|
|
|
Mar. 2.
|
The Customs Commissioners and Mr. Sewell called in. The
petition and articles of the town of Minehead against Daniell Sewell,
collector of that port, are read. A copy of the articles is ordered
to be given to Sewell. The matter to be heard this day week.
Memorandum : That 63l. are deducted out of the 22,000l. claimed
by the late contractors upon account of a bill drawn by Col. Butler
for 63l. on the said contractors.
Remind the Lord Treasurer to speak with the Secretary of State
about the passes for ships.
Send to the [Customs] Commissioners to know when they first
gave notice of the prohibition for transporting coals over sea in
reference to Sir William Blackett's case.
The Lord Treasurer to speak with Sir Hugh Cholmely and Mr.
Pepys about the proposal of carrying goods from St. Malo to
Tangier.
[Ibid. pp. 87-8.]
|
|
Mar. 3.
|
The proposals concerning the Forest of Dean [are ordered] to be
offered to the King for his approbation [viz. as follows] : (1) to have
a supervisor of the woods and bow bearer whose salary is to be
100l. per an. ; (2) six keepers at 20l. per an. each ; (3) an allowance of
30l. per an. for repair of gates and fences ; (4) the ironworks to be
demolished ; (5) the materials of those ironworks to be employed
towards building lodges for the aforesaid keepers ; which together
with 100l. in money will serve to build the said lodges.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, p. 88.]
|
|
Mar. 3.
|
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord
Arundell, Sir Cha. Harbord, the Solicitor General, Sergeant
Maynard, Earl of Bath, Attorney General, Attorney of the Duchy
[of Cornwall], Sir Peter Killegrew, Mr. Tregagle.
[The conclusions of the Committee of reference concerning the
law of the Stannaries are given in as follows] : (1) the King hath
power to buy all tin ; (2) the King must buy at the coinage [? rate or
Hall]. Sergeant Maynard says whosoever brings tin to be transported,
without the stamp, forfeits it. The Solicitor General says they find
several records which prove that if any man exports uncoined tin 'tis
seizable and forfeitable. As for Pre-emption the King's Counsel
affirm they find no footsteps to warrant the King's right in
that particular.
The Earl of Bath [Lord Warden of the Stannaries] reads a
petition of the year 1661, from the tinners to the [late] Treasurer
Southampton wherein they offer 10s. in every hundred in lieu of all
duties except Customs.
The convocators are called in. The Lord Treasurer says the
King desires to come to a fair accommodation with the country and
my Lord desires to know how far they are empowered to treat. The
convocators answer, the letter to the Lord Warden shows their
instructions. My Lord tells them that the King hath a right of
seizing all uncoined tin as his learned Counsel are of opinion. He
acquaints them with the King's power of emption which ought to
induce them to a compliance with His Majesty, and further
acquaints them with the proposal made in Treasurer Southampton's
time of raising the coinage duty from 4s. to 10s. in lieu of all duties
except Customs.
Sir John Coryton says the reason of offering the King 10s. in
Treasurer Southampton's time was because tin gave a greater price
than now it does.
The letter and petition from the convocators in 1661 was read
before them. Mr. Buscawen says there was a price agreed then at
4l. 10s. stannary weight. The wages for tinners are higher now
than formerly. He says that the property of the tin is in the
subject and not in the Crown. He says the 4 per cent. was granted
by the King to [sic for to the King by] the tinners in consideration
of their charter.
Sergeant Maynard says the King may have by his prerogative the
universal property of the mines. He further insists that in
Henry III's, time the King did prohibit the transportation nisi
cuneo nostro sit signatum.
The Attorney General says the end of the coinage is lost if
uncoined tin be permitted to be exported, and the reputation of the
commodity will fall. As for the [pre-]emption he concluded that
if the King will buy he may, viz. at a reasonable price.
The Solicitor General says as to the coinage 'tis not enough to
pay the duty but the tin must have the King's stamp upon it, and
[he] shows the inconvenience that would arise if it were otherwise,
and instances in several records [and] concludes that 'tis not lawful
to carry any away unless it be coined. And as for the exportation
he says that in Henry III. 'tis said none is to be exported without
the licence of the bailiff.
Mr. Buscawen says the tinners stand upon their privileges and
the law, and that they may cast into bars as well as into dishes, &c. ;
and further says that they will join with the King to prevent frauds.
The Lord Treasurer desires them to acquaint the Convocation with
the debate, and commands a fair accommodation expecting the
Convocation answer upon the whole matter.
The pewterers' petition is read. Mr. Buscawen says that the
tinners will most willingly join with the pewterers in preventing the
falsification of the tin. The pewterers say that the small bars are
frequently falsifed, and that they buy the same quantities in small
bars cheaper than in blocks.
The Lord Treasurer proposes an accommodation betwixt the King
and the country, and desires an answer 14 days after their meeting
at the next Convocation. The proposition to be given to the
Convocators.
Nicholas Sanders, Collector of Truro, is to be removed. Capt.
Peter Courtney is humbly proposed by the Earl of Bath and Mr.
Tregeagle as a very fit person for that employment.
Sir William Strode's business of the Lambhay is referred to
Sir C. Harbord on the King's part and to such other person as
Sir William Strode shall nominate : [who are] to report the state of
that matter to the Lord Treasurer.
A letter to be drawn from the Lord Treasurer to the Earl of Bath,
taking notice of a former [letter] directed to said Earl from the
King : and [informing him of] the substance of this day's debate
concerning the tin [and further informing him that the Lord
Treasurer expects] the Convocators' answer in 14 days after their
next meeting.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 88-91.]
|
|
March 5.
|
The Lord Treasurer directs Sir John Banks's order for 260l. (for
interest) to be paid out of the contingencies of the second quarter
[of the present Eighteen Months' tax].
"My Lord be pleased to settle Sir John Berrie's 1,740l. upon
some list."
[Ibid, p. 91.]
|
|
March 8.
|
Send for Sir John Banks to [be with] the Lord Treasurer tomorrow
morning.
Give the Lord Treasurer an account of the fourth quarter [of the
present Eighteen Months' tax] with all speed to [enable him to]
know what is already paid in and what [remains] in arrear.
[Ibid.]
|
March 9.
Wallingford
House.
|
Present : Lord Treasurer, Marquess of Worcester, Chancellor of
the Exchequer, Surveyor General [of Crown Lands.]
After a long debate concerning the Forest of Dean [it was]
resolved that a respite be put upon the sale of [the timber of] any
part of the Lea Bayly for the present.
Mr. William Hanway at the Black Spread Eagle in Drury Lane
offers 5s. per cord if he fell the timber himself, or 6s. 4d. if the
King fell and cord it.
The Lord Treasurer directs that the Commissioners of the Navy
give an accompt how many ships and of what rate they judge may
be built out of the timber in the said Lea Bayly.
Sir John Banks engages to furnish the Lord Treasurer with
10,000l. this week towards present occasions, and hopes to do as
much for the next week.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 91-2.]
|
|
March 10.
|
The Lord Treasurer directs that 20,000l. be issued by warrant for
the service of the Navy, upon accompt ; to be satisfied by levying
of tallies on Alderman Backwell to be paid out of the first moneys
of the 800,000 patacons to be paid by the States General of the
the United Provinces.
The Lord Treasurer directs 10,000l. for Sir John Banks on the
Treasurer of the Navy's orders : to be issued out of the payment of
the 800,000 patacons.
Articles between the King, Mr. Hanway and Mr. Alderman Forth :
the 10th of March, 1673-4.
(1) That for so much cord wood as shall be cut in the Lea
Bayly in three years Mr. Hanway obliges himself to take it away
in manner following : as agreed unto this day by said Hanway
and Forth.
(2) That the measure of the cord be according to the return
of the Commission, and that to be at the time of the cording.
(3) That the wood be corded within 14 days after cutting and
cleaving.
(4) That when 500 cord or upwards shall be cut and so
corded as aforesaid Mr. Hanway be obliged to take it into his
custody and the King to be discharged of it.
(5) The price to be paid for the short cord as aforesaid is to
be 5s., and 1s. 4d. more for cutting the same.
(6) To advance for the cutting and cleaving it the rate of
1s. 4d. per cord for 500 cord at the beginning of cutting, and
so from time to time upon every 500 cord.
(7) The 5s. per cord to be paid one moiety at the time of
delivering it into his custody as aforesaid, and the other moiety
at the clearing of the ground : which ground shall be cleared
in six months after cording.
(8) That Mr. Hanway be at the charge of cording over and
above the 1s. and 4s. for cutting and cleaving.
(9) Articles to be drawn wherein Mr. William Hanway and
Mr. Alderman John Forth, of London, are to be bound for
performance of these covenants : and bonds to be given
for 2,000l.
[Ibid. pp. 92-3.]
|
|
March 11.
|
The Lord Treasurer orders Capt. William Fordred to be the next
landwaiter in Bristol port when a vacancy is presented by the
Customs Commissioners.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, p. 93.]
|
|
March 12.
|
Warrant for 10,000l. [to the Navy Treasurer] on the fifth quarter
of the Eighteen Months' assessment : [to be] for the Victuallers.
To remind the Lord Treasurer for this year's establishment for
Tangier, on the Customs ; when his Lordship makes a new list.
To move the King that out of the last money payable out of the
last quarter of the Eighteen Months' tax in co. Hereford (which
money is difficult to be got in) Madam Hamilton and Col. Birch be
satisfied for their orchard.
[Ibid.]
|
|
March 14.
|
Present : Lord Treasurer, Viscount Ranelagh.
That as to the 500l. desired by the Lord Lieutenant [of Ireland]
for building, if it can be conveniently spared out of the money for
the Marine Regiment, considering the charge newly laid thereupon,
that the Lord Lieutenant may take it out of that money. But otherwise
that it be charged upon the Concordatums as hath been usual.
Write the Lord Lieutenant and therein particularly to remember
that there be no remittal of the quit rents before the expiration of
the present farm : and to make the enquiry into the quit rents
according to the method proposed by the Lord Lieutenant.
Memorandum : to send for Mr. Harbord to attend the Lord
Treasurer concerning coining of farthings in Ireland.
That the Lord Treasurer inquire concerning the intrinsic value of
the new farthings lately coined to compare them with the former,
and that Mr. Doyly be sent for to the Lord Treasurer in this
matter, and also the Master of the Mint.
Order for 1,000l. to Mr. Le Gouche presently out of some of the
contingencies [of the quarters of the present Eighteen Months'
tax] : his arrears [due to him are] to be placed upon some secure
funds.
Mr. Griffin to have 7,500l. upon the Excise next in course after
what is charged on the new farm.
To wait on the Lord Keeper with Alderman Forth's petition, the
Lord Treasurer desiring said Lord Keeper to give him his opinion
in that matter to-morrow at the Committee for Foreign Affairs.
On Tuesday afternoon to consider the defalcations of the Irish
[Revenue] Farmers.
Write a note upon the objections made against the instructions
[issued] by the King's Commissioners, of the Revenue in Ireland.
The Lord Treasurer to be put in mind to consider the whole
matter of the Lord Lieutenant's last letter.
[Ibid. pp. 93-4.]
|
|
March 16.
|
To discourse with the Chancellor of the Exchequer of Sir Charles
Wheler's business, of his petition and accounts.
A warrant to be drawn for 2,400l. per an. to the Duke of Buckingham
for 21 years upon that part of Excise that is settled by Act of
Parliament upon the King and his heirs : being in consideration of
his Mastership of the Horse, and the 2,500l. per an. out of Ireland :
and likewise one for 1,500l. per an. upon the same fund during life.
The Lord Treasurer to write to the Customs Commissioners to
make some proposals to him for the settling a trade at Tangier,
the Composition trade at Dover and the proposal of Humphry
Willett for the importation of French merchandizes.
Mr. Sewell's articles and answer are to be referred to the
[Customs] Commissioners to report whether they think him fit to
be employed in any other Custom House place.
Mr. Harmar (Harman) to be restored to his place of landwaiter in
London port.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 94-5.]
|
|
March 17.
|
A letter to be written to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland pursuant
to the minutes in the foregoing page, and also concerning the [Irish
Revenue] Farmers' accounts [viz.] that his Excellency would direct
the taking them [the said accounts] both the ways mentioned in
the contracts : ride clause.
[Ibid. p. 95.]
|
March 19.
Treasury
Chambers.
|
Present : Lord Treasurer, Marquess of Worcester, Chancellor of
the Exchequer, Lord Chief Baron.
Sir Baynham Throckmorton makes a proposal concerning the
draining of Wawmore in the Forest of Dean, containing 200 acres,
and alleges if drained would become good land and those that use
it at present have no right of commonage and those who have [such
right of commonage] live too remote from it ; he concludes that
the draining of this would bear the charges the King is at in
preserving the forest. Upon the debate of the whole matter, the
Lord Treasurer was of opinion that this proposal is unpracticable
and not warranted by the Act of Parliament.
The Lord Treasurer to give directions for the 300l. for building
of lodges in the Forest of Dean.
The report from Sir Ch. Harbord and Mr. Bampfield is read in
relation to the demands of Sir William Strode for a parcel of ground
called Lambhay situate near the fort of Plymouth. The Lord
Treasurer directs that the case be stated and that afterwards a
report be drawn up to be presented to the King.
The Lord Treasurer will recommend Mr. Henry Fanshaw's
petition to the King.
Tuesday week appointed to consider the arrears of the taxes
uncollected ; the Lord Chief Baron, Mr. Laurence, and Mr.
Fillingham to be summoned.
[Ibid, pp. 95-6.]
|
|
March 20.
|
The Lord Treasurer orders the first 10,000l. of the 20,000l.
designed for the Victuallers upon the fifth quarter of the Eighteen
Months' Assessment to be paid to the Treasurer of the Navy.
Write to the Customs Commissioners to inform the Lord Treasurer
what retrenchment may be made in the charge of management and
collection of the Customs, and how far the patent officers may be
serviceable and useful to this end.
Sir John Shaw to pay 620l. remaining [in his custody] upon
[account of his receipts of] the Coinage duty before he receives the
money appointed to be paid to him at Midsummer by Mr. Mounteney.
|
|
March 24.
|
Order for 2,600l. for Sir Lionell Jenkins and Sir Jo. Williamson :
Mr. Perwich [similarly ordered] 200l. out of the 50,000l. reserved
upon the Custom [payments] list for ambassadors and presents.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, p. 96.]
|
The Lord Treasurer forbids the burning of prohibited goods
to be in force "till the sum of 500l. be raised and no further," Mr.
Dewy to give an account weekly.
Mr. Lyndsay to be sent for.
Write Sir Robert Howard for a list of all salaries or persons payable
in the Exchequer or by tallies of pro, and to despatch it
immediately.
A like letter to all other places [offices, such] as the Customs,
Excise, &c. ; and to the Navy, Ordnance, Cofferer of the Household,
Great Wardrobe, Sir Stephen Fox, Treasurer of the Chamber, Paymaster
of the Works, Treasurer of Tangier, &c. Likewise send to
all those places [offices] for particulars of the ordinary expenses,
and what extraordinaries they can foresee for this present year
in their [respective] offices.
Mr. Bertie to give the Lord Treasurer an account how each
branch of the revenue is charged by anticipation, and for what time
any of the offices are already provided by assignments, &c.
[Order for tallies for] 3,000l. to Mr. du Teil for the galleys : [to
be charged] on the sixth quarter [of the present Eighteen Months'
tax] after 127,000l. [already charged thereon].
[Ibid. pp. 96-7.]
|
March 24.
Treasury
Chambers.
|
A paper concerning the regulation of fees in the Exchequer [is
brought in and] to be signed by the Lord Treasurer.
Col. Birch to be paid (for charge laid out upon the orchard) by a
tally to be struck on the Receiver [of the Eighteen Months' tax]
of the county of Hereford, on the last money payable to His Majesty
there out of the present Eighteen Months' assessment : which
money appears to be due, [as appears] upon the accompt delivered
in by Col. Birch and Mris. Hamilton.
On Thursday morning to consider the defalcations of the old
Farmers of Excise. The Lord Keeper, Sir George Downing and
the King's Counsel [the Attorney General, &c.] to be summoned.
[Ibid. p. 97.]
|
1674.
March 25.
|
The Lord Treasurer orders Sir Allen Apsley's debt of 1,800l. to
be placed [charged for repayment] upon the new farm of the Excise
next and immediately after the 20,000l. for the Cofferer of the
Household.
On Friday, the 27th inst., the present Farmers of the [London]
Excise, Sir Geo. Downing and Col. Birch, are to be summoned
touching money in the [Excise] Farmers' hands, both upon the
old and new duty, as appears upon the Auditor's state [of said
Farmers' accompt].
[Ibid.]
|
|
March 27
|
Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord
Chief Baron, Attorney and Solicitor General, Sir Rob. Howard,
Sir Geo. Downing, and the present Farmers of the London Excise.
The [said] Farmers allege that upon the whole farm expiring at
Midsummer next they do not owe above 25,000l. to the King [after
taking into] account their advance money. Col. Birch [is ordered]
to make up the Farmers' account by the calendar month. Three
months and eight days insisted upon by the Farmers as days of
grace. Col. Birch [is ordered] to draw up a state of the whole three
years' rent due from them, giving allowance for quarterly payments.
(In the margin : Letters then writ to him.)
Upon the 9d. per barrel Col. Birch charges the Farmers with
46,000l. and odd money.
Alderman Breedon confesseth the bargain of 54,000l. [for the
9d. per barrel] but says there was afterwards a bargain made by
Lord Clifford and Sir John Duncomb under their hands which some
of their [the Farmers'] partners insist on.
Upon the debate now [had] concerning the money given in upon
the state of [their account as prepared by] Auditor Birch, as in
arrear and owing by the present Farmers of the London Excise
[up to] 25 Dec., 1673, it was ordered that the said Farmers do forthwith
give to the Auditor an accompt of all moneys already paid or
to be paid within the time of their farm ending 24 June, 1674,
wherein the said Auditor is to take special care that he give no
allowance to the said Farmers for any money paid by way of
pensions since 21 March, 1673-4, and that the said Auditor do
compute the payment of salaries and other incident charges yet to
come for Lady Day and Midsummer [quarters] according to the
usual quarterly payments of that nature already passed ; and that
the said Farmers give the Auditor an accompt of all their payments
forthwith ; so that the Auditor may attend the Lord Treasurer with
the said state on Thursday afternoon next : in which state the
Auditor is to charge the said Farmers with 54,000l. yearly for the
9d. per barrel imposed by the Act of Parliament. (In the margin :
Letter then wrote to them.)
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, p. 98.]
|
