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April 2.
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Several proposals brought in, sealed, for farming and collecting
the Chimney money.
Tuesday week is appointed for receiving any more that shall be
offered. A final end to be then made of that business.
[Ibid. p. 99.]
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April 14.
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[Ordered] that Sir John Robinson's 1,519l. 9s. 11d. be provided
for out of the contingencies of the fifth quarter of the present [18
Months'] tax : the said sum being for the charge of keeping prisoners,
the fees of the Lieutenant [of the Tower], Gentlemen Porters and
40 Yeoman Warders, &c., for the year ended 1673, Lady Day.
The Lord Treasurer also directs that Sir John Robinson be paid
1,443l. 4s. 3d. for discharge of Gabriel Van Sas, John Wachtendunk,
Daniel Van Overschelde and Thomas Payn, Dutch prisoners of war :
same to be paid out of what money Mr. Mounteney has in his hands
for payment of pensions, &c.
[Ibid.]
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April 15.
Treasury
Chambers.
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Present : His Majesty, Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Sir Robert Howard.
Mr. Hanway called in. His proposition for the Chimney money
[is read and considered. He offers] 150,500l. per an. for three
years ; [undertaking] to advance a moiety [and demanding a]
salary of 2s. 6d. per £.
Sir William Petty's [proposition is read as follows] the survey
to be a perfect account of houses, &c., in three years : would have
2s. 6d. per £ for collecting all the revenue but Customs.
Sir James Hayes : [his proposition read as follows] to account
for the produce : shall amount to 160,000l. per an. : before
24th Novr. [? to advance] 20,000l. for every month : it may be
improved to 200,000l., the clear profit 170,000l. : not to engage. To
advance before, every year : [demands] 3s. per £ so that there
remains 170,000l. : [demands] interest at 6 [per cent.] and
[allowance or over interest at the rate of] 2 [per cent.] on the
advance [money] : an office to be kept : the charge [whereof]
3,000l. [per an. he demands to be paid] out of the 170,000l. The
fourth part of the advance to be by discharging the King from
debts.
Sir Jo. Coppleston [his proposition is read as follows] : offers
151,000l. rent [per an.]
The Lord Treasurer says the proposal of the Receivers instead of
being an advance is an anticipation of the revenue.
The arrears of this revenue are found to be 40,000l.
The King is of opinion that the several proposals should be again
thoroughly considered before any resolution be taken.
The Lord Treasurer is of opinion that Sir Jo. Coppleston's
proposal is the most advantageous but questions whether it will
prove so convenient.
Sir Jo. Coppleston called in : (1) Among their covenants for
defalcations [demandable for any contingencies] of fire, war and
plague, war [is agreed] to be admitted : (2) The Chancellor of the
Exchequer thinks it inconvenient that the new officers should break
in upon the half-year's collection.
Mr. Perry, Anselme and Buckley called in who confess themselves
that some inconveniences may attend the King upon the
alterations of the hands [or collectors].
On Monday afternoon [ordered] to hear at Wallingford House
the proposals of the Receivers again, also of Mr. Perry, Anselme
and Mr. Buckley.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 100-1.]
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April 18.
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By the Lord Treasurer's command a letter [is written] to Sir
Robert Howard to proceed in the payment of the Band of Pensioners
notwithstanding the order for the stop of payments.
A letter to Sir Stephen Fox to pay 500l. to the Earl of Rochester,
and 100l. to Mr. Hubblethorne.
A letter to the Treasurer of the Navy for [so much] for the
freight of vessels to bring over Lord Duras's troop.
The Lord Treasurer will take care that so soon as tallies are
struck for payment of the Barbados regiment they shall be [made]
preferable to all others. Major Andros is contented to assign his
privy seal, for that purpose, to Commissary Baines, who accepts
thereof.
[Ibid. p. 102.]
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April 20.
Wallingford
House.
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Present : Lord Treasurer, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Ro.
Howard, Sir Ch. Harbord.
On Thursday morning Sir Jo. Coppleston and partners are to
attend the Lord Treasurer at Wallingford House and also the
[present] Collectors [of the Hearthmoney] to receive the King's
answer to their proposals.
The Auditor of the rates [ratals of the fee farm rents is] to make
[up an account of] what is wanting in the fee farm rents to [meet
the debt owing to] Lord St. John and his partners [in the late
intended farm of the Customs : together with an accompt of] what
rents are remaining [still unsold or uncontracted for which may be
applied] to make up that value.
Mr. Brent, Mr. Lyndsay, and Sir Thomas Player are called in.
Auditor Aldworth [is ordered] to make it appear to the Lord
Treasurer what rents and nomine decimae rents are unsold and how
much thereof is necessary to be reserved for pensions and what
remains to make up the said values.
The Auditor of the rates is to inform the Lord Treasurer what
[Lancaster] Duchy rents are remaining unsold that are vested in
the Trustees [for Fee Farms, viz. both] in possession and reversion.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 102-3.]
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April 21.
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The Customs Commissioners are to attend the Lord Treasurer
to-morrow morning.
The officers of the Works are to be sent for about the repairs of
the King's stables.
A warrant to the Trustees of the Fee Farm rents to pass the rates
[the ratals of the rents contracted for, &c.].
Warrants for 1,000l. for the service of his Majesty's yachts and
barges.
Hilton's petition concerning the abuses of the under officers of
the Excise in Lancashire, with the [Excise] Commissioners'
report thereon, are to be sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
[Ibid. p. 103.]
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April 22.
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Summon Mr. Taylor, of Windsor, to appear next week before the
Lord Treasurer about the place of Receiver [of the Honor and
Castle of Windsor], and that he bring his patent or a copy of it with
him.
Sir C. Harbord to be summoned about Mr. Taylor's receipt.
Sir Chr. Wren and Mr. Hugh May are also to be summoned about
the surveyorship of Windsor.
A stop to be put to the felling of the 40 trees formerly ordered
for repair of Windsor bridge.
Mris. Cooper's business to be heard on Friday next.
The Lord Treasurer will settle Mr. Tregonell's debt of 400l. and
80l. 10s. 0d. (due [to said Tregonell] on two several orders) upon
some [sufficient] fund : having received His Majesty's directions
from Secretary Coventry to that purpose.
The same to be done likewise for Sir Ch. Cotterell's debt of
2,337l.
[Ibid. pp. 103-4.]
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April 23.
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The Lord Treasurer appoints Saturday morning next for Sir Jno.
James, Major Huntingdon and Mr. Kingdom to be summoned to
Wallingford House. Lord Widdrington and Mr. Finch to be desired
to attend at the same time, these latter to bring with them such
witnesses as will prove the allegations exhibited against the Excise
Commissioners. Sir John Duncomb to be summoned [to attend]
at the same time.
Chimney contract.
Agreed by the new contractors for the Chimney money Mr. Abr.
Anselme, Mr. Jo. Pery and Mr. Edwd. Buckley, to pay 30,000l. in
May next, 1674, 40,000l. in June, and 30,000l. in July following [as
advance on their farm] and if the King shall require it 25,000l. to
be advanced the 20th of Nov. next, 1674.
If the King uses the 25,000l. in Nov., 1674, then the first 50,000l.
to be repaid by 25,000l. in March, 1674-5, and 25,000l. in Sept.,
1675, and the remaining part, being 75,000l., to be repaid out of
the last half year of the farm, but if the King shall not borrow the
25,000l. in Nov. aforesaid then the repayment in March and
September to be only 12,500l. in each of the said months. The
rent per an. is 151,000l.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 104, 106.]
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April 24.
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Memorandum : That whereas it is proposed that 30,000l. should
be paid by the now contractors of the Chimney money in the month
of May next it is agreed that 10,000l. of the said 30,000l. shall be
paid on or before the last of this present April and 20,000l. only in
the month of May following.
It is likewise agreed by the contractors that whereas they did
propose to farm the [Hearthmoney] revenue for 4½ years from
Michaelmas next they shall covenant with the King that he may
re-enter upon it at the expiration of three years from that time if
His Majesty please, giving the contractors three months' notice
before [hand] and a reward of 10,000l. for their pretension of holding
it three half years longer.
[Ibid. p. 106.]
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April 25.
Wallingford
House.
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Present : Lord Treasurer, Sir John Duncomb, Attorney General,
Solicitor General.
Mr. Ed[ward] Wig (Wigg), merchant, called in and his petition
is read containing complaint against both the Excise Commissioners
and the new Farmers of the Excise.
Major Huntingdon, Mr. Kingdon, and Sir John James [the said
Commissioners of Excise] are called in. Mr. Kingdon says there
are great mistakes in that part of the petition which concerns the
Treasurers of the Excise and desires a copy of Mr. Wigg's petition :
which the Lord Treasurer orders accordingly.
On Thursday morning Mr. Wigg and the Treasurers of Excise
are to be heard at Wallingford House. Both parties are to be heard
by Counsel. The Attorney and Solicitor General to be present.
Warrant [ordered] for striking tallies for 10,000l. on the Four
and a Half per cent. [duty in the Barbados] for payment of the
arrears due to Sir Tobias Bridge's regiment late in the Barbados.
And the Lord Treasurer promises 2,000l. more if the former
[abovesaid] 10,000l. will not discharge the said arrears, or [he
promises] so much as will discharge the arrear.
The Lord Treasurer directs 5,000l. to the Treasurer of the Navy
to be [by him] paid to the Victuallers out of such money as Mr.
Mounteney detains in his hands by reason of the stop.
The following sums are ordered by the Lord Treasurer for the
public ministers [ambassadors].
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£
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s.
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d.
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Mr. Henshaw
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910
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0
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0
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Sir Edw. Wood
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500
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0
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0
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Sir William Swan
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500
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0
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0
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Sir Jo. Paul
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300
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0
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0
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Mr. Bradly, Consul of Tripoli
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100
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0
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0
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Mr. Martin, Consul of Algiers
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50
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0
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0
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[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, p. 107.]
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April 27.
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On [the consideration of the case of] Mr. Crisp's ship [ordered
that there be] no forfeiture [and] that the goods be admitted [to
entry] for this time.
Memorandum : There is 2,000l. or 3,000l. in the hands of the
Collector of Yarmouth : if there can be any use made of it.
Weld's petition is referred to the Customs Commissioners, as also
the case of the Spanish merchants mentioned in a late order of
Council.
Warrant for 200l. for the building (erased) repairing the Cockpit :
to be ordered out of some of the contingencies [of one of the
quarters of the present Eighteen Months' tax].
[Ibid. p. 108.]
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April 30.
Wallingford
House.
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Present : Lord Treasurer, Attorney General, Solicitor General.
Mr. Wig and the Excise Commissioners are called in. The
Commissioners' answer to Wig's petition is read. Mr. Wigg's
Counsel says that the Commissioners advanced 65,000l. at least, if
not 75,000l. Mr. Huntingdon transacted the contract, the money
to be paid back to Duncomb and Bartlett by Xmas next. Further
he says .... Duncomb and Bartlet confess the sum advanced was
upon the credit of the running cash, the Commissioners [being]
named in a paper for 7/32 parts of the farm.
The Solicitor General says the answer the Commissioners give
is not at all probable. The taking in Mr. Rowney [is] a cause of
suspicion, he being not reputed of credit to raise such a sum. Mr.
Noel believed to be privy to the whole transaction.
Mr. Noel sworn : denies his knowledge of any agreement for
7/32 parts but confesses he saw a paper which showed Mr. Rowny
was concerned in 7/32 [parts of the Farm]. Major Huntingdon was
with Mr. Rowny more than once to attend him in this matter.
Mr. Noel says that Mr. Rowney manages some estate for Major
Huntingdon. To the best of his memory Mr. Rowny was to
advance 40,000l.
Mr. Wigg sworn, says that Mr. Duncomb showed him a paper
wherein 7/32 parts were set down to the Commissioners, and said that
he had that paper from one of the Commissioners.
Mr. Kent says Mr. Duncomb told him that the Commissioners
had advanced the money for 7/32 parts to the new Farmers [of the
Excise] and so Sir Stephen Fox could not be supplied [with
money for the forces, out of the Excise] as was formerly done.
Mr. Parsons says that Major Huntingdon told him that they
were to advance 50,000l. but that it was not for the running cash.
He says Mr. Bartlett owns the advance of the 60,000l. or 70,000l.
to [sic for by] the Commissioners.
Mr. Sutton being asked if he had any benefit in the farm answers
he was promised a 1/16th part but it was refused.
Mr. Price says he paid in some advance money and was promised
1/32 part.
Mr. Turner says he heard Mr. Vincent say there was 7/32 [parts]
disposed of to one Mr. Rowny and in discourse that it was for the
benefit of the Commissioners.
Mr. Ramsey says he discoursed with Major Huntingdon
frequently about taking a part in this farm, but all was in Mr.
Rowny's name, but that he could not apprehend Mr. Rowny should
have so many parts in his own right.
Col. Peacock declares that Mr. Rowney told him he had a share
with some others but he knows not who they were.
Mr. Rowny says he advanced 25,000l. on his own and friends'
account, on his own 3,000l., but refuses to discover who those other
persons are : of Drs. and University men he borrowed 10,000l. :
Major Huntingdon procured him 7/32 part in the new farm, upon
which happened a difference, and afterwards [he] made an agreement
with them for 7,500l. per an. He says the persons concerned
with him were to have their proportions alike and that Major
Huntingdon did lend him the greatest part of the money, which
was 15,000l., upon bond ; that Major Huntingdon was never bound
with him : that Mr. Gow advanced some money and after [wards]
fell of[f]. Major Huntingdon had notes of him for the money but
knows not if there be any at present remaining in his hands.
Mr. Parsons says if there were any benefit to be made of the
running cash it was to be divided among five.
Mr. King, Counsel for the Commissioners, says the Commissioners
did agree to lend 50,000l. to the Farmers, provided they
might have the benefit of the running cash for three years. The
Farmers gave bond for repayment at Midsummer come twelve
month. The Commissioners did propose to the Farmers to receive
the money.
It was objected the Commissioners had not only the running
cash but also 7/32 parts.
The Commissioners do affirm that they had no share directly nor
indirectly.
Mr. Rowny hath had in the office 20,000l. at a time.
It was objected Mr. Bostock should say that the 50,000l. was not
lent upon the running cash. The note was signed for the running
cash but by a postscript it was changed and that the consideration
of the 50,000l. was not upon the running cash.
Mr. King says, moreover : supposing the Commissioners had a
share with Mr. Rowney it's no breach till Midsummer next, and
affirms that if they had a share 'tis not within the [jurisdiction of
the] Act of Parliament. The money lent [to] the Farmers was most
of it paid at Duncomb and Bartlett's shop.
The Lord Treasurer says that the discourse he has had with
Duncomb and Bartlett will much interfere with what has been said
on behalf of the Commissioners.
[British Museum Additional MS. 28,077, pp. 108-11.]
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