|
| Oct. 3. |
169. Treasury warrant for the issue of 105l. to Richard Morley for himself and 3 clerks for 1744, Sept. 29 quarter, for sorting, digesting, &c., records and writings in the Court of the Receipt of the Exchequer.
Appending:—Morley's certificate of work done during said quarter:—“Since Midsummer last Mr. Farley has been employed in sorting the loose fines in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and putting them into their respective bundles, Mr. Smart has been making indexes to the Forest rolls, Mr. Strachy has been methodizing state papers and letters in the reign of King Henry 8th, Mr. Cole has continued making indexes to the Star Chamber records, and Mr. Morgan has been sorting Star Chamber records into reigns.”
[Money Book XLI. p. 416.] |
| [? Oct. 4.] |
170. Treasury order for the execution of a Lord Chamberlain's warrant to the Master of the Great Wardrobe, of date 1743, Sept. 28, for the provision of furniture, detailed, for Princess Louise, including, inter al., sets of royal bedding, portmanteaus, a travelling tea equipage, and items for Mrs. Dives and the “Fubbs” yacht: all to an estimate of 503l.
[Lord Chamberlain's Warrant Book II. p. 216.] |
Oct. 4.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
171. Present: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Mr. Gybbon, Earl of Middlesex.
A petition read from Mr. Lascells, of Barbados, complaining of his removal by Robert Dinwiddie from his office of Collector of Bridgetown, Barbados. The like read from Robert Upton, Comptroller of Customs there, and from William Rawlings, searcher there, complaining of the like. The three petitions to be referred to the Customs Commissioners to be examined with Mr. Dinwiddie's report.
Same read from said Lascells for copies of several papers in the Custom House, to enable him to put in an answer to a bill filed against him by the Customs Commissioners. Copies to be granted unless the Treasury is informed of reasons to the contrary.
A letter read from the Commissioners of the Victualling in answer to a letter to them about non-interest bills, in which they acquaint my Lords that there is nothing due in their office for premiums on importation of naval stores.
Same from same read relating to the victualling the marines at St. John's, in Newfoundland, acquainting my Lords that no provisions have been sent from their office for them: but that possibly Capt. Smith, of His Majesty's ship “Princess Mary,” may have delivered them some provisions when he was at Newfoundland.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To the Deputy Chamberlain |
80 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Egerton, a sheriff |
40 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Owen |
72 |
10 |
0 |
|
To Sir Clement Cottrell Dormer |
223 |
4 |
6 |
|
To Mr. Anstis |
400 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Sutton |
800 |
0 |
0 |
|
To salaries and pensions |
6,901 |
14 |
8¾ |
|
To Mr. Hooper for pensions |
11,092 |
2 |
2 |
|
To Mr. Basket |
500 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the sheriffs |
500 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Treasury Lords, et al. salaries |
28,487 |
14 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Scrope [Secret Service] |
6,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Secretaries of State Secret Service |
2,250 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Earl of Hyndford, ordinary and extraordinary |
951 |
10 |
0 |
A representation read from the Postmaster General for the three packet boats which used to go between Dover and Calais, to be appointed at Harwich, Helvoetsluis, and Ostend. Agreed to.
A memorial read from Mr. Sharpe apprising my Lords of a considerable expense that will arise to the Crown by the Attorney General's being made a party to a suit between the family of the Penns and Lord Baltimore as proprietors of Pennsylvania and Maryland. My Lords are of opinion that as the Crown was called in by Lord Baltimore he should be at the expense which will attend the Attorney General's being made a party. A report read from the Paymaster of the Forces and the Comptrollers of Army Accounts on Captain Wilson's memorial in behalf of Major Caulfield and 4 Companies of Col. Gough's regiment in Jamaica, and sent from there to Ruatan. My Lords are of opinion that Brigadier Wolfe's regiment should be charged with the proportions of 4,726l., and that the bill of 400l. drawn by Capt. McKnight should be satisfied if their clothing appears to have been made and duly delivered to the men.
A memorial read from Capt. Wilson, agent to Major St. George's regiment, praying an order to the Custom house to deliver 30 sets of buff accoutrements imported from Ireland and stopped at Chester.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 72–4; Reference Book X. p. 263.] |
| Oct. 11. |
172. Treasury warrant to the Postmaster General to cause the three packet boats heretofore employed in carrying on the correspondence with France to be stationed during the present war: one as an extraordinary boat at Harwich, another at Helvoetsluis, and the third as an additional boat on the Ostend station; by which means there may always be a boat at each place to bring or carry the Government despatches and messengers as well as the ordinary mails at a moment's warning.
Prefixing:—Representation to the Treasury from Sir John Eyles proposing as above.
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVII. pp. 268–9.] |
Oct. 11.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
173. Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Compton, Mr. Gybbon, Mr. Fox.
“Read a report of the Commissioners of the Customs [on the petition] of Gerard and Josua vanneck (van Neck) praying leave to export tobacco to France during the warr; in which they give it as their opinion that the restrictions proper to be inserted in the passes for that purpose are the name of the ship, the name of the master, the number of hogsheads on board, and to what particular port she is bound, that the port should be particularly specified from whence the tobacco is to be exported, that the tobacco should be exported in British bottoms only, and in ships of not less than 200 tons burthen, that security should be taken in the sum of 2,000l. that such ships shall not take on board or bring into the kingdom any goods of the growth, product or manufacture of France, and that the security should be the master of the ship, with two other good and sufficient persons, and the bond to be taken by the principal officers of the port from whence the tobacco is exported.” Agreed to. To be sent to the Clerk of the Council in waiting.
A memorial read from Peregrine Fury, agent to General Oglethorpe's regiment in Georgia, praying that the Apothecary General may be directed to prepare and send 2 chests of medicine for the said regiment. “Enquire what has been the practice.”
A petition read from Mary Woodman et al., of Benenden, Kent, legatees of Abraham Crotal, concerning the judgment against said Crotal for transporting wool in King William's time. Referred to the Attorney General to advise as to whether the Crown is entitled to a penalty incurred so long ago, and whether it may be worth the Crown's while to sue for it.
An account read from the Navy Office of the amount of the premium bills on importation of Naval stores, amounting to 16,497l. 0s. 3d.
Order for the issue to the Treasurer of the Navy of 13,282l. 8s. 10d. for services as in his memorial of the 4th inst.: and of 8,000l. in part of his same of this day for 18,000l.
Mr. Sharpe's report read on Thomas Hartwell's petition for a grant of arrears of rents of houses to which he defended the Crown's title. Agreed to.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To the Privy Purse |
3,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Reid |
495 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Treasurer of the Chambers for bills |
6,581 |
10 |
10 |
|
To Mr. Basket |
500 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Treasurer of the Chambers for messengers |
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
A report read from the Customs Commissioners on the petition of Jacob Elton, of Bristol, merchant, for leave to unlade the “St. Catherine” prize into warehouses, &c., in order to ascertain the goods. Report agreed to; the Commissioners being of opinion the ship should be regularly entered and the duties paid.
A petition read from Ann Blacherby for a reversionary grant of the office of Housekeeper of the House of Lords and divers lodgings, and a house on the east side of Old Palace Yard adjoining said House of Lords. Referred to the Surveyor General [of Crown Lands].
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 75–7; Letter Book XX. p. 153.] |
Oct. 16.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
174. Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Gybbon, Mr. Fox.
A memorial from the Excise Commissioners read concerning the release of Joseph Cockburne, in which they acquaint my Lords they have ordered their Solicitor to admit him to such bail as he can give.
A petition read from Samuel Hulme, of Southwark, grocer, to be released from his bail of 3,000l., and for repayment of his father's composition. Referred to the Excise Commissioners.
A petition read from John Errington, a smuggler, for discharge from Northumberland gaol. Referred to the Customs Commissioners.
Mr. Chancey Townsend called in and told by my Lords that if he approves of a contract for victualling 422 additional men of General Philips's regiment in Newfoundland, at 6d. per man per day to be paid him from the time of the delivery of the provisions to the men and a reasonable advance of money, a contract shall be prepared. Mr. Townshend agrees thereto.
A representation read from the Commissioners of the State Lottery, against private lotteries, and my Lords direct the said Commissioners to proceed against the persons complained of, with the utmost severity.
A petition read from William Cowper for stay of proceedings against him on the balance of his debt owing to Edward Clark, late Receiver General of part of Suffolk. Referred to the Taxes Commissioners.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 78–9; Reference Book X. p. 263.] |
| Oct. 20. |
175. Memorial to the Treasury from the managers appointed to take in tickets of the 1744 lottery, and to deliver out certificates in lieu thereof. Of the 80,000 tickets composing said lottery 76,028 have been taken in and entered, and 4,538 certificates have been made forth, signed and delivered or are ready to be delivered in exchange for same. Notwithstanding the frequent advertisements made by memorialists in the public papers for the proprietors of tickets to enter same, yet there are still 3,972 tickets standing out unentered. Find by the practice of former lotteries that it is useless waiting for such a number of outstanding tickets, and therefore, to avoid expense, have directed their whole office to be discharged from the 31st instant except one person, who is absolutely necessary to be continued therein. Conceive they have executed their commission, and pray a reward.
Endorsed:—Issue 200l. each. 1 page.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXV. No. 15.] |
Oct. 22.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
176. Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Gybbon, Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Fox.
A letter read from Capt. William Thynne desiring the Treasury to reconsider his case about a lawsuit with respect to recruits enlisted by him in Pennsylvania. My Lords say as the proper officer (the Secretary at War) to whom his case has been referred has reported against him they can give him no relief.
A letter read from Capt. Smyth, dated from Portsmouth, to Mr. Scrope relating to the victualling the marines at St. John's, Newfoundland. Write to the Board of Ordnance to let them know that it is the intention of my Lords that Mr. Chancey Townshend (contractor for victualling the 422 additional men of General Philips's regiment in America) should also victual the 85 marines left at St. John's, in Newfoundland, with Capt. Thomas Smith. Further, as it appears to my Lords by a letter from said Capt. Smith of the 11th inst. that he has made a contract with Messrs. Masters and Ballard for victualling said marines at 8d. a day each without any deduction being made out of their pay, on which contract 500l. was advanced, and that a duplicate of this contract is left in the office of Ordnance, my Lords therefore desire a copy of said contract to be sent to the Treasury, together with the officers of the Ordnance's opinion how the said contract may best be determined, and with an account as to how and by whom the allowance therein mentioned is now paid.
A letter read from Mr. Wood to Mr. Scrope, with copies of letters from the Customs officers of Colchester, concerning Mr. Lisle, the supervisor of Customs there, being carried off by smugglers: and a letter from Mr. Lisle acquainting of his being released again on a promise of not mentioning the smugglers' names.
A petition read from Luke Gardiner for payment of 13,097l. 17s. 8¾d. for transporting troops from Ireland to Ostend and Chester. To be sent to the Secretary at War and the Comptrollers of Army Accounts to examine into the performance of the services, and what they think allowable, &c.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 80–1; Letter Book XX. pp. 153, 154.] |
| Oct. 23. |
177. Articles of agreement made between the Treasury and Chauncey Townsend, of London, merchant, for victualling 422 additional men in the regiment commanded by General Philips, Governor of Nova Scotia.
[Warrants not relating to Money XXVII. pp. 272–4.] |
| Oct. 24. |
178. Report to the Customs Commissioners from R. Parsons, Comptroller General [of the accounts of the Customs], dated Custom House, London. In pursuance of said Commissioners' minute of the 19th instant, has perused all the papers transmitted by Mr. Dinwiddie, relating to his inspection in 1743, at Barbados, into the management of the 4½ per cent. duty. Has likewise had recourse to Dinwiddie's former inspection in 1738. Finds that the frauds on the said revenue, as complained of by Dinwiddie, are no longer open to doubt. In 1730 and 1731 the collector took to himself sugars at 12s. 6d. per cwt. to supply the deficiency of the growing receipt of cash to pay salaries and incidents. Further said collector in same period received 20s. per cwt. in lieu of Muscovado sugar. On this head the Crown must have been defrauded of 7s. 6d. per cwt. by short credit given it. The collector made fraudulent sales of sugar to defray the deficiency of salaries and incidents, keeping large stocks on hand many months, and yet selling same ultimately for less than the market price at the time of receipt. In his inspections Dinwiddie found, both at Xmas, 1738, and Xmas, 1743, that the large stock of sugar in the books was a fictitious entry, there being not a hogshead in the King's warehouse. As to the article of waste on sugar, the manner of charging same in the collectors' accounts has been most arbitrary and uncertain, and an utter disregard has been paid to the new instructions on that head. When it is considered that instead of the duty of 4½ per cent. being received in kind it has been for the greatest part commuted for money, and that in reality very small quantities of sugar have usually been lodged in the King's warehouse, it is no wonder indeed that the waste could not be regularly charged as alleged in the answers to Mr. Dinwiddie's queries, if it was determined to charge it on sugar never lodged in the warehouse, nor ever received in kind from the shippers, but commuted with them for money. And that this was the case is apparent from the collector's own account of commutation. Therefore concludes that the charge for waste is false. The discovery which Mr. Dinwiddie has made by procuring some of the accounts current between the collector and the shippers proves the collector's whole accounts to be false, by his receiving the duties of the planters and merchants in money, and charging himself in his accounts with the said duties in kind. Further instead of charging himself with the money received he ships his own sugars to the husband of the 4½ per cent. duty in lieu of the sugar commuted with the merchant for money. So that here are two sorts of commutations which the collector takes upon him, one of money for the identical sugar which he ought to have received, and the other of sugar for that money which he ought to have accounted for in money. As to the gains of the collector thereby, it has been published to the world that “upon an average he retains 50l. 16s. 2d. out of every 100l. received by him in money” (vide p. 47, 2nd part of [John] Ashley's ‘memoirs,’ who was Auditor General of revenue in Barbabos, &c., 1743). Advises that Dinwiddie be ordered home in order to explain several matters relating to these and other particulars. 5 pages.
Appending:—(a) Copy of Robert Dinwiddie's report to the Customs Commissioners, dated Barbados, 1744, March 30, concerning the state of the accounts of Edward Lascelles, who commenced collector of Customs at Bridgetown, Barbados, 1730, June 4. Details the various frauds as set forth above and the difficulties put by said collector in the way of the inspection. Gives an account of his proceeding in the inspection, and forwards copies of accounts, queries and letters relating thereto as below. Has discharged the collector and comptroller from their office, and appointed in their room Daniel Moore, collector, and Richard Gosling, comptroller, both persons of circumstance and spirit sufficient to stem any attempts to the prejudice of the revenue. Has further sanctioned the practice which has grown up of long duration, and therefore given instructions for receiving the duty for the better sort of clayed sugars in cash, as being of great ease to the planter and great advantage to the revenue, the collector being instructed to immediately enter same as cash to the credit of His Majesty, and to remit same by bills of exchange. There can be no proper test for the new management this year, as it is thought the island will not make one third of a crop. Gives an account of Lascelles's leaving the island for Antigua on board the “Scarbarough,” Captain Lisle, without first settling the balances due to the revenue, and of the partial settlement made for said Lascelles after his departure by Thomas Finlay, an attorney at law. Details his own further proceedings with William Rawlins, the searcher, who was certainly acquainted with all the irregularities, having attested the sales, &c. Has suspended said Rawlins [1744] March 27, and put in his place Thomas Medcalfe, who was a few months since appointed collector of Oistins, putting Jacob Perry in his place at Oistins. Upon great complaints, transmitted herewith, has also suspended William Eyre, searcher and waiter at Speights, one of the ports of the island, and appointed in his place Joseph Lindsay. Has taken up 500l. for expenses from Lascelles, and learning of the likelihood of war with France has taken up another 500l. from him and sent it to Antigua with Commodore Warren in His Majesty's ship “Superb.” Will be obliged to go to Antigua in some small vessel, as there is not a King's ship in this bay. 13 pages.
(a) (I) An enclosure in (a) ut supra; being copies of accounts relating to transactions in Lascalles's collectorship from 1731 to 1738, certified by said Dinwiddie, Barbados, 1744, March 30. 12 pages.
(a) (II) An enclosure in (a) ut supra. Copy of a certificate by 24 merchants of Barbados of the fair and average percentage for waste and pilferage on sugars paid into the Custom House, and of the price of sugar casks per ton, 1737–43. 1 page.
(a) (III) Instructions, dated Custom House, London, 1743, August 26, given by the Customs Commissioners, England, to Robert Dinwiddie, Inspector General of the 4½per cent. and Enumerated Duties in Barbados and the Leeward Islands, for the performance of a fresh inspection therein. 6 pages.
[Treasury Board Papers CCCXV. No. 17.] |
Oct. 25.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
179. Present: Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Gybbon, Mr. Fox.
A memorial read from the Paymaster of the Forces for 165,489l. 12s. 1d. for 2 months' pay and subsistence of the British troops in Flanders and for the Hanoverian troops to 1744, Dec. 24. Order for the issue of the whole.
Order for the issue to the Paymaster of Marines of 49,633l. 13s. 4d. on his deputy's memorial of the 23rd inst. for 14 months subsist to the 24th inst., “which my Lords are of opinion will be sufficient to pay last year's offreckonings and this subsist also.”
A report from the Attorney General read on a representation from Maynard Colchester and Thomas Pyrke, two of the verderers of Dean Forest concerning the Crown's right to timber in Hangerbury Wood. Mr. Attorney is of opinion that it belongs to the Crown.
Order for the following issues out of the Civil List revenues:— |
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
To the Judges |
6,582 |
10 |
0 |
|
To Lord Tyrawley |
1,700 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Collins |
100 |
0 |
0 |
|
To Mr. Selwyn |
100 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the purveyors, in part of October |
2,500 |
0 |
0 |
|
For rent of the Russian Minister's house. |
113 |
17 |
9 |
|
To sheriffs |
500 |
0 |
0 |
|
To the Board of Works |
5,911 |
18 |
0 |
A petition read from the rulers and overseers of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen on the Thames acquainting my Lords that there are many watermen who are employed by the Custom house on the river who have not served their apprenticeships to the Company, which they apprehend to be against act of Parliament, and praying relief.
A petition read from Thomas Speer for a warrant to discharge forfeited recognisances. Warrant ordered.
A memorial read from John Sharpe for 1,000l. for Crown law expenses. Warrant ordered.
A petition read from Onslow Burrish for 225l. 8s. 8d. for extraordinaries. Warrant ordered.
Mr. Davis to pay Mr. Thomas Cook 5l. for a quarter's rent of an apartment in his house wherein Mr. Turbill kept the books and papers relating to the Forfeited Estates, at 20l. per an.
[Treasury Minute Book XXX. pp. 82–3.] |
| Oct. 31. |
180. Treasury warrant to the Auditor of the Receipt for the issue of 225l. 8s. 8d. to Onslow Burrish, Resident in the Austrian Netherlands and at the Court of the Bishop of Liege, for 1 bill of extras from 1744, March 25 to Oct. 8.
Appending:—Said bill: (including “postage of letters from England and to my correspondents in the frontier towns and elsewhere, 49l. 10s. 0d.; expenses of a journey from Liege to Brussels from 15 to 19 May through several by ways to avoid the French parties on the high road, a passport having been refused, 27l. 10s. 0d.; money advanced to seamen to enable them to travel to Ostend, 2l.; expenses incurred in a journey by the King's command from Brussels to the Hague between 14 and 19 Octr.).
[Money Book XLI. p. 418.] |
