of Mr. Tonge, late distributor of stamps for co. Chester [sic for Lancaster] for stay of process. Nothing done.
“Write to Mr. Weston to know whether the bill drawn by Sir Cyril Wich on Mr. Lowther for 300l. is by any direction he has received from Lord Carteret,” their Lordships being apprised of said bill only by Mr. Lowther, one of the messengers, acquainting them that it has been produced to him as drawn on him from St. Petersburg.
Mr. Vyner attends concerning the case of Porcase, a prisoner in the Fleet for running goods. My Lords read to him the Customs Commissioners' report, and say it is impossible for them to discharge Porcase with so strong a report in his disfavour, but if Porcase will bring a new petition in his favour they will refer it to the Customs Commissioners.
A letter from Mr. Wood, Secretary to the Customs, read and agreed to concerning “Mr. Bussy's list of baggage on his coming minister hither, not then passed as not arrived, but desired to be passed duty free on his coming back; which the Commissioners of the Customs think may be done.”
A letter to Mr. Scrope from the Navy Commissioners of the 4th instant read, with a list of ships which are in want of pay, and acquainting my Lords that there then remained in the hands of the Treasurer of the Navy but 54,777l. 8s. 5d. Mr. Corbett attending informs my Lords that the service will suffer unless the 50,000l. desired in the Treasurer of the Navy's memorial of the 21st ult. for wages be forthwith issued. Order for the issue of said 50,000l., and of the 10,000l. desired in his memorial of the 5th instant.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To the Master of the Horse for Mr. Pouchoud by Mr. Gore |
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
For extraordinaries of the Stables |
2,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Lowther |
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Lord Hobart for the messengers |
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Earl of Loudoun |
500 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Lord Carteret in further part of 3,000l.
|
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
The Customs Commissioners' report read on John Gibson's petition.
Robert Griffiths to be a tidesman and boatman at Holyhead, Beaumaris port, loco Henry Owen, superannuated.
Mr. Poyntz's memorial as Receiver General of Excise read for 589l. 2s. 1d., being charges in carrying to the Exchequer 2,543,421l. 9s. 1½d. arisen by the Excise and Malt, 1741, June 24 to 1742, June 23. Referred to the Excise Commissioners.
The report from the Board of Trade read on Mr. Clinton's memorial for presents to the Six Indian Nations, advising said grant as usual on a Governor's first going out.
Mr. Lowther to pay out of the King's money in his hands the fees on Lord Carteret's 3,000l., as desired in a letter from Mr. Belaguer.
Col. John Brown's memorial for leave to import arms duty free to Dublin for 138 men of his regiment of Dragoons in Ireland, referred to the Revenue Commissioners, Ireland.
“Read a memorial of Mr. Legg desiring that such part of the repairs in St. James's Park (contained in a memorial of the Ranger, referred to the Board of Works) as are in his province as Surveyor of the Woods may be referred to him. The Ranger to state what works in that park have been done by the Surveyor of the Woods and what by the Board of Works.”
A letter read from Mr. Stone, Secretary to the Lords Justices, transmitting a petition of Robert Hanning for pardon, being concerned in the affray in which Alexander, a watchman, was killed. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
Mr. John Bennett to succeed Mr. Montagu as —.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 253–6; Customs Book XV. pp. 307, 308; Letter Book XX. p. 95; Reference Book X. p. 235; Irish Book IX. p. 396.] |
| May 12. |
99. The Victualling Commissioners to the Treasury concerning the refusal of the Customs Commissioners to give order for the transhipping to the men-of-war at Spithead of Irish beef and pork lately arrived there. Quote precedents of the years 1693 and 1694 of such free transhipment, and forward a copy of the Attorney General's opinion on the case justifying the practice. 3 pages.
Appending:—(a) Copy of said statement of opinion by Sir Dudley Ryder, dated 1743, May 3. 2 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXI. No. 5.] |
| May 13. |
100. J. Scrope to George Garnier, Apothecary General, forwarding from the Treasury a catalogue of medicines and other materials required by the Earl of Stair for the flying hospital for the army in Germany, as transmitted to the Treasury by the Secretary at War by command of the Lords Justices. “And their Lordships thinking the service will not admit in point of time waiting for your making out an estimate of the charge thereof, recommend it to you to provide the same in the best and cheapest manner.”
[Letter Book XX. p. 94.] |
| May 13. |
101. The Commissioners of Revenue, Ireland, to the Treasury, dated Custom House, Dublin, in answer to John Scrope's letter of April 22 concerning the price of provisions at present in Ireland. Enclose (a) infra, “by which it appears that provisions are rather cheaper at this time than they were in the last return we made to your Lordships on this subject.” 1 page.
Enclosing:—(a) An account of the prices of provisions (beef, pork, butter, bread, beer) in the port of Cork, returned the 6th May, 1743, by the Collector [of said port]. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXI. No. 6.] |
| May 16. |
102. Report to the Lords Justices from, the Board of the General Officers of the Army, on the petition of the officers of the late American regiment, commanded by Col. Gooch, who have been paid no further than Oct. 24 last, when they were reduced in Jamaica, though none of them reached England till some time after Xmas, and though reduced officers in the late war, who had not served so long, had yet been allowed half pay. Have examined all the said officers, and enclose a list of them with remarks set against each. The greater part of them had previously served as officers or volunteers in other regiments, and some were at considerable charges in raising their men. Therefore advise that they be provided for by half pay or otherwise, and that the pretensions of the officers still in America be likewise examined, General Wentworth having informed the board that some of said officers were sent to the Northern colonies by his order to raise recruits, and some few left sick.
Followed by:—A tabulated list of the officers of said regiment, with their particular pretensions, and the station each served in before he belonged to the said regiment. 15 pages.
[Ibid. No. 7.] |
May 18.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
103. Present: Earl of Wilmington, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
The representation read from the Auditor of Imprests concerning warrants paid by the Paymaster of the Forces in 1740, but not admitted by the Auditor as sufficient vouchers because countersigned only by the Secretary at War. Prepare a warrant to be signed by [the Lords Justices] for allowing them.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of the Forces of 171,807l. for services.
Order for the issue of the following out of the Civil List revenues:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To Lord Carteret to complete 3,000l.
|
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Cofferer of the Household |
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Duke of Richmond by Mr. Gore |
2,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
The same by same for Mr. Pouchoud |
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
Mr. Partridge, Agent of the Province of Pennsylvania, comes in and acquaints my Lords that he has 2,000l. in his hands as a present to His Majesty from that Province. My Lords direct him to pay it into the Receipt of the Exchequer as a present to His Majesty.
Write to the Stamps Commissioners for process against the sureties of Mr. Tonge to be stayed for 3 months.
A new petition from Charles Porcase read. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
A petition read from Sarah and Mary, daughters of Chambers Slaughter, sometime Accountant General to the Commissioners for Forfeited Estates, concerning the balance of 1,437l. 14s. 4d. due to the Crown on the making up his accounts, praying remittance thereof, owing to their father's palsey. My Lords agree to remit 437l. 14s. 4½d. for losses, trouble, and suffering, if the 1,000l. be first paid into the Exchequer.
A petition of Rowland Dawkin, sheriff of Glamorgan, read for 10l. paid by him after passing his accounts. Referred to Mr Farrington, the Auditor of Wales. Same from Anthony Morgan, same of Brecon, for 50l. similarly by him paid, referred to same.
Sarah Morley's petition concerning an estreated [estate] of Elizabeth Fish, read and referred to the Attorney General.
Said Attorney General's opinion read concerning the transhipping of beef from Ireland, “which is that the beef may be transhipped without forfeiture.”
A petition read from Margaret, widow of Charles Jacob, for a reward out of Hatch's composition for smuggling. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
Same read from James Fern (Ferne), praying that two shares in the river Kennet, belonging to Mr. Midford, but seized into the hands of the Crown, may be sold by the Customs Commissioners, and the money applied towards the preservation of the navigation of said river. Referred to said Commissioners.
Same read from Robert Couts (Coutts), prisoner in the Fleet. Referred to Commissioners of Customs and of Excise.
A memorial read from Mr. Howell setting forth his right to the manor of Abenhall in Dean Forest, and complaining of the felling of timber on certain ground called Whites or Whiteshill in said manor and within the bounds of said forest, by the officers of the Surveyor of Woods. Referred to the Attorney General, and meanwhile write to the Surveyor General to fell no more wood there till the Attorney General makes his report.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 257–9; Letter Book XX. pp. 95, 96; Referenee Book X. pp. 235, 236; Customs Book XV. p. 308.] |
| May 18. |
104. Warrant by the Lords Justices, countersigned by the Treasury Lords, to the Commissioners and Trustees for Fisheries and Improvements in Scotland, approving of their plan of improvements to be established for 3 years from Xmas last for distributing the moneys applicable to improvements in Scotland in manner as detailed in the report to the Treasury from said Trustees, of date 1742–3, June 21.
Prefixing:—Said plan in detail, viz. 2,650l. for the fisheries; 3,650l. for the linen and hemp manufactures; 700l. for coarse tarred wool. Together with:—Details of the propositions for employing the sum of 835l., part of the sum of 885l. 16s. 4d., being savings in the hands of the cashier to said Trustees of the expense of the preceding years.
[North Britain Book XIII. pp. 436–9.] |
| May 18. |
105. Report to the Treasury from the Taxes Commissioners on the state of the duties on houses and the conduct of the surveyors of said duties; same being made upon a Treasury order of 1742–3, March 17, requiring said Commissioners to reconsider their former reports thereon of dates, 1740, June 12 and 1739, June 14. [See supra Vol. IV. pp. 30–1.] The reasons put forward in said reports for the decrease of this revenue still subsist. As a remedy, propose to employ 2 surveyors to be pro tempore general surveyors to inspect the proceedings of officers in parts where regular surveys have not been made. The present general surveyors are 4 in number, Mr. Saunderson for London, Westminster and Middlesex; Mr. Stainforth for the northern district (an entirely negligent officer, who does not even answer the letters of the Commissioners exhorting him to his duty); Mr. Underwood for the rest of England; Mr. Lewis for Wales. Detail certain extracts from the Journals and Surveys of these four officers in proof of the negligence and incapacity of 37 officers, detailed, e.g., inter al., Fra. Roberts (Middlesex, 12th division) surveys his division but once in the year, which ought to be done twice, viz. after Lady Day and Michaelmas: Barthw. Lynch (Middlesex 9th division), his time is so taken up in another employment that he has no leisure to perform any part of the surveyor's duty; he neither attends at appeals the signing of the rates, nor the making up or setling the collectors' accounts, which occasions backwardness in the payment of the duties, the money not being collected till near 2 years after the same became due, in which time many of the inhabitants die, break or remove; his books are crowded with errors, and from his frequent employment of a deputy many inconveniences may arise, for the deputies not having a proper commission, the inhabitants may refuse them the liberty of inspecting their houses, collectors may refuse them the examination of their rates and assessments, and the Justices often disallow their charges and proceedings by reason they are not lawfully authorised: Tho. Life (Cambridge) keeps no books, neither does it appear that he ever made a survey; he is by profession a surgeon: Robt. Obbinson (Lincoln), this officer is a rich farmer, and has abundance of business, which makes him neglect his duty as surveyor: in Wales the officers look upon their duty as a sinecure, for the most part they keep no books, and those who do have no method; there is a great decrease everywhere in these duties and that not so much from the above negligence and incapacity as from the partial and arbitrary proceedings of the Justices in those parts, who will not admit of any surcharges where a regular survey has been made in order to advance the duties, but on the contrary strike them off without examination, as they did lately in Ludlow, Salop, as also in Brecon town, though it appeared that many of the houses had from 30 to 70 lights, and that no appeal was made, they alleging it would be a bad example for one to pay 30 shillings, whilst others in the same circumstances paid but 20 shillings: John Sesse, one of the surveyors of Devon, is incapable of his duty, but the officer lays the blame upon the Justices of the Peace, who suffer the people to come and appeal at any time, and they are taken off without the knowledge of the officer who should be present to defend his charge; for which the clerks to the said Justices receive a fee. In conclusion propose certain qualifications to be demanded in future of persons for this service (being the same proposals which had been made in the previous report of 1740, June 12). 8 pages.
Appending:—(a) Copy of said previous report from same to same, of date 1740, June 12, similarly detailing the incapacity and negligence of particular surveyors, e.g., inter al., by a report from Mr. Underwood it appears that for many years past there has not been a regular survey made in the city of Bristol, by reason whereof the duties are greatly decreased, and the person who some time since attempted to make a survey there had been insulted by the mob. Endorsed:—With Treasury order of 1742–3, March 17, requesting the Taxes Commissioners to reconsider same and previous report of 1739, June 14, and to present a state of the duties on houses, and of the behaviour and abilities of the officers. 3 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXI. No. 9.] |
[After
May 19.] |
106. (a and b) Two books of accounts relating to the island of Jamaica, certified on different dates,
(a) by James Barclay (late) Receiver General [of Jamaica] Kingston, 1740, Sept. 29, and attested by Edward Trelawny, as sworn before him in Council, 1743, May 19.
(b) by Murray Crymble, Receiver General [of same], Kingston, 1742, March 25, and audited by Samuel Spencer, deputy auditor, and attested as above.
Said accounts including old revenue, new revenue, forts and fortifications, new impost. 18 and 36 pages.
[Ibid. No. 12.] |
| May 24. |
107. Warrant under the sign manual of the Lords Justices, countersigned by the Treasury Lords to William Aislabie, one of the Auditors of Imprests, to allow in the account of the Paymaster General of the Forces for the year 1740, six several sums, set out in detail, being payments made by him which cannot be allowed in his accounts without some further authority in that behalf by reason the said warrants were not countersigned by the Treasury Lords.
[King's Warrant Book XXXV. pp. 234–5.] |
May 25.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
108. Present: Earl of Wilmington, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
Vincent Litchfield to be a stamper, loco Edward Green, deceased.
My Lords will consider the Treasurer of the Navy's memorial of the 24 instant for 138,949l. 1s. 2d. on Friday next.
Write to the Bank to know what money they can pay in upon the lottery and annuity contributions.
A memorial read from the Treasurer of the Chambers for 1,300l. for the officers of the Wardrobe attending the King abroad. Ordered.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To Mr. Scrope for Secret Service |
6,500 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Treasurer of the Chambers for the officers of the Wardrobe abroad |
1,500 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Cofferer for purveyors |
2,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Ellis |
850 |
0 |
0 |
A memorial read from the Equivalent Company in Scotland for immediate payment of the arrear of their annuity, for want of which they are at present unable to give notice in the Gazette as they have always done at the beginning of June of the time of paying their half-yearly dividend to their proprietors and to those of the Royal Bank in Scotland. Referred to the Barons of the Exchequer, Scotland.
William Judge to be coastwaiter, London port, loco Cuthbert Lazon; Edward Chinn to be surveyor of houses, co. Somerset, loco Benj. Holloway, deceased.
The report from the Barons of the Exchequer, Scotland, considered on the petition of the Earl of Bute, for a grant of the teinds of the island of Bute. To be returned to said Barons for a signature to be prepared comformable thereto.
The Taxes Commissioners attend, and their list of the Receivers of land tax and house duties, 1742, with the state of their respective accounts is read. My Lords thereupon approve of said Receivers to be Receivers for the present year, except John Fletcher for Cumberland, resigned; George Pembroke, for Herts, postponed; Richard Gildart, for Lancs., respited; John Shepherd, for Hants, postponed; William Midford, for Sussex, same; Thomas Phipps, for Wilts, same; Richard Broadrib, for co. Worcester, same; Mr. Clifford, for Monmouth, resigned. The following Receivers to be written to about their arrears, Robert Clayton, for house duties, co. Hereford; Sir Robert Baylis and Mr. Selwyn, late for Middlesex; Thomas Clifford, for Monmouth; Mr. Wollaston, for house duties, co. Salop; Allan Whitefoord, Receiver for Scotland, for his arrears, 1740 and 1741. Further write to the acting Commissioners for the several hundreds of Oxfordshire, to cause their arrears to be paid in. The same for Durham and Northumberland.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 200–2; North Britain Book XIII. pp. 441, 442.] |
| May 25. |
109. The Duke of Devonshire, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, to the Treasury, dated from Devonshire House, for preparation of the proper instrument for embarking from Cork for Ostend the battalion of the Royal Regiment of foot, under Major Gen. James St. Clair, and the regiment of foot under John, Earl of Rothes: and further for sending to Ireland, and putting on the Irish establishment the other battalion of the Royal Regiment of foot lately returned from the West Indies, and the regiment of foot commanded by Sir John Bruce, and for the incorporation with them there of certain officers and privates, detailed, to be left behind in Ireland by the abovesaid two regiments, viz., those belonging to the battalion of Royal to be incorporated into the other battalion of Royal, and those belonging to Lord Rothes's regiment to be incorporated into Sir John Bruce's regiment. 1½ pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXI. No. 15.] |
May 27.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
110. Present: Earl of Wilmington, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir John Rushout, Mr. Gybbon.
Order for the issue to Mr. Corbet of 133,691l. 2s. 4d. in part of a memorial of Sir Charles Wager of the 24th instant for 138,949l. 1s. 2d., “which he is impowered to receive by a warrant from the Lords Justices upon Sir Charles Wager's death.”
George Bally to be a, stamper, loco — Stafford, deceased.
A petition read from Sampson Lowrie (Lowry), prisoner in Newgate, for his habeas corpus or for release. Referred to Mr. Sharpe.
Same read from James Grey for his share of the money for convicting 2 felons. To be paid in course.
William Sharpe to succeed Thomas Archer as Comptroller of Newcastle on Tyne port.
Write to the paymaster of the 1710 lottery to know what arrears are standing out on that lottery.
Prepare the usual warrant on the memorial of the Collegiate Church of Westminster for the 4,000l. for repairing said church, as granted by Parliament last session.
The Taxes Commissioners' report read on the petition of the widow of Mr. Burridge, late Receiver for co. Devon, proposing to accept the 240l. offered by her for several estates, &c. Agreed to.
Same from same read containing a state of the duties on houses and the behaviour of the surveyors thereof. My Lords agree that the Agents for Taxes [may] have power to make three of the surveyors to be general surveyors pro tempore, with salary increased temporarily to 100l. per an.
The letter from the Board of Ordnance, concerning the corn mills at Portsmouth, to be sent to the Surveyor General of Lands for report.
[Treasury Minute Book XXIX. pp. 263–4; Customs Book XV. p. 309; Letter Book XX. p. 96; Reference Book X. p. 236.] |
[Before
May 28.] |
111. Memorial to the Treasury from James Adams, Clerk of His Majesty's stables. The Duke of Richmond, Master of the Horse, has been obliged to meet the new growing contingencies arising on the present expedition, and amounting to 2,691l. 8s. 5d. out of the 3,000l. issued to him, and designed for plates, &c., and other incidents of the Stables, 1743. Therefore demands a further issue to meet said items, as these plates &c., are unavoidable ready money expenses. If the issue is not immediately made “the plates cannot be answered, the extra helpers cannot go on, the landlords will refuse us the land we hold, and every other thing must stand quite still: and this is to be exclusive of 5 quarters' arrears due to the tradesmen, Lady Day, 1743.”
Together with:—A list of the abovesaid bills and contingencies upon this present expedition, (the items including 200l. for the King's present to Mr. Pouchoud and 313l. 2s. 1d. for Sir Everard Fawkener's bill and present for 2 Turkey horses sent as a present from the Grand Vizier to the King).
Endorsed:—Recd. 28 May; and
Minuted:—ut infra under date 1743, June 1. “Inquire into the dates of the bills for this demand.” 2 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXI. No. 17.] |
