Volume 105: January 3-February 28, 1708

Pages 1-13

Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 4, 1708-1714. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1974.

Citation:

January 3–February 28, 1708



? 1707 or 1708.	1. Petition of Peter de la Brissoniere, captain and engineer, to the Queen. Served in the war in Ireland and Flanders till 1695–6. In 1706 her Majesty gave him a company. The regiment was soon after “broke.” Prays the pension of a Captain of Foot and Engineer in Ireland. ? 1707 or 1708. 1 page.
1707 or 1708.	2. Estimate of public expense anno 1708, and ways and means proposed to answer the same. 8 pages.
1708.	3. “Estimate of the 20,000 men, troops of augmentation, and of add^l forces since taken into the service of her Maj^tie and the States Gen^l with the charge thereof for the year 1708.” 2 pages.
1708.	4. Estimate of 40,000 men to act in conjunction with the forces of the allies in the Low Countries, with the charge thereof for the year 1708. 2 pages.
Jan. 3.	5. Report of the Com^rs of Excise, Scotland, to the Lord [High Treasurer]. Had received the Attorney General's opinion in answer to that of the Lord Advocate on the cases of the proprietors of the two sugaries at Glasgow, and that of Mr. Forbes of Culloden, for his lands of Ferintosh. The collectors had demanded the duties, but were refused payment under protest. The Lord Advocate adhered to his former opinion. Presumed it would not be proper to lay informations before the justices of the peace for the duty, being truly persuaded that they should not obtain judgment contrary “to the said opinion,” [i.e., of the Lord Advocate] which was there of very great weight. Returned all the papers as his L^p might judge them proper to be laid before parliament. Mr. Ross, one of their number, who had been on a survey at Glasgow, Aberdeen, and other places for about six weeks, had returned to the Board. Dated Edinburgh, 3 Jan. 1707–8. 1 page.
Jan. 6.	6. The same to the same. Major General Maitland, Governor of Fort William, claimed exemption from excise for that garrison by a letter of the late King; presumed the duty might be 100l. per ann. Mr. Ross, on his survey at Stirling, was refused entrance into the sutlery at the Castle, the serjeant pretending that as it was a garrison it was exempted. Col. Erskine, the Governor, was then in London. Dated Edinburgh, 6 Jan. 1707–8. Copy of the letter named. 2 pages.
Jan. 7.	7. Report of S. Travers, Surveyor General, to the Lord [High Treasurer] upon the encroachments made by new buildings on the wall of the royal garden near St. James's. Found two encroachments lately made on the garden wall on the south side of Pall Mall, one by M^r Bedford, an upholsterer, the other by M^r Wincle, a brazier. On his Lordship's reference in July 1703 on the memorial of M^r Henry Wise, complaining of several encroachments on St. James's Park, and that the park wall was demolished in several places, he [had] found many encroachments on the park wall, and particularly that part which bounded the royal garden on the north, where many persons had not only raised terraces with vaults under them, and fastened their timbers in the wall, but in some places had built rooms with low chimneys, to the annoyance of the neighbourhood as well as the garden. These buildings upon, or within the ancient wall, ought to be demolished and the wall built up as formerly, at the charge of the encroachers; unless her Majesty should grant them a lease, reserving a small rent to preserve the right of the crown. This was ordered accordingly; but there being no method prescribed he found the encroachments were continued, and others by their impunity had been emboldened to make new ones. His predecessor, Sir Charles Harbord, a person of great ability and experience, always insisted “that there does (sic) a freebord of right belonging to all the royal parks” that is, so much vacant ground without the enclosure, as was requisite for erecting scaffolds and bringing and laying materials for building or repairing the same, which carried its own demonstration of reason. Was of opinion that her Majesty's Attorney General should be directed to prosecute the encroachers, that they might be compelled to demolish the buildings erected on or fastened to the wall, and build it up as formerly at their own charge; without which no end was likely to be put to these invasions on the right of the crown. Dated 7 Jan. 1707. Minuted:—“To M^r Attor. to proceed according to law for her Ma^ts service.” 2½ pages.
Jan. 8.	8. Sir Alexander Rigby to —. Things look cloudy on them at the Exchequer, and the L^d Advocate and others tell them that in all times the Exchequer went against the interest of the crown, especially since James I. left Scotland “either for the sake of some consideration given, for afinity, or to help a neighbour, the people in this country never looseing a sheepe for an half penny worth of tarr, never failing to stand by one another, if in blood; and neighbours seldome faile neighbours,” &c. A new Exchequer must be set up, and equal justice might be done, or the fraudulent merchants would run all manner of goods, though a thousand officers watched them; but the natives must not be absolutely excluded. If Sir James Stuard, the Lord Advocate, were made one of the Judges of the Exchequer, it would have a great effect, provided there were a majority of English. He (Sir James) was the most influential person in that country. Last night, the writer says, “wee were before the Lords of the Committee for examining witnesses relating to the Danish Dogger.” An advocate named Carnagey reasoned that it was necessary for the concerned to sail with false papers and despatches to deceive the privateers at sea, and he said it was as needful for merchants to be prepared against the attacks of the privateers at land, meaning the Queen's officers of Customs. This so nettled the collector, who stood by, that the writer had much to do to keep him from taking the advocate by the nose. These people were not under a right influence. Many of the discontented already ran after this young fellow, and clapped him on the back. Dated Edinburgh, 8 Jan. 1707–8. 4 pages, quarto.
Jan. 10.	9. Establishment of Major-General Farrington's regiment of foot to commence from 24 Dec. last. Dated 10 Jan. 1707–8. 1½ pages.
Jan. 12.	10. M. de Medina to the Lord High Treasurer. Was commanded by the Duke of Marlborough to beseech that directions might be given for engrossing the contracts for bread, &c. for the ensuing campaign, as the time drew near. Dated 12 Jan. 1707–8. Minuted:—“Ordered.” 1 page, quarto.
Jan. 15.	11. M^r Burchett to M^r Lowndes by command of his Royal Highness [Prince George of Denmark], desiring him to move the Lord High Treasurer as to the furniture of the Cleveland yacht. Dated 15 Jan. 1707–8. Encloses copy of the letter of Capt. Byron, commander of the yacht, thereon. 2½ pages.
[About Jan. 15.]	12. Petition of Ann Christian, widow of W^m Christian, late customer of Whitehaven, for further assistance. The 25l. ordered her being spent. Her husband had served the crown 66 years, the crown owing him 979l. for services done in former reigns. She was 72 years of age and not likely to trouble his Lordship many years longer. Minuted:—“15 Jan^ry 1707–8. M^r Compton to place her on his list for 25^li.” 1 page.
Jan. 15.	13. Report of the Right Hon. J. Howe (Pay Office) to the Lord High Treasurer on the petition of the out pensioners of Chelsea Hospital, praying payment of 7 months arrear. 313l. 5s. 9d. were due to clear them. Dated 15 Jan. 1707. Encloses the petition and a list. Minuted:—“15 Jan. 1707–8. Ordered. The list annexed to the a^ts.” 3½ pages.
Jan. 16.	14. Copy of report of the Board of Ordnance to the Lord High Treasuer about the debt due for stores sent to Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands. Dated 16 Jan. 1707–8. Enclosed is a debtor and creditor account of the same. 3 pages.
Jan. 17.	15. Com^rs of Excise (Scotland) to the Lord [High Treasurer]. Since the Justices there had adjudged 1/17^th to be deducted off the charges made by the officers upon the brewers in Edinburgh, upon account of the difference of the measure, many brewers at Glasgow, &c. refused payment of their duty, unless they had the same allowance. This would make it difficult to recover the duty. They were cautious in laying informations before the Justices, perceiving them very much inclined to favour the people, so that a speedy settlement of the measures would be a considerable advantage to the revenue. Dated Edinburgh, 17 Jan. 1707–8. 1 page.
Jan. 17.	16. An Abstract of M^r Vander Esch's acco^ts as paymaster to the Dutch, Danish, and Saxe Gotha troops, between 31st December 1688 and the last of July 1700. Subscribed by E. Harley & H. Mainwaring 17 Jan. 1707–8. 1¼ pages.
Jan. 19.	17. M^r H. St. John to M^r Lowndes about an office for the seven general officers who were to inspect and regulate the clothing of the army according to the proposals laid before the Duke of Marlborough by the board of general officers. Dated 19 Jan. 1707–8. 1 pages.
Jan. 20.	18. The Marquis of Kent [Lord Chamberlain of the Household] to the Lord High Treasurer, desiring payment of the bills for Sir Cloudesly Shovell's funeral, 687l. 5s. 9d. Dated 20 Jan. 1707–8. 1 page.
Jan. 22.	19. The Com^rs of Customs to William Lowndes, Esq. Four ships were put ashore to the north of Aberdeen, one a Dunkirker of 44 guns. In the unfortunate fleet from Holland there were 10 ships bound to the East Indies, two of which were Dunkirkers, which had obtained Dutch passes and despatches, a thing very extraordinary. People were under a great concern for the remainder of this fleet for there was no account of more than 14 out of the 40 odd, and except they were in the Murray Firth north of Fraserburgh (the rest of the coast being the most dismal in Scotland) a sad account was expected. Three ships were reported as lost on the coast of Caithness, which is the extremity of the north, and one had the crew drowned. P.S.—Search had been made after the private grants of the Treasury, &c. Dated Edinburgh, 22 Jan. 1707–8. 2 pages.
Jan. 24.	20. H. St. John to the same. The general officers of the army having to hold the same office as was lately held by the controllers of the army, the writer desired to know if they were to be attended by M^r King, and what allowance would be made for clerks. Dated 24 Jan. 1707–8. Minuted:—“26 Jan^ry. My Lord directs M^r K[ing and] y^e clerks in y^e late Controllers office to attend y^e gen^ll officers, and that y^e gen^l officers may use y^e h^o y^e late compt^rs kept their office in till further ord^r.” 1 page.
Jan. 24.	21. The Com^rs of Excise (Scotland) to the Lord [High Treasurer]. The frauds practiced by the brewers in Edinburgh were so very many, that they believed it absolutely necessary that they should be surveyed by night as well as by day. They had officers ready and hoped in ten days so to settle the divisions, that they might fall into courses, much after the method used in London. The charge would be about 200l. per ann. Dated Edinburgh, 24 Jan. 1707–8. 1 page.
Jan. 26.	22. Presentment of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer, laying before him the affidavit of Henry Nash, commander of the revenue smack employed at Gravesend, in which he was joined by his mate; complaining of insults and unwarrantable practices of the Dutch men-of-war, and proving that Capt. Vandergoes, the Commodore of the last Dutch convoy, sent his Lieutenant to Captain Nash to let him know that, having searched two of their boats, if he went abroad any more they would beat his brains out. Very great quantities of goods were carried on shore, night and day, during the stay of the men-of-war, and though they saw them delivered to people on horseback ready to receive them, yet Captain Nash durst not search the boats or stop the goods. Testifying also to further rough usage, threats, &c., praying that a stop might be put to these evil practices, and further that strict orders might be given to the Governor and officers of Tilbury Fort, forbidding them to receive any uncustomed or prohibited goods, and requiring them to assist the officers of the customs. Dated 26 Jan. 1707. Enclosed is the affidavit referred to. The presentment is minuted:—“Read 27^th Jan^ry 1707. An extract of the first part to be made & đd to M^r Vryborge, & he to be desired to rep[rese]nt this matter to the States so effectually that due care may be taken to prevent these evil practices for y^e future, otherwise her Ma^ty must be moved to represent the same to y^e States Gen^ll herselfe. “Dđ to M^r Vryberge accord^gly, 30^th Jan^ry 1707–8, and he says that as to the searching the Dutch men of war that come hither he dos not believe the States will agree to that till her Ma^tys ships of war submit to be searched in Holland, but he will write p[re]ssingly to the States to give strict orders to y^e capt[ain]s not to receive any goods or merchandize on board them.” 2 pages and 2 halves.
Jan. 26.	23. Memorial of the Postmasters General (Cotton and Frankland) to the Lord High Treasurer, praying that their officers, whose salaries did not exceed 60l. per ann., might be freed from taxes. The salaries of the officers in the General and Penny Post offices were very small, considering the constant attendance by day and night which their duty obliged them to, and which rendered them incapable of following any other employment, whereby they might get anything towards the support of their families. Dated 26 Jan. 1707. 1 page.
Jan. 27.	24. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer on the petition of Miles Fleetwood, merchant, who retrieved at his own hazard a beneficial trade to England, which was before lost with the Government of Egypt. Having been chosen consul of the English factory there, he was oppressed with such severe usage that he was forced to repair to England in hopes of redress; but had no recompense for many thousands of pounds, though the establishment which he effected still remained. The Levant Company's reply to this was that they had advanced 2,000 dollars towards the settlement, &c., and that M^r Fleetwood was appointed Consul of Grand Cairo, and received the whole duty of consulage without making good one penny to the company. It still remained a doubt whether that trade would answer. All this seemed to contradict the petitioner. As he was unacquainted with the laws and rules of the customs, they could not report him qualified for employment therein as he sought. Copy of the same with the following minute:—“Read 25^th Oct. 1708. My Lord concurs in opinion w^th the C. Cust.” Also the petition. 5 pages.
Jan. 27.	25. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer on the petition of Martin Killigrew, Esq., complaining that the Lisbon packet boats, which had for 17 years been managed at Falmouth, were lately removed from thence to Flushing, to the great damage of the customs and prejudice of the petitioner's estate at Falmouth. Had heard the petitioner and M^r Trefusis thereon, and it seemed to them that the pier of Falmouth was in all respects equally commodious and safer for the packet boats than the key of Flushing, at which place, under colour of victualling, &c., they found opportunities to export and import many uncustomed and prohibited goods. Without regard to private interests, they advised that the boats should resort to Falmouth, whereby the revenues would be more secure. Dated 27 Jan. 1707. Minuted:—“Read 15 Mar. 1707–8, 29^th D^o, p[rese]nt Com^rs Cust. Postma^r Gen^ll, M^r Trefusis & M^r Killigrew. My Lord directs the Com^rs Cust to prepare such instruc[i]ons as they thinke prop[er] to be given to the Ma^rs of the packet boats relating to y^e carrying goods out & home. My Lord will thereupon consult y^e Postma^rs Gen^ll.” The petition referred to, and a list of goods seized out of the packet boats. 4½ pages.
Jan. 28.	26. Memorial of the Officers of Ordnance sent to M^r Lowndes to be laid before the Lord High Treasurer by command of the Duke of Marlborough. The office was in arrear to the artificers 18 months, the debts being very great. They could not at reasonable rates dispose of their debentures, because they were not allowed interest after six months as in other offices. Dated 28 Jan. 1707–8. 1 page.
Jan. 28.	27. Report of Sir Simon Harcourt, Attorney General, to the Lord High Treasurer, on the petition of the Governor and Company of merchants trading into the East Indies, and of the English Company also trading there, praying for a nolle prosequi to be entered on an information as to the Queen's share of forfeitures, pretended to be exacted under an Act of the first year of King James I., entitled “An Act for the due garbling of spices.” The Attorney General says the informations had been exhibited without his privity, and in the name of a common informer, and he could not find that the like information had at any time, since the making the Act, been exhibited against the East India C^o, and no encouragement should be given thereto. It was reasonable to order the nolle prosequi and there was no objection in point of law. Dated 28 Jan. 1707. The petition, which states that since the Act was passed the course of trade had very much altered, there being then no spices, except pepper, brought into the Queen's dominions out of the East Indies, but most part of the spices were imported out of Holland into England, and such drugs as were imported by the petitioners and sold by them were garbled by the buyers. 2 pages.
Jan. 29.	28. “Instructions for Capt. John Arnot of the Earl of Portmore's Regiment, relating to the prisoners taken in Spain and now in France.” Dated at Whitehall, 29 Jan. 1707–8. Signed H. S^t John. The Captain was to proceed to Paris and apply to Mons. Chamillard to obtain leave to visit the quarters of the English prisoners, for the more regular subsisting and taking the necessary care of them, to get an exact account of them, distribute subsistence, &c. 1½ pages.
Jan. 29.	29. Com^rs of Customs (Scotland) to William Lowndes, Esq^re. Had sent for Collector Bruce and Surveyor Ogilvie from Kirkcaldie, and they had made oath of M^r Carnagey's behaviour at a Committee of the Lords of the Exchequer. Had advice from Collector Dalrymple from Port Lochrayan, that the French privateer, which some time since seized a rich Liverpool ship outward bound, having landed her hostages, &c. in France, was returned to Lockrayan, and had taken a bark belonging to the river Clyde, and another belonging to Irwin, and other vessels, which made a great “alarum” in the west of that country. Sir Robert Dickson had complained to the Council and many wondered that the Dunbarton man-of-war, Captain Campbell, was not abroad but lay at Greenock. The merchants of Glasgow said if care were not taken their trade to and from the river Clyde would be ruined, and this French rogue coming thus boldly back was the more afflicting, for in February, March, and April most of the Glasgow trade returned from the Canaries. In the road of “Yla,” one of the islands of the West Highlanders, was cast ashore a North British ship from Stockholm to Port Glasgow, with iron, which the country people pillaged. It were to be wished a law were made as in the kingdom of Naples, for the security of poor mariners and stranded effects. M^r Snelgrove had come from Northumberland about the building of sloops, and they thought to send him and Captain Beach to the North, to see if ropes, canvas, and other materials might not be bought cheap from the Dutch, whose ships could not be got off. Dated Edinburgh, 29 Jan. 1707–8. The affidavit referred to. 3 pages.
Jan. 29.	30. Reports, petitions, &c. relating to the estate of the Lord Griffin in her Majesty's hands, of which James Griffin, Esq^re, his grandson, was endeavouring to obtain a lease, &c. The estate consisted of the manor of Dingly and lands in Braybrook (Northamptonshire). The first is dated in 1704 and the last (which is only a copy) on 29 Jan. 1707–8. 26 pages.
Feb. 4.	31. Certificate of the plate delivered out of the Jewel house to R^t Hon. Sir Charles Hedges, one of H.M. Principal Secretaries of State. Signed:—“Robert Sedgwick.” Dated 4 Feb. 1707. ½ page.
Feb. 4.	32. Warrant from the Marquis of Kent to the Master of the Great Wardrobe, for the supply of the second troop of Horse Guards, with standards and banners “for the kettle drum and trumpets of that troop,” with the alteration in the arms appointed upon account of the union with Scotland. The warrant appears to have been executed 4 Feb. 1707–8. 1 page.
Feb. 5.	33. Memorial on behalf of M^r Portman “to the Right Honb^le M^r Chancell^r of the Excheq^r as to watering Hyde Park.” Signed: “Tho. Houghton.” Dated 5 Feb. 1707. ½ page.
Feb. 5.	34. Report of the Com^rs for Sick and Wounded Seamen, &c. to the Lord [High Treasurer] on the petition of David Pugh, merchant, who complained that they had stopped the credit of M^r Gyde, their agent at Jamaica, by suffering a bill to be protested. This being the last account of M^r Gydes, who for mismanagement was superseded, the Com^rs were of opinion they ought not to accept this bill of M^r Pugh's till the vouchers for M^r Gydes' account had arrived. Dated 5 Feb. 1707–8. 2½ pages.
Feb. 5.	35. Report of M^r W^m Borrett to the Lord High Treasurer on the petition of Thomas Crosby, of Bocking, in Essex, carpenter, Nathaniel Boosey of the same place, “baymaker,” for themselves and other inhabitants of the parish, in relation to a fraud committed by the collectors of the taxes, which was detected by the petitioners who had prosecuted the collectors at a cost of 165l. Dated 5 Feb. 1707–8. Minuted:“20^th Feb. 1707–8. The pet^rs to have the fines” [set upon the collectors]. 2 pages.
Feb. 7.	36. Copy of warrant of H. S^t John to the Paymaster-Gen^l of the Forces for payment of additional levy money. Dated 7 Feb. 6 Anne. 1 page.
Feb. 7.	37. H., B^p of London, to the Lord High Treasurer asking for a bounty of 20l. for M^r James Jones who was going as chaplain to Jamaica, to pay his passage. Dated 7 Feb. 1707. A few lines.
Feb. 7.	38. Report of M^r William Blathwayt to the Lord [High Treasurer] on the memorial of Col. Robert Hunter, praying a consideration out of the quit-rents of Virginia or otherwise, for the loss of his equipage when taken prisoner by the French in his way to his government of Virginia, being placed at other disadvantages as a prisoner, and rendered incapable of entering upon his government. Gives an account of the state of the quit-rents to show in what manner the petitioner might be compensated. It was his (M^r Blathwayt's) duty to represent that a balance was always intended to be left in Virginia, since the purchase of the duty on tobacco from the late Lord Culpepper to answer pressing occasions in the colony; for the want thereof 80,000l. had to be paid out of the Exchequer to suppress Bacon's insurrection, besides a greater sum lost for a time to the crown by the discontinuance of the planting and trade of tobacco. In respect to the President of the Council, as her Majesty had given him the full power of a Lieut.-Governor or Governor-in-Chief, he might well deserve the same allowance as a Lieut.-Governor. Dated 7 Feb. 1707. Also the petition in which it was proposed that Mons. de Blansac should be offered in exchange for the petitioner. 5 pages.
Feb. 7.	39. Report of M^r H. S^t John to the Lord High Treasurer on the petition of William Wallis, Esq^re, and others, praying payment of 5,532l. 12s. 9d. for clothing furnished to Chelsea Hospital and to the four companies of invalids. Dated 7 Feb. 1707–8. Minuted:—“Read 4 June 1708. My Lord will speak w^th M^r How about this the next time he comes.” Again, “17 June 1708. This applcac[i]on not having been made in time, and there being no money that can go towards this debt, a demand must be made for it parłt.” 2½ pages.
Feb. 11.	40. Report of the Com^rs of Victualling to William Lowndes, Esq., on the reply of the owners of ships to their previous report on the petition of the owners for an allowance of demurrage and interest for victualling bills; advising against any allowance. Dated 11 Feb. 1707–8. The reply referred to. 8½ pages.
Feb. 11.	41. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer on the petition of Alexander Naughtie, master of the ship Ann, of Week, in Caithness, whose ship having put into Berwick road when chased by a French privateer, was taken charge of by M^r Wharton, surveyor of the port, and carried into the port of Berwick, and by his unskilfulness or drunkenness, sunk on a rock, and the cargo damaged. His loss amounted to 400l., &c. They considered the complaints were groundless and vexatious. Dated 11 Feb. 1707. The petition and other papers. 18 pages or parts of pages.
Feb. 12.	42. Report of John Dodd and John Waters, Esq^res, on the petition of Thomas Warrin, who had been Admiralty agent for the ports of Deal and Dover, and the Isle of Thanet, testifying that the ships mentioned were under his care, condemned to pay tenths, &c., and advising that 90l. would be a reasonable allowance to him. Dated 12 Feb. 1707–8. Minuted:—“Read 8^th May 1708. Agreed.” The petition and an account. 5½ pages.
[About Feb. 12.]	43. Petition of Edward Hyde, Esq^re, to the Queen. Was reduced to a very deplorable condition. Had offers made to him by the Duke of Beaufort, to be preferred to a small government in Carolina, under the lords proprietors there, which he would gratefully accept if he could transport himself and family thither. Prays the Queen's bounty by the grant of an arrear of 146l. due to the Queen, as an acknowledgment from the lords proprietors of Carolina. Minuted:—“12 Feb^ry 1708. By inspecting the 2^d charter granted by King Charles the 2^d to the proprietors of Carolina, dated 30^th June 17^o regni, I find amongst other things a yearly rent of twenty marks reserved & made payable to the crowne, the arreares whereof is what (I suppose) the pet^r desires may be granted to him; but whether there be any arrear or no, dos not appear to me. Chrer. Tilson.” Again, “This rent was paid to the feast of All Saints, 1697, as appears by the Tally levyd 24 Nov. 1697. From w^ch tyme to All Saints 1708 being 11 years, there is due the sume of 146 13 4.” 1 page.
Feb. 13.	44. Copy of an address from the Ministers of New England to the Lord High Treasurer, eulogizing the administration of that province by the Hon. Col. Dudley, the Governor for the past five years, in opposition to a petition against him by a number of persons, strangers to them, calling for his removal. 40 signatures. Dated Boston, New England, 13 Feb. 1707–8. 2 pages.
Feb. 14.	45. “An acco^t of her Ma^ties Customs, new & add^ll impoc[i]ons from the 24 of January 1707, exclusive to the 14 of February following incl.” 3 pages.
Feb. 14.	46. Report of Edward Harley, Esq., to the Lord High Treasurer, certifying what fees were usually allowed to the Deputy Chamberlains for joining tallies in the Court of Exchequer, and what they amounted to. Dated 14 Feb. 1707–8. The petition. 2 pages.
Feb. 14.	47. Report of the Com^rs of Excise to the Lord High Treasurer, on the petition of John Richardson, of the city of Durham, maltster, who was charged with fraud by Peter Coldeclugh, a former servant, by walling up part of a great room and concealing several quantities of malt from the gauger. Were of opinion that the information was true, and unless he paid the duty, trial should proceed. Dated Excise Office, London, 14 Feb. 1707. The petition and 7 affidavits. 11½ pages.
Feb. 16.	48. An opinion, signed “Sam. Dodd,” on a query whether the Receiver of the Land Revenue of South Wales and Monmouthshire could be discharged of what he should pay to M^r Christopher Tilson by the acquittance of the latter. Dated 16 Feb. 1707. 1 page.
Feb. 16.	49. Report of M^r William Borrett to the Lord High Treasurer, as to [relaxing] the forfeiture of the recognizances of certain persons bound for the trial of Walter Ducaine at the Oxford assizes, for speaking seditious and scandalous words. Dated 16 Feb. 1707–8. 1 page.
Feb. 17.	50. Copy of a letter “from Col. Dudley, Governor of New England, about masts felled there by the agents of M^r Collins.” The Governor was not satisfied that a contract had been entered into by M^r Collins with the Navy Board, and until her Majesty's pleasure was known, he would not allow the masts to be taken away. The province of New Hampshire prayed to be allowed to send their agent to present an address to her Majesty, referring to the state of the province. Captain George Vaughan, who was born there, would attend his Lordship. He was very capable to give account of everything there, having sat in their assembly and sustained the principal offices in the government. Dated Boston, 17 Feb. 1707–8. 2 pages.
Feb. 17.	51. Lord Sunderland to the Lord High Treasurer. Had sent all D^r Newton's bills of exchange, &c. The expenses that exceeded the regulation had been occasioned by his journey to Genoa, where he had to provide things that could be of no use elsewhere. And that journey was undertaken by her Majesty's particular command. His L^p hoped that the L^d Treasurer would consider D^r Newton's good services and present occasions, which were very urgent, and the favour done him would be esteemed as if done to the writer. Also, “An acco^t of money due to D^r Newton as Envoy at Florence and Genoa, on his bills of extra^rys.” 2 pages.
Feb. 19.	52. The Marquis of Kent to the Lord High Treasurer. Her Majesty's pleasure was that the Treasurer of the Chamber should be empowered by sign manual to pay certain officers and servants the usual allowance of riding charges for their attendance on her Majesty at Kensington, to commence from 26 Sept. 1706, when her Majesty first resided there. Dated 19 Feb. 1707–8. 1 page.
Feb. 20.	53. Order in Council referring to the Lord High Treasurer the petition of Captain Richard Long for allowance of money disbursed by him in the reign of the late King, when sent to make discoveries on the coasts of America. Dated 20 Feb. 1707. Minuted:—“Send this to C. of Trade. It seems to my L^d the ref. would have been more prop to them.” Also the petition which refers to the gold mines of Cany, possessed by the Spaniards. 3 pages.
Feb. 23.	54. Thomas Morrice to William Lowndes, Esq. Respecting the clothes and accoutrements under the care of M^r Edward Douglas, which he advised should be sent to Barcelona. Encloses copy of his letter to M^r Douglas, and the reply thereto. Also as to sending up the money to Barcelona for the forces in Spain. He put Padre Cienfuegos, the Spanish Plenipotentiary, on trying his interest with the Court to get a licence only for 10,000l., which he told them the Queen had given his master for his table, but he (the Plenipotentiary) was refused it. The report sent concerning the bills drawn by the late Prince of Hesse for the service of Gibraltar, was exactly fact. The ambassador, M^r Methuen, never heard that the prince kept any regular account of the application of the money, more than that it was for the defence of the garrison in the extremity of the siege, &c. Dated Lisbon, 5 March (i.e., 23 Feb.) 1708. Minuted:—“Read 23 March 1707–8.” 6½ pages.
Feb. 23.	55. Another letter, from the same to the same, in relation to 31,987 millrees which the father of Ambassador Methuen paid to M^r Thomas Martin, the King of Spain's paymaster there (Lisbon). Several persons of rank and others had come over to his Catholic Majesty's service, and more would be daily coming in; for which reason the Ambassador and himself had some time since written, at the request of the Spanish minister, for 6,000l. of the money granted for the King of Spain. Same date. Also copy of an account of the money received by the above Thomas Martin, with translation thereof. 8 pages.
Feb. 23.	56. M^r P. Methuen to the Lord High Treasurer (private). The King of Portugal had promised 100,000 pieces of eight to the King of Spain, to be paid him on the arrival of the Brazil fleet with the two Spanish ships that had been seized in the port of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil; this sum his L^p had ordered the writer's father to pay. This letter is as well about advances of money made by his father for the troops, &c. to the King of Spain, which the King of Portugal was to repay, as of money advanced by his father on his own credit for the support of officers and soldiers that came over from the enemy, until they could be formed into regiments and sent to Catalonia. Father Cienfuegos, the King of Spain's minister and plenipotentiary, had either by ignorance or artifice imposed on the writer; and the King of Spain had thereby received 20,000 pieces of eight more than he ought. Asking how he should charge this money paid by his father to M^r Martin in his accounts. Dated Lisbon, 5 March N.S. (i.e., 23 Feb. 1707–8). 6½ pages.
[? About Feb. 24.]	57. Representation of John Moor, for ten years collector of the port of Air, to the Lord High Treasurer, praying to be replaced. Minuted:—“To ye Com^rs Cust to know how it came to pass that Moor was put out & this man put it. M^d the paper contain^g y^e Com^rs reasons for laying Moor aside was put into my Lord Tre[asure]rs hands 24 Febr. 1707–8.” 1 page.
Feb. 25.	58. Report of M^r J. Brydges to the Lord High Treasurer on the memorial of the officers that served at Gibraltar, before the commencement of the establishment of that garrison, praying to be relieved with respect to their pay for the time they served before the establishment took place, as was recommended to her Majesty by the Earl of Gallway. He (Mr. Brydges) did not find that they had received any pay for their services. Dated Pay Office, 25 Feb. 1707–8. Minuted:—“Read 26 Feb. 1707. No provision for this has been made by Parliam^t.” The memorial and two other papers. 4 pages.
Feb. 27.	59. Ad. Cardonnel to M^r Lowndes for 200 copies of Acts of Parliament for the better recruiting the land forces and marines, to be sent to the Secretary-at-War's office, to be distributed to the recruiting officers. Dated Whitehall, 27 Feb. 1707–8. Minuted:—“L~re sent to y^e printer 28^th D^o.” 1 page, quarto.
Feb. 27.	60. Report of M^r W. Whitfield to the Lord High Treasurer, on the petition of the Master, Wardens, and Society of the art and mystery of Apothecaries, London, praying payment of 280l. 6s. due to them for medicines delivered at Gibraltar for the garrison and the detachment of marines left there by Admiral Sir Geo. Rooke. There was no fund for contingencies, and there were many deductions from their pay, &c. It did not appear practicable to place the amount to the Marines' accounts. The petition and two other papers. 4½ pages.
Feb. 28.	61. Com^rs of Excise (Scotland) to the Lord [High Treasurer]. The justices had adjudged the barrel to be 30 gallons, and they were obliged to comply therewith until the matter was settled by the British Parliament. The justices at Glasgow had given judgment in the same terms, and the people complained and insisted on “the same allowance.” Dated Edinburgh, 28 Feb. 1707–8. 1 page.
Feb. 28.	62. “Report of the Gen^l Officers on the petition of Colonel Gore.” They were of opinion that 265l. 11s. 10d. were due to Colonel Humphrey Gore for the clothing of 157 men, detached from his regiment. Dated 28 Feb. 1707–8. Also the memorial of Col. Gore. 2 pages.
Feb.	63. New Year's Gifts, 1708. The gifts were made in January and February 1707–8 to different officials. 2 pages, quarto.