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Dec. 1.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
Present : all my Lords.
The bidding for the lotteries to be put off to Friday afternoon
next.
Major Wildman is called in and [? is] acquainted by [? my
Lords of] his Majesty's order of Wednesday last that he [? the
King] had been informed that the pacquet boat had not the full
number of men pretended ; he says he has at three several times
sent down to muster them upon surprise and has not found any
wanting and he has taken care that they be also mustered at the
Brill and by the accounts he receives he cannot find they have
been faulty. He is told [by my Lords] that the pacquet boats
carry over many goods and merchandises which encourages the
privateers to attack them. He says that what are carried over
are brought to the King's account and that most commonly
they are goods etc. for the use of the Army : and that for the
boats in Wales they are hired boats and are obliged not to stay
for goods or passengers and to make the first land in England
or Scotland.
The business of the warrant for felling 5,500l. worth of timber
in New Forest for Mr. Fitch [is considered], Lord Lovelace, Chief
Justice in Eyre, Trent South, being present. Four papers of
complaints, one of Mr. Hobby, one of Mr. Whitehead, one of
Mr. Knapton and one of some of the officers of the forest, were
all read. Ryley [replies] the officers of the Navy were here
[in London], but being commanded to Portsmouth they have left
their affidavits. Mr. Ryley's answer is read, also William Eddy's
affidavit and Thomas Podd's affidavit. He [Ryley] says that
other gentlemen are here to attest that none of the trees by him
marked are ship timber. Mr. Grey says he was at the sale and
there is not one sound tree and not one fit for the Navy [among
the trees felled] and if 20,000l. worth were cut the forest would
be better for ship timber's growth. Ryley says he found there
was such opposition against their Lordships granting the warrant
that he took extraordinary attestations of what he did. Mr.
Hoar says he saw never a tree markt but what had visible defect ;
that 500 other trees are markt for the Navy that are good. |
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The Chancellor [of the Exchequer] : If you [? Grey or Fitch]
deal with the Navy do not you buy several trees that have defects
and sell them afterwards to the Navy, for part of a tree may be
good. Answer : so much as shall be found good, when 'tis
converted. |
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Ryley : The officers of the Navy do say the defect is in the
very great age of these trees. Mr. Grey : I would not give 6s.
a ton for all the trees marked for this sale. Mr. Pelham : There
was one tree of 23 tons. Fitz [Mr. Fitch] : any gent, shall have
all these trees for 9s. a ton. |
Mr. Dickens : As to Knapton's information he says he did
not oppose the sale and he attended and did mark every tree
and signed ; so that information is false. The purveyor viewed
the tree, then came the regarders and when all agreed it was not
[fit] for ship timber the tree was marked and sold ; but whether
it was ship timber or not depends on the purveyor's judgment
and being asked whether the same course has not been observed
on all occasions he answers yes.
Burrard says that has been the practice, but the law is otherwise.
Ryley : It's verderers or regarders, and regarders are most
proper officers because they can present. Verderers are judges
and cannot. Whitehead : I am told the regarders did not know
what you did. Ryley : The warrant was entered in Lindhurst
book. The verderers did never assist at a sale.
Oxford says he has been an officer 14 years and never knew
a verderer concerned. Mr. Denys bought 10 trees and is a loser
by them ; cannot pick out of all these trees 17 elms that will
make a bean stick etc. for shipping and he'll lay 100l. that they
do not find one tree that will make a plank stock. Grey : I'll
warrant some of them have been in decay 500 years. |
Lord Godolphin : The men of the Navy all say no ship timber ;
the gentlemen say they are the best trees and they think they
will be fit for the Navy.
Mr. Denys says he is confident that Hobby or any other that
made the second view do not understand timber or a tree. |
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The Chancellor [of the Exchequer] : I believe these officers would
not take any of the trees to be sold by a private gentleman, but
these are the King's already and so much of a tree as is not fit
for the Navy may be sold and the rest taken for the Navy. |
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Gray : 500 trees better than these were felled for repairs.
Whitehead : most in Castle Mallard Walk are white timber.
Fitch : If 50,000l. worth were cut in 10 years' time the forest
would be better, for when a tree decays it will never be better. |
Lord Godolphin : I believe we are satisfied upon the head
whether ship timber or not ship timber. Mr. Hobby objects
to the manner of sale. There was no publique bidding, but only
one buyer.
Mr. Ryley's written answer as to this is read. Mr. Ryley
offers the sale itself, which is read. Mr. Dickens says we always
make publication of sales at the market towns. Ryley : In all
the sales the method is for the surveyor, woodward, regarders
[to] value the tree ; every one enters in a book and then you sell
them at those values. The woodward and regarders told me,
we proclaim the sale, mark 10 trees, and then sell. I told them
the buyers might then have them at their own rates by combining
amongst themselves. In the other method (practised in all
other forests and in private woods) the King is sure to have the
value. Don't bid against me in this bargain, and I'll not bid
against you in the next is a common thing. |
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Dickens : There was discourse between Mr. Ryley and me.
At first I told him the way of our forest should be continued.
but he giving me reasons I was convinced. The poor people
there were never able to buy a quarter. Penny : if this timber
had been to have been sold to the country people it would not
have fetched so much by 500l., but then they never would have
complained. |
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Lord Godolphin : Mr. Hobby complains if this be all felled
there won't be enough left to pay the salaries of the forest officers.
Ryley's answer, the rest of it, is read, the latter part concerning
that allegation of Mr. Hobby. He [Ryley] insists upon what
hath been proved or said, that no ship timber [was sold, and
that the trees were] not undersold and no destruction to the
forest. |
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Lord Godolphin : The regarder that was at the sale bought.
Ryley : That was only 10 trees which were said to be overvalued
and thereupon he took them at the price. Woodward [Dickens] :
he confirms this. Mr. Denys says he lost by them. Fitch :
Will any of you take these trees at the price and take six months'
time for payment? They all refuse. |
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Lord Godolphin : We'll make a report to the King and when
we have his pleasure you [the country gentlemen] shall hear
further from us. |
Ryley : If anything remains with your Lordships let my
witnesses be examined before they go out of town, where they
are at charge.
My Lords say that the [Navy and forest] officers who are the
proper officers do affirm it is not ship timber. The gentlemen
are not so well acquainted. If there be any ship timber the buyers
agreed the King should have the refusal : and [my Lords] are
satisfied the wood is well sold and far from being destruction to
the forest but a convenience to the growth of young timber.
There is no reason to continue the stop [on the sale] or give any
other orders for a further enquiry [and my Lords decide] so to
represent the matter to the King.
[Treasury Minute Book 99/1, pp. 167-9.] |
Dec. 2.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
Present : Lord Godolphin, Sir Ste. Fox, Mr. Pelham.
The Commissioners for Tin Farthings to attend on Friday
afternoon next.
The inhabitants of East Stockwith to be heard this day week.
My Lords will speak to the Navy Commissioners, the next
time they come here, about Sir Jo. Chichley's salary.
The officers of the Ordnance to attend on Friday afternoon
next.
The Customs Commissioners and Mr. Colt are called in. Mr.
Colt offers a scheme of the frauds at Bristol. Mr. Rowe offers
a paper concerning the same, which is read, being his Information.
Mr. Colt said, I appointed Mr. Row and Mr. Flight to the ship,
but at Rowe's request Thomas Ballard. Then Rowe told me
we should discover frauds and gave me information from day
to day and I acquainted Mr. Henly of it and he sent word to
Sir Robert Southwell and I myself writ to Mr. Booth about it :
July 11 a weigher told me of several hogsheads were gelded at
the scale : I bid him keep it secret : I found they cheated 5-6,000l.
last year : Rowe told me their books must be burnt or they could
not have their shares : I took a copy attested : they intended
to burn their books on gunpowder treason day : here is the copy
of the true book burned and here the false book they produce,
which shew how they disagree. I am confident they have cheated
us of near 10,000l. There is one merchant in the book you will
find very honest : all the rest are cheats. They have been in
the practice a year and a half or three-quarters.
Rowe : The jerquer told me it hath been practised two years.
The cause will be tried next term.
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Colt : The merchants are willing to make a post entry of 1,000l.
if you please. I am sure the King will get the money ; the
merchants are solvent. I desire Sawyer, the Quaker, may be
taken up if he won't give evidence without it : there was 100l.
given to a capital officer which he knows : we suppose it to be
Mr. King : Row had 283l. 10s. 0d. from Sawyer ; he saw the
jerquer have 20l. etc. : the evidence will be plain. I am sure
the King hath suffered 8-10,000l. since Lady day twelve month.
Mr. Colt says for this discovery the King promised Rowe should
be a surveyor. The prosecution is left to Hutchinson.
My Lords will represent this to the King as a good service ;
and they that have detected may expect encouragement.
[Treasury Minute Book 99/1, pp. 170-1.] |
Dec. 3.
Kensington. |
Present : the King and all my Lords.
Mr. Bertie to attend next Friday afternoon.
[Ibid, p. 172.] |
Dec. 5.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chamber. |
Present : Lord Godolphin, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Vice
Chamberlain, Sir Ste. Fox.
Mr. Rowe and partners to be heard on Tuesday afternoon next.
The Attorney General to have notice.
The Commissioners of Transports [are called in] upon a memorial
brought in on Wednesday last by his Majesty, and [my Lords]
ordered them 8,000l. on account of those services and they are
to endeavour to agree with the [ships'] masters to find the men
with provisions at so much a day per head and they are to take
care to give an account of how many days' provisions were [or
shall be] issued to the soldiers and how many days the soldiers
are on board in order to the making the deductions to the respective
Companies and Regiments.
The Earl of Ranelagh, Mr. Harbord, Mr. Fox and Mr. Blathwayt
to attend to-morrow morning with their several reports touching
the arrears of the Irish Army.
[Order for] 3,000l. to be issued to Mr. Fox upon account of the
Danish [Forces'] clothing.
Write the Commissioners of the Farthings to buy out of the
money remaining upon the balance of their account what tin
they have occasion for and to proceed in coining half pence and
farthings.
Mr. Gregor to send the tin he has bought for his Majesty to
Falmouth to be delivered to such of his Majesty's ships as shall
be ordered to receive the same and to consign it to Mr. Clarke,
the warehouse keeper at the Custom House, London.
The Admiralty [Lords are] desired to order one of their
Majesties' ships about Falmouth that is bound for London to
take on board the abovesaid tin and bring it up hither and deliver
it to Mr. Clarke as above.
[Treasury Minute Book 99/1, p. 173.]
[Out Letters (General) XII, p. 418.] |
Dec. 6.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chamber. |
Present : Lord Godolphin, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Vice
Chamberlain, Sir Ste. Fox.
Write Mr. Shales to send an account of all money by him received
and all provisions etc. by him issued to the Army or otherwise
during his employment (as Commissary General of Provisions).
The like to Mr. Robinson (as Comptroller or Commissary of
Provisions) and to Mr. Van Homrig and Mr. Feilding [for same].
[Treasury Minute Book 99/1, p. 174.]
[Out Letters (General) XII, p. 417.] |
afternoon.
At Kensington.
Present : the King, my Lords, ut supra.
[No entry of any minute.]
[Treasury Minute Book 99/1, p. 174.] |
Dec. 9.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chamber. |
Present : Lord Godolphin, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir
Ste. Fox, Mr. Pelham.
Ordered that 7,538l. 9s. 3d. for the Regiment of Macquay
and 7,619l. 12s. 7d. [?] for the Regiment of Ramsay be issued
to the Earl of Ranelagh and 5,308l. to Mr. Fox upon account
of the Regiment of [the Earl of] Angus and 100l. more to him to
be paid over to the Commissioners of Sick and Wounded on
account of the Irish prisoners from Cork.
[Ibid, p. 175.] |
Dec. 10.
Kensington. |
Present : the King, Lord Godolphin, Vice Chamberlain, Sir
Ste. Fox.
[No entry of any minute.]
[Ibid, p. 176.] |
Dec. 12.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chamber. |
Present : all my Lords.
Ordered that 15,000l. be issued to the Earl of Ranelagh to be
paid over to Sir Jos. Herne for the like sum sent by Herne by
bills to the Duke of Savoy.
My Lords will move the King on behalf of the Commissioners
for [Tin] Farthings for [reward for] their extraordinary service
in that matter.
The Excise Commissioners are called in and [are] asked what
method they will take about keeping the account of the Double
Excise. They are not prepared [to answer], but will shortly
offer to my Lords the method they intend to take in it. [My
Lords] proposed [to them to] lend 40,000l. upon the Hereditary
Excise [to register or rank for repayment] after what is now
charged [thereon]. They will consider of it and give an answer
on Monday afternoon.
Ordered that 300l. be issued to the officers of the Ordnance to be
paid by them to Mr. Abbot upon a bill of the Duke of Schomberg,
to Mris. Fawms and Mr. Morris in proportion to their (struck
through). Ordered that 400l. be issued to the Ordnance to be
paid to Mr. Abbott in part of his debt and 410l. to be paid to
Mris. Fawms in part of her debt and to Mris. Morris 70l. 10s. 0d.
in part of her debt.
[Treasury Minute Book 99/1, p. 177.] |
Dec. 13.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chamber. |
Present : Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Ste. Fox, Mr.
Pelham.
Mr. Gerey, agent to the Duke of Bolton's Regiment, to attend
on Monday afternoon next without fail.
[Ibid, p. 178.] |
Dec. 15.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chamber. |
Present : Lord Godolphin, Sir Ste. Fox, Mr. Pelham.
The Excise Commissioners are called in. They say they have
25,000l. on the Customs [ranking for repayment to them] now
next in course ; 25,000l. on the Temporary Excise [on tallies]
struck after 80,000l., and 50,000l. on the Twelve Months' Aid
[ranking] after 150,000l. [thereon] : and for answer to the proposal
of lending 40,000l. on the Hereditary Excise they say they will
lend 15,000l. this week, 10,000l. before Wednesday next and
15,000l. in two weeks after Christmas day upon the said
Hereditary Excise [to rank] after what is [already] charged
thereupon : that is to say 25,000l. at 6 per cent and the remaining
15,000l. upon such interest as shall be agreed upon.
[Ibid, p. 179.] |
Dec. 16.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chamber. |
Present : all my Lords.
Major Wildman to attend on Friday afternoon.
Ordered that 400l. be paid to Mr. Aaron Smith out of any
disposable money [in the Exchequer] except the Twelve Months'
Aid and the Double Excise.
Write Serjeant Ryly to examine and inform my Lords if the
reparations in the several forests some time since ordered be
made and if the money ordered thereupon be accordingly laid
out.
[Ibid, p. 180.]
[Out Letters (General) XII, p. 422.] |
Dec. 17.
Kensington. |
Present : the King and all my Lords.
[No entry of any minute.]
[Treasury Minute Book 99/1, p. 181.] |
Dec. 19.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chamber. |
Present : Lord Godolphin, Vice Chamberlain, Sir Ste. Fox,
Mr. Pelham.
The undertakers for providing cloth etc. for the Danish [Forces']
clothing [are called in] : they are offered [by my Lords] to have
2,000l. a week for the first three weeks in January and [such]
a fund for the remainder as shall be agreed upon. They are
to come again on Monday next and give their answer.
Sir Cha. Porter's deputy to attend on Monday next.
Mr. Bridges [is called in] upon Pereira's contract. He is told
that for the payment of the first two months there is not money
at present, but if he will make or procure a loan on the Twelve
Months' Aid the same shall be issued for that service. He will
do his best, but desires some money before the holidays.
[Ibid, p. 182.] |
Dec. 22.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
Present : Lord Godolphin, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir
Ste. Fox, Mr. Pelham.
Sir Joseph Herne called in about the payments to be made
to the Duke of Savoy. He proposes to return [to forward by
bills] the money and make punctual payments according to the
Earl of Nottingham's letter of the 18th inst. and to have tallies
for the money upon the Double Excise or to have a weekly sum
payable thereout. My Lords will acquaint his Majesty on
Wednesday and receive his directions thereupon.
Mr. Aaron Smith to attend the Attorney General and receive
his instructions touching the bill of the Aulnage now in the House
of Lords ; and to inform such of the King's learned counsel as
are not members of the House of Commons in order to their
attending the Lords House at such times as shall be appointed
(struck through) on Friday next.
Write the officers of the Ordnance not to pay any money to
any ships taken up by them and now in the King's service or
discharged, which are now in the river, until they have been
re-measured by Mr. Bowles, who has their Majesties' commission
for that service : and likewise to pay no money to the Mary
Catt, Thomas Nicholls master, at Poole till she be also measured.
Sir Hen. Goodrick acquaints my Lords that 16,000l. is due to
artificers for small arms and proposes to have 6,000l. in money
and assignments for the remainder ; which he is of opinion will
serve for an encouragement to the artificers to proceed on their
new contracts : and that his Majesty may be moved for the
continuance of the ordinary to that [the Ordnance] Office in
such proportion as his Majesty shall think fit ; and for Sir Polycar.
Wharton 1,000l. to enable him to go on with his works.
The merchants for the Danish [Forces'] clothing are called in
and are told they shall have a good fund for their money ; upon
which assurance they promise to proceed.
Mr. Blathwaite and Mr. Charles Fox to attend to-morrow
afternoon.
Mr. Butler, Sir Cha. Porter's deputy, is called in. He produced
an authority from Sir Charles for paying Mr. Evelyn his debt
out of the profits of the [First Fruits] Office with such interest as
Lord Godolphin shall appoint. A copy of that authority to Mr.
Butler is to be entered here [at the Treasury] and the original
to be re-delivered to him. He is to lay before my Lords a table
of the fees in the Office of First Fruits and Tenths.
Mr. Young to be written to to pay the salaries due to Mr.
Chair et al. (the rest of the present Commissioners of the Wine
Licences) or to give my Lords an account why he refuses the
same.
Major Wildman to hasten his reports on the several proposals
for settling a Penny Post in the country.
Ordered that 356l. 14s. 8d. be issued to Mr. Fox to be by him
paid over to the Controller [of Army Provisions] in full of the
surplus of his account.
[Treasury Minute Book 99/1, pp. 183-4.]
[Out Letters (General) XII, p. 427.] |
Dec. 23.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chamber. |
Present : all my Lords.
The Customs Commissioners to attend on Friday afternoon
next.
The Commissioners of the Prizes to attend on Friday afternoon
next.
[Treasury Minute Book 99/1, p. 185.] |
Dec. 24.
Kensington. |
Present : the King and all my Lords.
The 50,000l. formerly issued to Mr. Fox and yet undisposed of
is to be sent forthwith into Ireland to be there paid weekly
according to the proportions mentioned in a paper offered by
Mr. Blathwayte ; to commence from Jan. 1 next ; to be paid
only for the effective men found [on the muster rolls] for the
months of January and February ; and for the month of March
to be paid as full, provided they be full [on the muster roll at]
the 1st of April. This only for the recruits made in England.
In the margin : 1690, Dec. 31, the officers to be allowed 20s. a
man for recruits and upon producing 10 men to Mr. Henley at
Bristol [or] Mr. Allen at Chester [or] the Collector of Whitehaven
port [then] to enter into pay.
Mr. Dodington and his partners [in the undertaking] for the
clothing are to attend on Friday afternoon next.
Mr. Scawen and partners to attend at the same time.
The three French Regiments are to clothe themselves.
The Excise Commissioners to attend on Friday afternoon
next.
A state to be made up of what is due to the late Duke of Schonbergh
upon his several appointments and to be laid before the
King next Wednesday.
Ordered by the King that 1,000l. be paid to me [Jephson] for
the French Protestants out of the temporalities of the vacant
bishoprics.
[Ibid, p. 186.] |
Dec. 26.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chambers. |
Present : all my Lords.
Sir Joseph Herne [is called in] about returning [finding bills
of exchange for remitting] the money for the Duke of Savoy.
He offers to pay the [Duke's] Envoyé the money monthly to
begin in January and to take his repayments on the Double Excise
at 1,250l. a week, commencing from the first week in March
[next]. My Lords do not come to a conclusion upon this fund,
but will consider further of it.
Monsieur Turton to attend on Monday afternoon next.
The Commissioners of the Prizes are called in and [are] told
that the King commands an account of all their receipts and
payments. They say the account from Plymouth is come up
and they are preparing a general account, which shall be laid
before my Lords in a few days.
The Agents of the Taxes to attend on Monday afternoon next.
Ordered that 100l. be issued to Mr. Fox to be paid over to the
Commissioners of Sick and Wounded for the Irish prisoners in
the Marshalsea.
[Treasury Minute Book 99/1, p. 187.] |
Dec. 29.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chamber. |
Present : Lord Godolphin, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir
Ste. Fox, Mr. Pelham.
To move the King for money for the officers come out of Ireland
in part of their pay to make [it possible for] them [to] live : money
for the recruits ; money for subsisting the recruits ; money for
clothing the recruits.
Mr. Scawen and partners to attend to-morrow afternoon.
The Earl of Ranelagh to attend to-morrow afternoon. Lieut.
Col. Vaughan with the several tradesmen concerned in his petition
to attend at the same time.
Mr. Harbord to send my Lords a state of the manor of Reigate.
Move the King about prohibiting [Customs] officers to
visit goods at private houses, and men of war to bring any
goods.
Monsieur Turton called in about returning [forwarding by
bills] money to Savoy. He cannot advance at present so
much.
[Ibid, p. 188.]
[Out Letters (General) XII, p. 429.] |
Dec. 30.
Whitehall,
Treasury
Chamber. |
Present : all my Lords.
[No entry of any minute.]
[Treasury Minute Book 99/1, p. 189.] |
Dec. 31.
Kensington. |
Present : the King, Lord Godolphin, Chancellor of the Exchequer,
Sir Ste. Fox, Mr. Pelham.
Mr. Bridges to attend on Friday afternoon next.
A warrant for a privy seal to be prepared for 120l. per an. to
Mr. Needham, during pleasure, from the time he went out of
pay as a Page of Honour.
The Attorney General to attend on Friday afternoon.
The King orders 1,000l. per an. to be paid to the Master of
the Horse for the maintaining 10 running horses.
The King orders that money be paid to the officers come out
of Ireland in part of their pay to make them [able to] live, likewise
money for the recruits, for subsisting the recruits and for clothing
the recruits.
The King is pleased to prohibit the officers of the Customs to
visit goods at private houses and likewise prohibits men of war
to bring any goods after his [Majesty's] departure.
[Treasury Minute Book 99/1, p. 190.] |
