Volume 10: September 1-October 31, 1690

Pages 133-142

Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 1, 1556-1696. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1868.

Citation:

September 1–October 31, 1690



Sept. 1.	1. Letter by command of the Lords of the Admiralty to Mr. Jephson, enclosing a copy of an estimate, prepared by the Navy Board, of the wages which would be due to their Majesties' first and second rate ships on the last of that month, to be laid before the Lords of the Treasury. Dated 1 Sept. 1690. Also the estimate. 1½ pages.
Sept. 5.	2. “A state of the case between Doctor John Jones and Abraham Rottermondt,” with relation to the posts of apothecary to the household and apothecary to the person. Dated 5 Sept. 1690. The petition of Dr. Jones, praying that neither Rottermondt, nor any one else, might be admitted into his employment. Minuted:—“To be lay'd before the King.” 2 pages.
Sept. 8.	3. Letter by command of the Lords of the Admiralty, sending, to the Lords of the Treasury, a bond given by Mr. Woolfe, and two other merchants of London, to procure 30 mariners for their Majesties' service at Portsmouth, in consideration of a liberty given for two ships to proceed to Russia; no certificate having been produced of the delivery of the mariners. Dated 8 Sept. 1690. Docquetted:—“From the Admiralty, with a forfeited bond of 100l. from Woolfe, Lenten, & Caulier.” Minuted:—“M^r Smith is to putt this bond in suit.” ¾ page.
Sept. 11.	4. Presentment of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, laying before them the case of Mr. Mark Wildbore, late collector of the port of Whitehaven, praying their Lordships' directions about repaying him for a disbursement made for the hire of the ship “Deliverance,” of Whitehaven, by command of the Lords of the Treasury, to carry arms from that port to Ireland. Dated 11 Sept. 1690. Minuted:—“The cashier of the customs if it appear due, to pay it & place it to the account of incidents.” An order of the Com^rs of Customs to the collector to hire the said ship. 2½ pages.
[About Sept. 16.]	5. Petition of the Hon. the Lady Margaret Hay, administratrix to William, late Earl of Kinnoul, and sister to the Earl, addressed to the Lords of the Treasury; praying to be heard by counsel upon her two petitions touching a grant of an annuity out of the duty of 4½ per cent., and the grant of the duty of all potashes, smalts, and borillia. Minuted:—“16 Sept^r 1690. To be heard on Monday next afternoone.” 1 page.
Sept. 16.	6. Letter, signed “Rich^d Savage, in the absence of M^r Sansom,” addressed to William Jephson, Esq., Secretary of the Lords of the Treasury; sending a copy of the Com^rs presentment of 9 July, for remission of the tax on the officers' salaries. Dated 16 Sept. 1690. Accompanied by the copy. 4 leaves.
[About Sept. 17.]	7. Petition of Dorothy Hubblethorne, widow and relict of Col. John Hubblethorne, deceased, showing that King Charles the Second settled a pension of 200l. per annum for the maintenance of her children, in consideration of the services of her husband, who was slain in the last Dutch war, but she had received no benefit from her pension for the last three years; praying for present relief. Minuted:—“To be consider'd when the King settles the establishment of Ireland.” “Brought in by y^e King, 17 Septemb^r 1690.” Accompanied by another paper entitled “Mrs. Hubblethorne's case.” 2 pages.
Sept. 19.	8. Letter of Francis, Archbishop of Dublin, to Sir Stephen Fox, one of the Com^rs of their Majesties' revenue at the Treasury Chamber, applying for an officer to view the parcels he designed to send by Chester into Ireland, and for a permit for them, and a coach and six horses, in order that they might be allowed to pass without the vexation and trouble of a search from the custom-house officers. He says that in Ireland, where he had lost so much, he was obliged to procure a little conveniency of living, and feared the rigour of these officers would make every pair of shoes that were not cobbled new, unless relieved by an order. Dated 19 Sept. 1690. 1½ pages.
Sept. 19.	9. Petition of Thomas Harrison, pavior, showing that he was thrown into prison, and his wife and children turned out of doors, and praying the order of the Lords of the Treasury for the payment of 72l. 16s. 9d., due for paving in St. James' Park and the Tilt Yard. With Sir Christopher Wren's report endorsed on it in his favour. Dated 19 Sept. 1690. Minuted:—“To be p^d by M^r Lloyd, Payma^r of Works, when money is ordered.” ½ sheet.
Sept. 19.	10. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury on the petition of William Gore, merchant, who prayed to be allowed to import certain indigo of inferior quality, having paid the duty on its importation two years before: declining to advise their Lordships to make the abatement. Dated 19 Sept. 1690. Minuted:—“Agreed to.” Accompanied by the petition. 2 pages.
Sept. 19.	11. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury upon a letter from Col. Stede, receiver of their Majesties' casual revenue in Barbadoes, also addressed to the Lords of the Treasury, praying liberty to come over for his health, stating that they could not, on so pressing an occasion, deny him liberty to come, and so gave him permission to appoint a deputy in his absence. Dated, 19 Sept. 1690. Minuted:—“Agreed to.” The Com^rs letter to him in answer to his letter, which is also united. It states that he had received their Lordships' commands to his Excellency Col. James Kendall, Captain-General and Commander-in-Chief of that island, who had arrived on 12 May, and if this were not an uncertain conveyance (there being but two or three small ships of little force without convoy,) he would have sent their Lordships the account of receipts of the casual revenue to Christmas last, but hoped to do so with more safety by the next fleet, which would sail with a convoy. He then gives an account of what had happened up to the 24th of July, viz., that little had been received by him, and he could not make so speedy a return as their Lordships expected, for bills of exchange were from 15l. to 20l. per cent. in exchange, and not to be purchased at that rate from good men that would comply duly with their payment; there were enough of others that would not so comply at something more moderate, who would take money and give their bills, which would never be paid but with long time and great difficulty, and those he avoided, for few men of credit and ability had effects in England for want of ships to carry their produce thither. This and the last year had brought such plentiful crops of all things that this island produced, that it was there of little value for want of conveyance to send it to market, which also was the reason their Majesties' revenue of 4½ per cent., and other customs there, appeared not so considerable as they were in themselves, and would prove to be, for those revenues could only be levied as the produce was shipped off, and whenever that were the case it would produce considerably, and what was short in one year would be supplied in the next, for it must be shipped off whenever ships could be had, it not being possible to consume any considerable part of it there; the people there very zealously laid hold of their Majesties' grace in giving leave to commute that duty of 4½ per cent. for some other revenue of a better value; it was then five weeks since Admiral Wright, with his squadron of ships, went to the Leeward Carribee Islands, with intent to make some considerable attempt on the French, of which, or their success, they had no account, but were in daily hopes of having good news from them, knowing the French had no ship of force in America, and that they were not very strong or well manned in any or all the islands, so that they had all the reason imaginable to believe when the fleet returned it would be with honour and victory. He then begs, on account of his health, to be allowed to come to England, and when recovered to return to end his days in that island. Dated 27 June 1690. 3¼ pages.
Sept. 22.	12. Presentment of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury complaining of continued interruptions in carrying on the King's service at Liverpool by Mr. Oliver Lyme, the controller of the port of Liverpool, and sending a copy of a letter from Mr. Warburton, the person appointed by their Lordships to be his deputy, complaining of the withholding of his maintenance, and obstruction in his duty; and that Mr. Lyme had carried home the seal of office, and there, contrary to all rule and practice, sealed the public despatches, which ought to be done in open custom-house; reminding their Lordships of their previous presentment of 23 July, and praying for the suspension of Mr. Lyme, or otherwise as their Lordships should be advised. Dated 22 Sept. 1690. Minuted:—“Respited till Mr. Lyme come up.” 1½ pages.
Sept. 27.	13. Memorandum of what was due to Mr. William Talbott for round shot delivered into their Majesties' stores. Dated 27 Sept. 1690. Also of what was due for an engine fixed at Hull to make salt water fresh. 1 page.
Sept. 27.	14. Memorandum by Mons. D'Allonne that two boxes of “thee,” [tea] directed to the Queen for her use, had been stopped at Harwich, and sent to Ipswich, for which the order or warrant of the Lords of the Treasury was desired. Dated, Whitehall, 27 Sept. 1690. Minuted:—“If they are seized the Lords cannot discharge the seizer's share.” “To be sent for up.” ½ page (quarto).
Sept. 29.	15. Letter of the [Com^rs] of the Board of Green Cloth to Wm. Jephson, Esq., Secretary to the Treasury, inclosing an extract of the wages and board wages, and the whole charge contained in the establishment of the Royal household and stables. Dated 29 Sept. 1690. 2¼ pages.
Sept. 30.	16. Presentment of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury laying before them a commission to pass the seal of the Court of Exchequer, the purport whereof was to confirm and renew a former commission of King Charles II., which was executed in the year 1667, for the settling, bounding, and limiting the port of London, and the wharfs, keys, and places for the shipping and landing of goods; praying their Lordships' warrant to the Remembrancer of the Exchequer for the passing the same. Dated 30 Sept. 1690. Endorsed:—“Presentment for settling keys in y^e port of London.” 1 page.
April to Sept.	17. An abstract of the ordinary and extraordinary expense of His Majesty's household and stables. From April to Sept. 1690. 2 pages.
Oct. 1.	18. Memorial of the inhabitants of Chester, Liverpool, Shrewsbury, &c., praying for payment of 4,227l. 12s. due to them for provisions and stores delivered to Charles Fryth for the army in Ireland. “Brought in by y^e King, Octb^r 1^st '90.” ½ page.
Oct. 1.	19. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Michael Pope and Richard Gotley, merchants trading to Virginia and the West Indies, who had let for hire six ships to the Com^rs of the Transports, which had been employed in going to Virginia and the Leeward Islands; which ships were so lately discharged from that service that they could not repair them in time to supply the necessity of the plantations, but they were necessitated to buy a ship to go to Virginia; and then prayed to be allowed their complement of men “out of the proportion of seamen allowed for Bristol,” to prevent the utter ruin and destruction of many poor souls that were in Virginia upon their plantations in want of necessaries; advising that the ship should be comprehended amongst the ships of Bristol bound to the plantations, and permitted to proceed with a proportion of mariners agreeable to the burthen. Minuted:—“The Lords agree to this, if there be no further objection, & the Com^rs may give order accordingly.” 3 leaves. Also the petition, Dated 1 Oct. 1690.
Oct. 3.	20. Letter from the Lords of the Admiralty to the Lords of the Treasury, sending in the margin a list of the ships which had arrived at the Blackstakes, in the River Medway, in order to their being brought up to Chatham, to be there laid up and paid off. Another letter from the Navy Office, on the same subject. Both dated 3 Oct 1690. 2¼ pages.
Oct. 3.	21. Report of Charles Fox, Esq. to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Paul Darby, informing their Lordships that his whole debt for clothing the regiments amounted to 11,638l. 4s. 9d., and ought to have been paid by monthly payments, on which there was then due 4,447l. 7s. Dated 3 Oct. 1690. The report is endorsed on the petition. Minuted:—“To be on the 2^sh Act, after these directed.” Certificate of the amount due to Paul Darby and partners for clothing divers regiments. Signed Jacob van der Esch. Dated 1 Sept. 1690. Another copy, without the signature. 4 pages.
Oct. 6.	22. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Christopher Dodsworth, merchant, setting forth that of late years the exportation of silver had been so great that the working goldsmiths, the last session of Parliament, petitioned for redress thereof, and asserted that the milled money was usually melted down and exported to their disadvantage and that of the nation; that the petitioner had found by entries at the Custom House, London, from 3 Mar. to 11 Sept., about 6,000 ounces of silver had been publicly shipped for Holland and other foreign markets; that the law gave leave for exportation of foreign bullion only, and the petitioner was advised that, if melted down here, it was an English manufacture, and ought to pay custom outwards; and being advised that above 60,000 ounces were being shipped, he informed the officers of customs, and went with them on board one of the ships and found about 35,000 ounces, and about 16,000 ounces of mixed metal, not worth above 4s. per ounce, when the standard was 5s. 2d., and the officer, concluding it an English manufacture, seized it; on which the Attorney-General's opinion was taken, who was in favour of the payment of the custom, but one of the Board declared against breaking an old custom, and so the officer was fearful to act; that the custom of the parcel lately shipped amounted to 800l. and for six months past to 6,000l.: praying their Lordships to hear counsel on the subject. The report they make is, that by the laws, as they then stood, the exportation as well as the importation of bullion was encouraged, and made free of all duties and fees; and by bullion had been always understood all manner of gold and silver in the mass, not coined or wrought into utensils of plate, whether melted down in this kingdom or not; and that the practice had been to give it all manner of ease and freedom, but if it should be thought inconvenient, it must be remedied by law. Dated 6 Oct. 1690. Accompanied by the petition, the petition of the goldsmiths referred to, “the case stated by the goldsmiths,” the object being, as they state, “The preserving and increasing its currant coin and treasure, with the general trade, and consequently the prosperity and security thereof;” and two other papers relating to the same matter. 6 pages and 2 halves.
Oct. 7.	23. Representations by the Com^rs of the Excise and Hearth Money to the Lords of the Treasury, respecting certain bills of exchange not paid. Dated 7 Oct. 1690. Also, a schedule of bills of exchange upon the Earle of Ranelagh, unpaid 23 Sept. 1690. 2 pages.
Oct. 7.	24. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Peter Longuevile and John Goudet, of London, merchants, respecting certain bales of Italian thrown silk; advising that they should be allowed to be exported by free warrant, without payment of duty, either inward or outward, having arrived after the 1st of September, the day limited by the Act passed 20 May in that year; one of the reasons preventing their arrival being that the French fleet was then on the English coast. Dated 7 Oct. 1690. Minuted:—“Agreed to.” Also the petition. 3 pages and 2 quarters.
Oct. 8.	25. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the memorial of Christian Cruese, master of the ship “Madam Swan,” belonging to subjects of the King of Denmark, which ship was seized as forfeited upon the Act of Navigation, being Flemish built and bringing Danish timber; advising her discharge, as her lading was intended for Portugal. Dated 8 Oct. 1690. Minuted:—“Agreed to.” Also the petition (in French), and an affidavit. 2 pages, 2 halves, and a quarter.
Oct. 10 & 21.	26. Memorial of Mr. Bertie and Mr. Savage, about seizure of a vessel exporting wool, dated 10 Oct. 1690; and another paper relating thereto, dated 21 Oct. 1690. Minuted:—“Upon paying 53^li 6^s 8^d to be discharged. 13th Dec. '90.” 2 pages.
Oct. 11.	27. Presentment of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, respecting the payment of the officers' salaries of the port of London. Dated 11 Oct. 1690. Minuted:—“My L^ds are still of the same opinion, that the quarter book shall be payd out of the 4^th part, from this 1^st November, & the inferiour officers are to be first payd.” “31 Oct. '90. The Com^rs Customs say they will observe the above directions.” 1½ pages.
Oct. 13.	28. Letter from Lord Nottingham to the Lords of the Treasury, acquainting them, by the King's command, that he would have them give orders to the officers of customs in the several ports of England to return a list of all the mariners and seafaring men as speedily as possible. Dated 13 Oct. 1690. 1 page (quarto).
July 24. Aug. 30. Oct. 15.	29. Three papers marked 1, 2, 3, relating to the revenue of 4½ per cent. in Barbadoes, the first being a certificate of Christopher Codrington, addressed to his Excellency the “General,” stating that the Com^rs of the revenue of 4½ per cent. had paid to Lieut.-Col. Holt, commander, towards the payment of his regiment, 116,007 lbs. of Muscovado sugar, which produced 650l. Dated 24 July 1690. The second being a receipt given by Col. Kendale, dated 30 Aug. 1690, and the third a receipt by Thomas Sadler, for moneys paid from that revenue, dated 15 Oct. 1690. 3 pages.
Oct 17.	30. Letter, signed “Tho. Pinfold,” to William Jephson, Esq. respecting the arrest of the ship “John and Thomas,” and the captain of the same; which ship broke away from the officers of customs, at Shoreham. Dated 17 Oct. 1690. With this is another memorandum relating to custom-house business. 1 page and a little piece.
Oct. 17.	31. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of Jan Peel, master of the vessel called the “Towne of Ostend,” praying the discharge of the ship, seized for contravening the Navigation Laws, stating that Mr. Bertie does not object to the discharge of the ship, he being satisfied for his trouble and charge. Dated 17 Oct. 1690. Minuted:—“Agreed to.” Accompanied by the petition and an affidavit. 3 pages.
Oct. 20.	32. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, concerning a parcel of sugar entered as sugars of English plantations, but discovered to be Surinam sugars belonging to Mr. Gardner, upon which a trial was had the last term; advising the acceptance of the duty and charges offered to be paid by him. Dated 20 Oct. 1690. Minuted:—“My L^ds do agree to what the Com^rs propose.” 1½ pages.
Oct. 22.	33. Two letters and two reports concerning spermaceti oil, the produce of a whale cast ashore at the Bermudas, the right to which was claimed by Sir Robert Robinson, the Governor. [He was allowed it in part payment of his salary.] The last dated 22 Oct. 1690. Minuted:—“Agreed to according to M^r Blathwaytes letter 11 Nov. '90.” 4 pages.
Oct. 22.	34. Report of Brook Bridges, Esq., one of the Auditors of Imprest to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of William Roberts, paymaster of the works at Windsor, viz., as to the allowance of fees usually paid to the officers of the Exchequer, and for payments to the proprietors, &c., of lands taken into their Majesties avenue at Windsor. Dated 22 Oct. 1690. The petition referred to, and a certificate of Mr. Harbord. Dated 16 Sept. 1690. The latter showing the several interests affected. 9 pages.
Oct. 23.	35. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on a memorial annexed, concerning certain Canary wines wrecked on the manor of Seaford, in the county of Suffolk, and claimed by the Earl of Dorset; acquainting their Lordships that they had directed their officers to demand the duties of the wine in question, and in case of refusal to take them into their custody, as agreeable to law and to an Order in Council of 22 Jan. 1685, giving it as their opinion that all “salved goods coming a shoare, as wreck, should remaine in the custody of the officers of the customs until the duties thereof be paid or secured.” Dated 23 Oct. 1690. Minuted:—“My L^ds do agree with the Com^rs in their report 24^th Oct. 1690. The memorial and a printed copy of the Order in Council. 3 pages.
Oct. 25.	36. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, on the petition of James Baily, master of the ship “Imployment” of London, praying for discharge of the vessel and her lading of olive-oil, she being seized for contravening the Navigation Laws, by having seven of her crew foreigners; not objecting thereto upon giving the officer moderate satisfaction. Dated 25 Oct. 1690. Minuted:—“My L^ds do concurr with what the Com^rs propose.” 28 Oct. 1690. The petition and six affidavits. 9 pages or parts of pages.
Oct. 29.	37. “A memoriall of M^r Hoby, one of the verderers of the New Forest, given in to the Right Honourable the L^ds of the Treasury, concerning the trees marked for sale by the Surveyor Generall & others, Oct^r 29, 1690.” [As to the trees being sold under the value.] 1½ pages.
Oct. 31.	38. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury on the petition of their Majesties' five Patent searchers in the port of London, who complained that one John Fitch, having contracted with the officers of the Ordnance, for building divers works at Jersey, had shipped various materials, but refused to pay their fees; advising that the claim was reasonable, and that it was advisable to have a good understanding between the officers of the Ordnance, Navy, and Victualling, and the officers of the customs, by giving seasonable notices of their intentions of shipping any of the aforesaid stores. Dated 31 Oct. 1690. Minuted:—“Fitch must pay the usuall fees, and the offic^rs of the Ordnance, Navy, and Victuall^rs to give notice to the Com^rs [of the] Customs upon these occasions. 31 Oct. 1690. Also the petition, a certificate, and a paper entitled, “the case of the 5 Patent searchers,” &c., which describes the attempts made to ship goods under the pretence that they were for their Majesties service. 5 pages and 2 half pages.
Oct. 31.	39. Presentment of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lords of the Treasury, praying their Lordships' directions as to whether the five junior landwaiters of the port of London, who had to contribute towards the maintenance of three superannuated landwaiters, (whereby their salaries were reduced to 60l. per ann.) might not be comprehended in the exemption from the taxes. Dated 31 Oct. 1690. Minuted:—“To be allowed for the taxes.” 1 page.
Oct. 31.	40. “Port [of] Liverpool 31^st Oct^ober 1690 A list of all y^e seamen & mariners within & belonging to ye said port of Leverpool & places adjacent.” 3 pages.
Oct. and Nov.	41. Petition of Isaac Bonourier and Isaac Gelius, merchants, French Protestants in Dublin, and divers other papers respecting brandy shipped from Falmouth to Dublin Dated Oct. and Nov. 1690, 7 pages.