Volume 89: January 4-March 31, 1704 | British History Online

Pages 224-248

Calendar of Treasury Papers, Volume 3, 1702-1707. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1874.

Citation:

January 4–March 31, 1704



1703–4. Jan. 4.	1. Letter of Robert Delavall to “y^e Chanccellor,” asking to be put into a stamper's place in the stamp office. Dated 4 Jan. 1703–4. 1 page, quarto.
Jan. 4.	2a. Letter from M^r John Sansom to William Lowndes, Esq., sending copy of an account of gold or silver exported for India or China since Michaelmas last, previously sent to the Com^rs for Trade and Plantations. Dated 4 Jan. 1703. 2 pages.
Jan. 5.	2b. Memorial of the Trustees for circulating Exchequer bills to the Lord High Treasurer, asking for a warrant to enable them to pay themselves and the officers their salaries. Dated 5 Jan. 1703. Also, an acc^t of salaries due. Minuted:—“Ordered.” 1¼ pages.
Jan. 7.	3. “A list of the tallies, letters, and orders deposited in y^e paymasters hand[es] for Her Ma^t[ies] guards and garrisons, for the saving of the interest from the 7^th Jan^ry 1703–4.” Dated 7 Jan. 1703–4. 1 "page.
[About Jan. 5.]	4. Petition of the Duke of Bolton and others to the L^d High Treasurer, relating to allowances to M^r Thomas Cobb, late Receiver General of the Taxes for the county of Southampton. Referred 5 Jan. 1703 to the Agents for Taxes. 1 page.
Jan. 5.	5. Report of M^r W^m Borrett to the Lord High Treasurer, on the petition of Hannah, the wife of William Tucker of Axminster, in the county of Devon. He found that William Collins mentioned in the petition was an idiot, “a nativitate,” and was never seized of any real estate, but was possessed of sums of money, goods, &c., amounting to 950l., and that the petitioner was his mother. By law the rent and profits of an idiot's estate belonged to the crown, only finding fit maintenance for the idiot, and rendering the estate after the death of the idiot to the heir, but not accountable for the past profits; her Majesty might grant the custody of the idiot and the management of the estate as prayed. Dated 5 Jan. 1703. Also the petition. Minuted:—“Prepare a warr^t accordingly.” 2 pages.
Jan. 6.	6. Letter from M^r Isaac Newton to the Lord [High Treasurer], laying before his Lordship the desire of the Warden and Controller of the Mint and the Assay Master for the charge of her Majesty's tin, and when his Lordship should resume the consideration of lodging the tin in the Tower, he was ready to serve her Majesty. Dated Jan. 6. 1703–4. Minuted:—“25 Jan^y 1703. My Lord doth intend that y^e tin shall be received & disposed by ye officers of ye Mint.” 1 page, quarto.
Jan. 8.	7. Report of Richard Crawley to the L^d High Treasurer on the petition of Francis de Last, executor of Sir Paul Ricaut, deceased, as to seizure and condemnation of a ship. Dated Doctors' Commons, 8 Jan. 1703. Minuted:—“18 Jan. 1703. A sign manual for ye 3^d part of ye 395 12 6.” 3 pages.
Jan. 10.	8. Letter from Edmund Dummer, Esq., to the Lord High Treasurer in respect to his accounts for his charge of the sloops employed in carrying on a correspondence between Falmouth and the English islands of the West Indies, which would not pass an examination at the Navy Office; notwithstanding they were well and regularly kept. Dated 10 Jan. 1703–4. Also the reasons why they would not pass. Minuted:—“11 Jan. 1703. My Lord will speak with the C. of the Navy.” Again:—“2 Feb. 1703. My Lord will speak w^th the Postma^r Gen^ll on Fryday morning.” 2 pages.
Jan. 10.	9. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer, as to the constitution of M^r Arnold Sansom as Controller upon the issues and payments of the Receiver General of the Customs. Dated 10 Jan. 1703. Copy of the constitution referred to. 3 pages.
Jan. 11.	10. “An abstract of the extraordinarys to the foreign troops.” 1 page.
Jan. 11.	11. Letter from M^r Secretary Hedges to the L^d High Treasurer, sending notice that the Queen had added two packet boats to the four that carry her Majesty's letters to Holland, and one to the three that carry her letters to Lisbon, for orders to be made thereon. Dated 11 Jan. 1703–4. Minuted:—“Direct the post M^rs to provide ye pacq^t boat for Lisbon, & as to ye other to send my Lord their opinion in writing, whether they will give (fn. 1) promote ye dispatch of ye pulliq[ue] service.” Dated 11 Jan. 1703. 1 page, quarto.
Jan. 11.	12. Letter of the Com^rs of Trade to the Lord High Treasurer, as to the exemption from taxes of their subordinates. Dated 11 Jan. 1703–4. With a list of the names and the salaries. 2 pages.
Jan. 12.	13. Letter from M^r R. Murray to the Lord [High Treasurer], offering to give a further explanation of his scheme for tin, eulogising his Lordship, and asking for the royal bounty. Dated 12 Jan. 1703–4. Minuted:—“25 Jan^y 1703. My L^d will employ him when he can find any thing proper for him.” 1 page.
Jan. 13.	14. Report of the Com^rs of Excise to the Lord High Treasurer on the petition of Mary Martin, widow and executrix of Henry Martin, collector of Excise and of the duties on malt and leather, as to a debt of her husband's. Dated 13 Jan. 1703. Minuted:—“3 Apr. 1704. Agreed to ye rep^t & direct them to proceed to recover ye debt as fast as they can.” 2½ pages.
Jan. 13.	15. Copy of an opinion of the Attorney General to the Com^rs of Trade and Plantations, on the levying the 4½ per cent. in the part of St. Christopher's acquired from the French. Dated 13 Jan. 1703. [The copy probably made a good deal later.] 2 pages.
Jan. 14.	16. Letter from the Earl of Nottingham to the Lord High Treasurer, asking him to order 36l. to be repaid to M^r Stepney, her Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary at Vienna, he having paid that amount to M^r Halley. Dated 14 Jan. 1703–4. Minuted:—“25 Jan^y 1703–4. Ordered out of secret service.” 1 page.
Jan. 15.	17. Representation of the general officer and colonels of the six regiments of marines to H.R.H. Prince George of Denmark, as to their clearings and subsistence withheld from want of muster rolls. “R. 15 Jan. 1703.” 2 pages.
Jan. 17.	18. Letter from M^r Ri[chard] Povey to M^r Lowndes, in relation to a reduction of fees to be paid by him at the Exchequer office on his appointment as treasurer to his Royal Highness's commission for sick and wounded seamen. Dated 17 Jan. 1703–4. 1 page.
Jan. 17.	19. Letter from M^r William Blathwayt to the L^d [High Treasurer], as to precedents for furnishing money by the paymaster of the army for liveries to trumpeters; sending an extract from the office books. Dated 17 Jan. 1703–4. With it there is also “An acc^t of livery coats, cloaks, standards, &c. for Sir John Lanier's Regim^t delivered into their Ma^ties wardrobe the 22^th April 1692.” Minuted:—“24 Jan^y 1703. Write to M^r Blathwayt to p[re]pare a warr^t accordingly.” 4 pages.
Jan. 18.	20. “An account of the severall species of provisions resting in stores the 31^th December 1703, with the time they will serve the 40,000 men declared for the year 1704; as also the total of each specie which will serve to compleat the remaining time of the s^d declaration, to victual 40,000 men 52 weeks, or 364 days.” Dated Victualling Office, 18^th Jan. 1703–4. 1 page.
Jan. 20.	21. The Attorney General's opinion on the grant in reversion of the office of steward of the lordships and manors of Bromfield and Yale, in the co. of Denbigh, in North Wales, &c., then enjoyed by Sir John Wynn, Bart. Dated 20 Jan. 1703. Minuted:—“1 Feb. 1703. Prepare a sign man^l accordingly. M^r Attorny Gen^lls opinion is w^thin, that her Ma^ty may grant offices or reverc[i]ons thereof, for life or lives, notw^thstand^g y^e act for y^e civil list.” 2 pages.
Jan. 20.	22. Letter from W., Bishop of Oxford, to the Lord [High Treasurer] for a further indulgence for paying the remainder of his first fruits, a scire facias having been executed against him. He had had to expend a considerable sum on his house, and must spend more to repair the hurt done by the late great storm. Dated 20 Jan. 1703–4. Minuted:—“Supersede & stay the process for one year.” 1 page, quarto.
Jan. 20.	23. Letter from Sir Cloudesley Shovell to the secretaries of his Royal Highness the Lord High Admiral. He had called together such “flaggs” and other officers as were within his reach, who had considered how the marines might be most useful at sea, so long as it should be thought fit to continue them upon the establishment of the navy. He returns the result of their conference in an enclosed paper, signed by the officers. Dated 20 Jan. 1703–4. 3 pages.
Jan. 20.	24. Memorial of M^r W. Whitfeild to the Lord High Treasurer in relation to the muster rolls, the difficulty of searching the ships books, &c. He was of opinion that until there was a particular commissary appointed for the marines, with three deputies at Plymouth, Portsmouth, and Deal, the muster rolls would never be returned in due time. Dated 20 Jan. 1703. 1 page.
Jan. 21.	25. “A certificate of Exchq^r bills cancelled by M^r Lionell Herne, out of the second 3s. ayd, and one third of the fourth 3s. ayd from the 24^th of December 1702 (to which time he has passed this acco^t to a quietus) to the 24^th December 1703.” Dated 21 Jan. 1703. 2 pages.
Jan. 22.	26. Presentment by the Com^rs of Customs to the L^d High Treasurer, touching the two customers of Newcastle owing arrears to M^r Dowthwait and M^r Lowson of Stockton. Dated 22 Jan. 1703. 2 pages.
Jan. 24.	27. Warrant from the L^d High Treasurer to the Warden, &c. of the Mint, the Queen's Remembrancer, &c., for the enlargement from prison of Anthony Redhead, who was deputy master worker and melter of the Mint at Norwich. He had been imprisoned above three years and his goods had been sold for an arrear upon his account. Dated 24 Jan. 1703. 1 page.
[? About Jan. 25.]	28. Letter from M^r W^m Killigrew to W^m Loundes, Esq., calling attention to two letters he had written to the L^d High Treasurer as to his bad circumstances. He knew it was customary for beggars to magnify their wants. He wished he did so also, but that was not possible, and he never pressed for help so long as he could pawn or borrow. Adding a postscript, “qui cito dat bis datt.” Minuted:—“25 Jan^y 1703. The Queen gives him an allowance w^ch he must be content with.” With this is a petition (probably a little later) of Elizabeth Killigrew his daughter. He had been arrested within the “verge” and barbarously used, and dangerously wounded; praying for relief.” 2 pages, quarto.
[? About Jan. 25.]	29. Petition of the Mayor and Burgesses of Berwick-upon-Tweed to the Lord High Treasurer, for 25l. due to them on their annuity of 100l. payable formerly out of the customs, for the repair of the bridge over the river Tweed. Minuted:—“25 Jan^y 1703. Order'd.” 1 page.
[? About Jan. 25.]	30. Petition of William Lane, citizen and Free Cooper of London, to the L^d High Treasurer. He served the crown at sea as cooper, in H.M. ship Adventure during the “Argire” war, and was shot through the shoulder, for which he had a pension of 5l.; asking to be appointed as a “noon waiter.” Minuted:—“25 Jan^y 1703. Referr'd to Com^rs Customes.” 1 page.
Jan. 26.	31. Report of Henry Shales, auditor, to the L^d High Treasurer on the petition of M^r Robert Griffith as to a debt for the supply of beer, disallowed by the auditor of imprest. Dated 26 Jan. 1703. With minutes on the back as to its allowance. 2 pages.
Jan. 27.	32. Letter from the Com^rs of Prizes to M^r Lowndes. They had offered for sale the silver taken at Vigo, which had been melted and assayed at the mint, and marked at Goldsmiths' Hall in order to exportation. No person would bid for it at 5s. 6d. an ounce. They ask if it should be put up at a lower price or coined. Dated 27th Jan. 1703–4. Minuted:—“Order it to be coyned.” 1 page.
Jan. 27.	33. Letter signed G. Macartney to William Lowndes, Esq., as to the immediate payment of the levy money for a regiment in Scotland ordered by the Duke of Marlborough to be raised. Dated 27 Jan. 1703. 1 page.
Jan. 27.	34. Letter from Mess^rs. Howe and Blathwayt concerning the respits on Col. Rivers' regiment, as to an account to be taken from the ship's books to serve for musters, &c. Dated 27 Jan. 1703–4. Minuted:—“1 Feb. 1703. To speak w^th M^r How & M^r Blathwayt.” 2 pages, quarto.
Jan. 28.	35. Report of the Post Masters General to the Lord High Treasurer, on the petition of Eliz., Countess Dowager of Thanet, for a grant to erect a penny post office in and about Dublin; advising that it should be erected for 14 years, at a 10^th of the clear yearly profits. Dated 28 Jan. 1703–4. Minuted:—“To be layd before ye Q. A warr^t for 14 years paying rent p[er] anñ.” 1 page.
Jan. 31.	36. Petition of Nehemiah Arnold to the Queen. His father-in-law, Major Arnold of Westminster, had paid 1,000l. arrears, being bound for a collector of customs at Dover, &c. The major was one of the jury for trial of the bishops, and it was falsely reported he was for finding the bill, which was the cause of his ruin. He was nominated a Com^r of Excise, but died before he enjoyed the benefit thereof. Petitioner's father Captⁿ Arnold was bound for above 2,000l. for the major, his brother, then member of Parliament for Westminster; both of them being justices of the peace for Middlesex and Westminster were now dead, and had left their families with these heavy debts; prays to be appointed as a com^r of victualling, or to the stamp office, agent for taxes, or otherwise. Referred 31 Jan. 1703–4. A certificate relating thereto. Minuted:—“25 Feb^y 1703. To be laid before ye Queen.” 2 pages.
Feb. 1.	37. Two reports of M^r W^m Vanbrugh to the Lord High Treasurer, as to the claims of the Queen's watermen to a year and a half's salary in arrear to them. One dated 1 Feb. 1703–4, the other undated. Minuted:—“1 Feb^y 1703. The year to be paid out of arrears & ye ½ year out of ye Queen's mony, Mem^dm to move ye Queen that there be no more penc[i]onary watermen.” Also the petition of the watermen. 3 pages.
Feb. 1.	38. Report of the Earl of Ranelagh to the Lord High Treasurer, on the memorial of Sir Charles Hara, praying for the remainder of his pay as major general on the expedition to Cadiz, &c. Dated 1 Feb. 1703–4. Minuted:—“To be paid according to the report.” Also the memorial. 2 pages.
[? About Feb. 2.]	39. Petition of [Col.] Emanuel Scrope Howe, Lieut^t of Holt Forest (Hampshire), to the Lord High Treasurer, as to the reparation of the great lodge; also as to the payment for the same out of the sale of woods of the Forest of Dean. [? About 2 Feb. 1703.] A letter on the same subject, much faded. There are various memoranda on the back and this minute:—“Read to ye Q. 24^th May 1704. The Q. will allow him 300l. out of wood sales.” 2 pages.
Feb. 4.	40. “Abstract of respitts on the Muster Rolls, returned into my office for the troops and regim^ts from the 25^th of October to the 24^th of Dec^r 1703, incl.” Signed J. Howe. Dated 4 Feb. 1703. ½ page.
Feb. 2.	41. Report of Sir Chr. Wren on the memorial of Seignior Antonio Verrio to the Lord High Treasurer, asking for money for colours, &c. to finish the great room at Hampton Court. He had received no more than 200l. 500l. would serve for his subsistence and charges until the room was complete. Dated 2 Feb. 1702–3. Parts of 2 pages.
Feb. 4.	42. Report of the Agents for Taxes to the Lord High Treasurer, on the petition of Benjamin Robins, as to his collection of the taxes in Exeter, and the frauds and abuses perpetrated there. Dated 4 Feb. 1703. The petition and six other papers connected therewith. 8 pages.
Feb. 7.	43. Presentment of the Officers of Works for the charge of the last quarter for works, great part of which was occasioned by the last violent winds. Dated 7 Feb. 1703–4. Minuted:—“24 May 1704. To be paid so much as remaines due in y^e quarter ended at X^tmas last.” 5 pages.
Feb. 7.	44. Letter from Robert Delavall to Robert Dormer, Esq., M.P., Chancellor of the County Palatine of Durham, for his interest to be exerted with the L^d High Treasurer and M^r Lowndes, for a stamper's place, his expectations of which had been frustrated. Dated 7 Feb. 1703–4. 3 pages. Another shorter letter on the same subject and date. 2 pages.
Feb. 7.	45. Two papers in relation to the account of M^r John Knight and the Com^rs of Public Accounts, viz., as to money furnished upon tallies. Dated 7 Feb. 1703. 2½ pages.
Feb. 8.	46. Late Com^rs for sick and wounded seamen, &c., answer to Com^rs of Acco^ts Report. Dated 8 Feb. 1703–4. A duplicate in better condition. Each 2½ pages.
Feb. 8.	47. Letter from M^r Dummer to the Lord High Treasurer, enclosing copy of two letters in relation to the packet boats between Falmouth and the West Indies. The letter dated 8 Feb. 1703–4. 3 pages.
Feb. 8.	48. Report of the Officers of Works to the L^d High Treasurer, on the petition of Benjamin Jackson, master mason, for work done in Kensington Garden. Although according to the ancient institutions and usage of their office, he being one of the four principal officers who sign the books, ought not to have taken the work, and so have appeared to have been judge and party, yet the work was well performed, and 1,651l. 5s. 7½d. might be allowed. Dated 8 Feb. 1703–4. 1 page.
Feb. 8.	49. “A state of y^e acco^t of R^t Hono^ble Rich^d, Earl of Ranelagh, late Payma^r Gen^ll of y^e Forces, from y^e first of Aprill 1692 to y^e 25^th of March 1699, according to y^e books of acco^t delivered in by his Lo^pp y^e vouch^s of w^ch being imperfect, & not all returned from the Com^rs of Acco^ts, cannot yet be examined so as to make any perfect state thereof.” Also states of several of his accounts between 26 March 1699 and 24 Dec. 1701. Dated 8 Feb. 1703. Minuted:—“3 Apr. 1704. Write to my L^d Ranelagh to hasten ye sending in his account to y^e aud^r for ye year 1702, and also his account for y^e Hospital.” 12½ pages.
Feb. 8.	50. Various accounts of expenses connected with the Office for Trade and Plantations, with certificates by the Com^rs as to their correctness. Dated 8 Feb. 1703–4. 19 pages.
Feb. 8.	51. Answer to the House of Commons of Simon Mayne, one of the late Com^rs for Victualling, to the report of the Com^rs for stating the public accounts, viz., as to the victualling office. Dated on the back 8 Feb. 1703. 11½ pages.
Feb. 8.	52. Similar answer of M^r Auditor Bridges in relation to the account of M^r Henry Baker, solicitor of the Treasurer. Dated 8 Feb. 1703. 4 pages.
Feb. 8.	53. The answer of Richard, Earl of Ranelagh, late Payma^r Gen^ll of all her Ma^ties forces, to the report of the Hon^ble the Com^rs of Acco^ts, relating to him and his accounts. Dated 8 Feb. 1703. 24 pages.
Feb. 9.	54. Petition of Thomas Wotton and Robert Fowle, goldsmiths, addressed to the Queen, asking that by privy seal or otherwise he might enjoy the benefit of a mortgage of certain messuages, lands, &c. in Chepstead, Moastham, Mayston alias Marsham, and Gatton, in the co. of Surrey, for the term of 500 years, an Act of Parliament having passed to oblige Edward Whitaker to account for public moneys received by him, and he being in possession of the mortgaged property. Dated on the back 9 Feb. 1703–4. 1 page.
Feb. 9.	55. Letter from M^r W^m Lowndes to the Agents for Taxes, sending a letter from the principal Com^rs for Prizes touching the taxation of sundry prize goods in a warehouse in Lime Street ward, in the city of London, together with the opinion of the Attorney General thereon. The Lord High Treasurer directs them to prepare a letter thereon to the Com^rs for Taxes in London. Dated 9 Feb. 1703. The papers referred to, and another paper in double columns on the same subject. 11 pages.
Feb. 10.	56. Report of the Com^rs of Prizes to the Lord High Treasurer, finding that the allegations in the petition of Sarah Jackson, widow of John Jackson, a land surveyor, to the Prize Office, were true as regarded her destitution from the sickness and death of her husband. Dated 10 Feb. 1703–4. Minuted:—“3 Apr. 1704. 25^li to be allowd her.” 1 page.
Feb. 10.	57. Report of Edward Harley, Esq., one of the Auditors of Imprest, on the petition of the Deputy Chamberlains for joining tallies in the Court of Exchequer, for the fee of 2s. per 1,000l. for joining tallies on customs. Dated 10 Feb. 1703. Minuted:—“3 Apr. 1704. To be p[ai]d as usual.” 2 pages.
Feb. 11	58. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer, as to the importation of wine in casks containing 1/3 more than they ought to hold, advising that an enactment in Parliament should be obtained in relation thereto. Dated 11 Feb. 1703–4. The particulars of certain importations and the draft of a clause for an Act. 3 pages.
Feb. 11.	59. Report of the same to the same, on the petition of Herman Boucherie, merchant in Flushing, who was owner of a privateer which captured two French prizes laden with salt and wine, which by a storm were driven into Mounts Bay, viz., as to entry of the goods on paying the salt duty. Dated 11 Feb. 1703–4. Minuted:—“3^d Aprill 1704. Ordered.” The petition, a certificate as to the circumstances of the arrival of the ships, &c., with numerous signatures. 4 pages.
Jan. 27 and Feb. 11.	60. Two petitions (nearly in the same terms) of Sarah Cantwell, widow of Walter Cantwell, late provost marshall, deceased, each having a bill of expences for repairs and strengthening the Marshalsea prison at the Savoy, for securing deserters and recruits; praying payment. Dated 27 Jan. and 11 Feb. 1703–4. To the second is a memorandum of customary allowances. Minuted:—“26 Feb^y 1703. Ref. to Comptrollers of y^e Forces.” 5 pages.
Feb. 11.	61. Letter from the Com^rs of Prizes to M^r Lowndes enclosing their presentment to the Lord High Treasurer of the proceedings of M^r Hugh Jones, agent for prizes at Falmouth, who had in many things acted in direct opposition to the orders given to him. The letter further relates to some prizes taken at Teneriffe. Dated 11 Feb. 1703–4. The presentment referred to, dated 10 Feb. 1703–4, the charge against M^r Hugh Jones, extracted from original letters and affidavits, and “extracts of depositions relating to prizes taken by the Deptford, &c., at Teneriffe.” Minuted:—“25 Feb^y 1703. The Com^rs to dismiss Hugh Jones & to present another to my L^d, whom they think proper for this employm^t.” 10½ pages.
Feb. 11.	62. Memorial of Sir John Stanley, Warden of the Mint, to the L^d High Treasurer for the discharge of certain bills of M^r Robert Weddell, clerk to the warden, for prosecuting coiners, by M^r Borrett, solicitor to the Treasury. Dated 11 Feb. 1703–4. 1 page.
Feb. 12.	63. An estimate of the value of the ordnance, armes, and stores of war, wanted in the Leeward Islands, according to the particular of Col. Matthew, Governor of the said islands, received from the Lords Com^rs for Trade and Plantations. Dated 12 Feb. 1703–4. A copy of this is an enclosure to a paper dated 23 Feb. 1703–4. 3 pages.
Feb. 15.	64. Report of the Post Masters General to the L^d High Treasurer, in respect to the kind of packets to be employed to the West Indies; recommending four to be employed of 120 tons burthen, to carry 25 men each. Dated 15 Feb. 1703. With this are two schemes:— 1. The scheme proposed by M^r Dummer of the charge of five vessels, to make three voyages each in 12 months, to the Island Plantations in the West Indies, each vessel to be of burden 150 tons and manned with 30 men. 2. The scheme propos'd by Her Ma^ties Post M^r Gen^l. 2 pages.
Feb. 15.	65. Letter of the Earl of Nottingham to the Lord High Treasurer, enclosing a bill of M^r John Goddard, her Majesty's consul at Tunis. It had been laid before the Queen, and she desired it might be paid. Dated 15 Feb. 1703–4. The following is the title of the bill:— “An acco^t of sundry expences and disbursments made by me, John Goddard, for her Ma^tys servis, att the renewing & rattifeying the peace between her said Maj^ty and this Governm^t of Tunis in the month of October anno 1703, by Cap^t Thomas Swanton, Cap^t Robert Arris, & myself.” Minuted:—“28 March 1704. Orderd.” 2 pages.
Feb. 16.	66. Narrative by M^r Bourk, the victualling agent at Liverpool, giving his account of transactions between him and the Victualling Office and persons of whom he bought provisions. The bad payment of the victuallers of the navy had been his ruin. Exhibited 16 Feb. 1703. 5 pages.
Feb. 16.	67. Letter from the Com^rs of Revenue for Ireland to M^r Secretary Lowndes, as to a judgment obtained by M^r Chartres, who was a security with Nicholas Green. The recommendation of M^r Charles Young to be one of the four Surveyors General of the Revenue came too late, &c. Dated 16 Feb. 1703. 1 page.
[About Feb. 16.]	68. “The substance of the report given in by M^r Newton concerning M^r White's proposal about pasting a mill-mark upon paper & parchment [to prevent counterfeits]. Undated. Drawn up in M^r Isaac Newton's hand, & signed by him. In the Letter Book, Vol. XL. p. 328, 16 Feb. 1703–4, M^r White was desired to attend M^r Newton with the proposition for preventing frauds in the stamp duty. ½ page.
Feb. 17.	69. Report of the Agents for Taxes to the Lord High Treasurer on the petition and bill of particulars of Robert Burridge, Esq., Rec^r Gen^l of part of the county of Devon; relating to allowances craved by him. Dated 17 Feb. 1703. The document referred to and an affidavit. 4 pages.
Feb. 18.	70. “Copy of Sir Edw^d Northey's opinion concerning the disposition of the Savoy hospital;” in the nature of a report on the petition of William Jessop, Esq., and on the Surveyor General's report thereon. Giving historical particulars of the hospital and advising the renewal of the lease to the petitioner. Dated 18 Feb. 1703. 3½ pages.
Feb. 18.	71. Copy of Sir Edw^d Northey's opinion, dated the 18 Febr[uar]y 1703–4, relating to returned goods from Holland. Dated 18 Feb. 1703–4. [The copy probably made a good deal later.] 2 pages.
Feb. 19.	72. Letter of Thomas Hewett to the Lord High Treasurer, as to payment of the Verderers of the Forest of Sherwood in money, instead of fee trees, and the settlement of the same on a sure fund. Dated 19 Feb. 1703. Minuted:—“28 March 1704. Out of ye Excheq^r.” 1 page, quarto.
Feb. 21.	73. Report of the Com^rs of Excise to the L^d High Treasurer, on the petition of M^r John Newman, distiller, as to a debt due from the petitioner. Dated 21 Feb. 1703. Also the petition. 2 pages.
Feb. 21.	74. Letter of M^r Ralph Blackhall to William Lowndes, Esq. He had attended the Post Masters General and M^r Castleton and the auditor, and still continued suspended. He was a singular instance of a person suspended for no crime and denied executing an office. Dated 21 Feb. 1703–4. Minuted:—“28 March 1704. My L^d will hear all partys on y^e 10^th of May next.” 1 page.
Feb. 21.	75. M^r Fra^s Wild & Sir Rich^d Hoare's report on M^r Smethin the goldsmith's bill. Dated 21 Feb. 1703–4. Minuted:—“3 Aprill 1704. My Lord hath read this report, and thinks an abatement ought to be made for the timely payments that have been made during the reigne.” 1 page.
Feb. 22.	76. Memorial of the Earl of Ranelagh to the Lord [High Treasurer] as to a bill for 2,316l. 5s. 8d. drawn on him by M^r Sweet by the Duke of Marlborough's direction. Dated 22 Feb. 1703–4. Minuted:—“Agreed.” 1 page, quarto.
Feb. 22.	77. Report of the Attorney General to the Lord High Treasurer, on the petition of Thomas Randall, merchant, and on certain affidavits as to the duties on goods landed at Pool, about which there had been a trial. Dated 22 Feb. 1703–4. The petition, affidavits, &c. Minuted:—“4 Apr. 1704. Agree with y^e report.” 18½ pages.
Feb. 23.	78. Report of the Com^rs of Excise to the L^d High Treasurer, on the petition of Mr. Geo. Banson, one of the sureties of Mr. Henry Banson, deceased, formerly a collector of Excise, for a nolle prosequi to be entered against him. The latter was a collector under the late farmers for the bishopric of “Durham and Newcastle” and was considerably indebted to them, and getting out of debt with them became involved with the Excise, and proceedings thereon were then pending. Dated 23 Feb. 1703. Minuted:—“3 Apr. 1704. Signifie to y^e Comm^rs that my Lord leaves this matter to y^e law.” Also the petition. 2½ pages.
Feb. 23.	79. Order in Council made upon a representation from the Com^rs for Trade and Plantations, founded on a memorial of the Governor of the Leeward Islands, for a supply of stores of war necessary for those islands, also on an estimate of the charge thereof from the Ordnance, viz., that the stores be provided. Dated 23 Feb. 1703. Accompanied by the “estimate.” 4½ pages.
Feb. 23.	80. Letter signed “W. Cheyne” to John Henley, Esqre., asking that the bonds taken by Captⁿ Player of John Nicholl, who stood charged at M^r Henley's board with selling lace, might be relaxed. He considered these dealers were not within the law for hawkers and pedlers. Dated 23 Feb. 1703. 1 page, quarto.
Feb. 24.	81. “An estimate of the charge of employing five vessells of 150 tons each to carry on a corespondence monthly, between England and the Islands in the West Indies, by propounding to build five vessells free of all charge, and to maintain the current expence of the same annually, free of all risque to Her Maj^tie by enemyes or other accidents, at a very easie charge to her revenue.” Signed “E. Dummer.” Dated 24 Feb. 1703–4. Accompanied by “The explication to the proposall of carrying on a correspondence with the West Indies, with little charge & burden to her Ma^ties revenue.” 2 pages and 2 halves.
Feb. 24.	82. Memorial of the Governor, &c., of Chelsea Hospital to the Lord High Treasurer, laying before him an account of what vacancies have been in the royal hospital at Chelsea, and in the four companies of invalids, since their reduction on 25 March 1703, and how they have been filled up to the 24th of Feb. 1703–4. 3 pages.
Feb. 24.	83. Memorial of W. Whitfeild to the Lord High Treasurer, as to the levy money for marine companies, including the raising five new companies in the room of those that were drowned in the late storm. Dated 24 Feb. 1703–4. 1 page.
Feb. 24 and 25.	84. Testimonial by the mayor, aldermen, and inhabitants of Falmouth, to the good character and ability of John Symons, mariner of that town, and of his eligibility to be employed by her Majesty in the tin trade. Dated 24 Feb. 1703. Similar testimonial of the mayor, &c., of Penryn. Dated 25 Feb. 1703. Each with several signatures. 2 pages.
[About Feb. 25.]	85. Memorial of the Bishop of Bath and Wells [who had lately been translated from the see of S^t Asaph]; the charge of entering his late bishopric was nearly equal to what he had received from it; prays to be released from his first fruits for the see of Asaph, as there were great arrears of tenths. The bishopric of Bath and Wells suffered great dilapidations, amounting to 300l., caused by the late storm. They could not be charged on the executors of the late bishop, because one part of them was the cause of his death, and the other accompanied it so close as not to be distinguished, whether they happened before or after; praying for consideration in his first fruits. Minuted:—“25 Feb. 1703. My L^d thinks it reasonable to respit this, there being a bill depending in parliam^t.” 1 page.
[? About Feb. 25.]	86. Memorial of M^r W. Whitfeild to the Lord High Treasurer, praying for payment of the subsistence and clearings of the six Marine regiments. Minuted:—“25 Feb. 1703–4. Orderd.” 2 pages.
[? About Feb. 25.]	87. Petition of Sir Clowdesley Shovell to the Queen. Sir George Rooke left to his care and management the fitting, victualling and manning the prizes taken from the French and Spaniards at Vigo. He undertook the fatigue, and in some cases of necessity distributed money to the seamen to make the work go briskly on, and by his constant attendance and presence at all difficult works, fitted the ships with masts, &c., from French ships driven on shore, bilged and sunk in the harbour; and saved the cargoes of two galleons driven on shore but not bilged (without taking to himself the worth of 5l. though much plate, &c. was recovered from the galleons), and faithfully delivered the same to the prize office. By his care and direction about 60 brass guns were saved out of the ships bilged and sunk; craves a royal bounty. Minuted:—“25 Feb^y 1703. My lord will speak wth him ab^t this & accounting for m^o, armes, &c.” 1 page.
[? About Feb. 25.]	88. Petition of George Sewell, Richard Sampson, and John Davis, three of the footmen to his late Ma^tie King William, addressed to the Queen, for payment of their arrears, &c. They were the only English footmen of the late King left unprovided for. Minuted:—“25 Feb. 1703. See w^t arrears are due to them. M^r Latten certifies 198^l 15^s to be due to y^m, for one year & ¼ salary, and 19^li 2 3 for travailling charges, in all 217 17 3.” 1 page.
[? About Feb. 25.]	89. Petition of Gregory Cornish, Robert Peck, and William Parker, all superannuated officers of ships. In the year 1697 they were assessed 4s. in the pound on their allowances. The Government would not accept malt tickets in which their allowances were paid. Seven years' tax was now demanded of them, and to pay it would swallow up more than was due to them; praying that the tax might be taken off. Minuted:—“25 Feb. 1703. The taxes are appropriated & my L^d hath no power.” 1 page.
Feb. 28.	90. “A list of what prizes have been taken since this present warr (viz.) from the 4th day of May 1702, and brought into the harbour of Port Royall in the island of Jamaica, and there condemned in her Ma^ts High Court of Adm^ty in the said island, unto this 28^th day of February 1703.” 1 broad page.
Feb. 28.	91. Memoranda of sums due to the regiments of Col. Holt, Lord Shannon, and Col. Fox, for subsistence and clearings. Dated 28 Feb. 1703–4. Docqueted—“M^r Whitfeild's paper.” 1 page.
Feb. 28.	92. Report of the Officers of the Works to the Lord High Treasurer, on the petition of Alexander Fort, master joiner by patent, which stood suspended over the two reigns of Kings Charles II. and James II., but was acted on in King William's time. They employed the person fittest to do the work, and had asserted a power over the patentees to employ whom they pleased, when necessity required it (of which they were judges, as well as of the prices) without which they could not be responsible, and the patentees would be too apt to impose on the office by enhancing the prices. Dated 28 Feb. 1703–4. Minuted:—“4 Apr. 1704. My L^d agrees w^th y^e report.” 1 page.
Feb. 29.	93. Report of M^r S. Travers, Surveyor General, to the Lord High Treasurer. He says having perused “the petition of Gilbert Jones, woodward of her Majesties forest of Waltham, setting forth his fidelity in the discharge of his trust for twenty-three years past, and that he did formerly fence in two groves called King's Grove & Queen's Grove at his own charge, without any allowance for the same, that he hath divers perquisites due to him out of her Majesty's timber and wood within the said forest when felled by order of the crowne; that he is unpaid his wages as woodward for some years, and that he had been prosecuted by malitious men, and confined several months, which cost him above two hundred pounds, and praying that his case might be considered before any lease passes of the said groves. I thereupon inclosed a copy of the petition in a letter to the verderers of the said forest, wherein I desired them to examine the allegations thereof, and certify in particular what perquisites do belong to the woodward, if her Majesty makes a grant of the said groves, with the wood thereon, and have received the annexed certificate under the hands of three of them, wherein they say that they find all the allegations in the petition, and especially that relating to the perquisites, to be true; that they have viewed the four groves intended to be granted to George Finch, Esq^re, and that the assarting the same will not only deface the beauty of the forest, but be prejudicial to the vert & venison.” When one Goulstone had petitioned for a lease of these groves, he (the surveyor) had written to Jones, and had received an answer that the assart would not be prejudicial to the forest, either in vert or venison, there being much better covert near the said groves than ever they were or were likely to be. He (the surveyor) had viewed and caused them to be measured and valued, when he received a warrant to make a constat for M^r Finch, and considered it a very different case to that of Walwood (the assarting whereof the verderers alleged proved fatal to the adjacent part of the forest), where little or no covert remained, for in the neighbourhood of these groves were many hundred of acres of good covert, &c. He had prepared a constat of the premises to have passed to M^r Finch for 31 years at 4l. 10s. per ann. rent and 20l. fine, with an exception of all mines, quarries, and prerogatives, and timber trees then or thereafter growing thereon, and a clause giving liberty to enclose and convert the premises to arrable or pasture at his own charge, the lessee leaving such a sufficient number of choice young saplings for timber in the most convenient parts of the premises as the woodward or other proper officer should think reasonable, &c. Dated 29 Feb. 1703–4. The petition and the other papers referred to. On the back of the petition is this minute:—“4 Apr. 1704. Let y^e lease to M^r Finch pass.” 5½ pages.
Feb. 29.	94. “Postmaster General's representation to my Lord High Treasurer for an additional allowance of one shilling per ton per calendar month to be made M^r Dummer for the new Lisbon boats over and above the 7^s and 6^d agreed formerly to be allowed him; he alledging he will not proceed upon the former terms agreed to.” The boats were just finished, and they hoped would shortly be at Falmouth ready to enter into the service, and a fourth would shortly be provided, by the addition whereof the mails to and from Portugal might go and return weekly. Dated 29 Feb. 1703. 2 pages.
Feb.	95. Copy of the Com^rs of Transports' report on the petition of W^m and Eliza Kidgell as to certificates for money due to ships in the reduction of Ireland in 1690, about which there had been a suit. Dated Feb. 1703–4. 1 page.
March 2.	96. Letter signed “Geo. Clarke” to M^r Lowndes. By the Queen's directions the colonels of Marine regiments had been discoursed with about their recruits. They required 3l. a head for levy money, and sent the enclosed paper to show their difficulties. Dated 2 March 1703–4. The paper referred to. 2½ pages.
March 2.	97. Order in Council on a representation of the Com^rs for Trade and Plantations upon a memorial from the agents of the island of Barbadoes, praying stores of war necessary for that island, with a copy of an estimate of the same; referring the matter to the Lord High Treasurer. Dated 2 March 1703. The copies referred to. 5 pages.
March 3.	98. Report of S. Travers, Surveyor General, to the Lord High Treasurer on the representation of the Lord Granville, finding that the castle of Lidford (wherein the stannary prison for Devonshire had been kept, and within the site whereof the courts were held for the borough of Lidford) was certified by the parliamentary survey in 1650 to be in much decay. He believed nothing had been done to it since that time, for nothing remained but the bare stone walls without any roof. The lead and timber he believed had been pillaged by the poor people, of whom the neighbouring country (being adjacent to Dartmoor) abounded. The want of a place to confine offenders in made the laws ineffectual, and whilst her Majesty continued to hold the pre-emption of tin in her own hands, the reparation of the prison was of the greater necessity. He had no objection to the estimate for the same. He was told the inhabitants were very apprehensive of the charge of a parcel of necessitous prisoners on that poor place. The castle of Trematon was anciently the seat of the Earls of Cornwall, but nothing remained of it besides the “out walls” for many years; but within the site thereof was an old house wherein the keeper of the castle “uses to live,” and in which the prison for persons arrested in the whole honor, manor, and fee, is kept, and wherein are held the courts for that part of the honor and manor which lieth in Cornwall. This castle with the site, a small park, and some parcels of land, were granted, a^o 2 Car. I., with the office of keeper, by letters patent for three lives at a rent of 1l. 6s. 8d., &c. The court and prison would be totally ruined unless about 60l. were laid out on them. But it was probable the proceeds of the copy of the “stannary laws” to be printed, would, besides defraying the necessary charges, go a great way towards the repair of the prison and court house. Dated 3 March 1703–4. The representation referred to and an estimate. 5½ pages.
March 3.	99. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the L^d High Treasurer, on the account of John Lesbire, an inhabitant of the island of Jersey, of several fines and forfeitures imposed there, which (as he alleged) belonged to her Majesty, but had been taken by Philip Pipon, under pretence that he was farmer of the revenue there; though they were no part of the revenue of the island, being imposed for offences committed against penal statutes made in England. The Lord Jermyn, Governor of the island of Jersey, or his farmer, was not entitled by his patent to the Queen's part of forfeitures on penal statutes. Such forfeitures could not be granted before the crown was entitled by the act done that made the forfeiture; an account should be required of such fines, &c. Dated 3 March 1703–4. The account and a copy of the Attorney General's opinion. Minuted:—“Read 20^th March 1703. My lord directs the coll^r of ye customs to attend M^r Attorney & take his advice what remedy is proper to take for recovering these fines & forfeitures & to pursue the same at her Ma^ts charge.” “L~r writ.” See Letter Book, Vol. XI. p. 344. 5 pages.
March 3.	100. Report of S. Travers, Surveyor General, to the Lord High Treasurer, on the petition of Ambrose Pudsey, Esq. In 1696 the King granted to George Tushingham, gent., all the mines and veins of lead found, or to be found, in the lands or field of Grinton, Whiteside, and Harkaside, parcel of the manor of Grinton in Yorkshire; and also within the lands of Fremington, in the county of York, for 31 years; at certain rents and 1/10 of the annual profits. The petitioner desired a grant of the tenth part, which had amounted to about 20l. a year. The mines had proved richer since the last Michaelmas. The petitioner offered 30l. a year and a third part of what the tenth should produce above the 30l. a year. Advising that he should pay 20l a year and two thirds, or at least a moiety of what it should amount to above the rent. He had received an anonymous paper that the produce had been most extraordinary, and that the tenth might come to 300l. or 400l. per ann. Dated 3 March 1703–4. The petition and an account of Henry Shales, auditor, of the profits of the mine. Minuted:—“Direct M^r Batem[an?] to attend M^r Surv^r to make out the allegations. My Lord will speak with M^r Att. upō this report at his next attendance.” 4½ pages.
March 3.	101. Report of M^r Edward Wilcox to the Lord High Treasurer, on the repairs of the lodges in Wichwood Forest. Dated 3 March 1703. Minuted:—“Orderd.” 1 page.
March 3.	102. Report signed W. Borrett on the petition of James Durrant, asking for recompense for the apprehension of Read and Jackson, for carrying over persons to Dunkirk. Thomas White, on petitioner's information, was sent for in custody, and said amongst other things, that he saw “one Caron a Scotchman come into Dunkirk with the French King's letter to S^t Paul.” Dated 3 March 1703–4. Also the petition. Minuted:—“4 Apr. 1704. To have 20^li by łres Pat[ent]. dormant.” 2 pages.
March 3.	103. Memorial of J. Howe to the Lord High Treasurer as to the means for paying the dues to the Royal Hospital. Dated 3 March 1703–4. 3 pages.
March 3.	104. Letter from the Earl of Nottingham to the Lord High Treasurer, signifying her Majesty's pleasure, that as the service on which M^r Redmond Morris was detained was over, and he at liberty to return to Ireland, he should receive 20l. or 30l. as his circumstances required. Dated 3 Mar. 1703–4. Minuted:—“11^th Mar. 1703–4. My Lord ord^rs him 30l. out of sec. ser. money clear of charges.” 1 page, quarto.
March 4.	105. “Articles of a treaty made between her Maj^ty and the States Gen^ll and the Duke of Holstein for his troops, 15th March 1703, N.S. [i.e. 4 March] that relate to their pay.” 4 pages.
March 7.	106. Report of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer, upon a letter from the Portugal Envoy concerning arms exported and to be exported for the use of the King of Portugal, referring his Lordship to a former letter of theirs on a similar subject. Unless the arms were bonâ fide exported, for the immediate account and risk of the King of Portugal, and not by way of contract or merchandise they ought not to pass free of customs. Dated 7 March 1703–4. The first letter is not now with it, but the second is; together with a memorandum of the goods to be shipped. Minuted:—“3 Apr. 1704. My Lord concurs with the Com^rs in their opinion & intimate the same to Portugal Envoy.” 2 pages and 2 halves.
March 7.	107. “List of the regim^ts which the King of Portugal had on foot y^e 7^th of March 1703.” 2 pages.
March 9.	108. Letter signed Hugh Jones to the Lord High Treasurer, asking his Lordship to give directions to the Com^rs of Prizes to send him the charge and answer of the writer. He doubted not, on perusal of his answer and evidences, his innocence would appear. Dated 9 March 1703–4. 1 page.
March 10.	109. Presentment of the Com^rs of Customs to the Lord High Treasurer, as to a survey of the northern ports to be executed by M^r Patrick Mein, of whose ability and discretion they had had former experience in the plantations and in this kingdom. He was to be joined with two others. Dated 10 March 1703–4. Minuted:—“My Lord approves their sending these men to make the survey, according to such instructions as ye C. think proper to give them, but direct ye Com^rs to send a draft of their instructions.” 1 page.
March 10.	110. Letter from Thomas Knox to M^r Secretary Lowndes, enclosing for the L^d High Treasurer an answer to the Com^rs of the Revenue's Report, relating to the discovery made by him of a correspondence held and a trade carried on by sending wool from Ireland into France. It seemed a little strange that the Com^rs could give but three instances in 13 years of the practice, when in three months enquiry he gave account of 35 ships sent from hence; praying for a reward of his service. Dated 10 March 1703–4. The paper to which reference is made. 3 pages.
March 13.	111. Report of the Attorney General to the Queen, on the petition of James Trefusis, whereby it was represented that the late King, by letters patent of 17 Oct. in his 3^rd year, granted to the petitioner and others for 14 years the sole use and benefit of an engine whereby they were enabled to work under water for several hours together, with a prohibition to any person from making use of the like without licence during that term, and that none of the patentees had worked the same but the petitioner, and he had made no profit of the same, although he had been at great charges. It was doubted whether what he should take out of the sea would belong to him, the patent not fully expressing the same. The petitioner prayed Her Majesty to grant him the treasures he should take by means of the invention for seven years, rendering such portion as to Her Majesty should seem meet. The Attorney certifies that King William III., by letters patent of the above date, granted to James Trefusis and two others the sole privilege of using and enjoying for 14 years an engine by them invented, of covering vessels and pipes, whereby they were enabled to work several fathoms under water for divers hours together, without any want of air, which patent would determine in October 1705; but there was no grant to the patentees of the goods they should gain, &c. The Attorney General's opinion was that it would be for the benefit of the Queen and the public, to encourage the petitioner to proceed in gaining by his invention that which would otherwise never be likely to be of use to anybody, and to grant the petitioner what he should gain out of the British seas by means of his engine within the time desired; reserving such a portion as Her Majesty should think fit, and Her Majesty might lawfully make such a grant. Dated 13 March 1703–4. At the Court at Whitehall, 17 April 1704, Her Majesty directed that the Lord High Treasurer should report what proportion should be reserved for Her Majesty. Also the petition. It is further minuted:—“10^th May 1704. Set forth y^e preced^ts & lay y^e same before y^e Queen.” 3½ pages.
March 13.	112. Letter from Philip le Hardy to William Lowndes, Esq. On the 20th of Dec. last there was a scheme of fines and forfeitures of wool laid before the L^d High Treasurer. The report of the Com^rs of Customs thereon was lodged with M^r Powis. If speedy prosecution were not made, the person who was possessed of the fines would be in the island of Jersey, where he would be protected from the laws of England. He hoped that his business would be despatched, as it was impossible for him to stay longer, being commanded to his post [which was governor of a garrison in Jersey]. Dated 13 March 1703–4. 1 page.
March 14.	113. Report of the Com^rs of Excise to the Lord High Treasurer on the petition of M^r John Jennins, formerly a collector of Excise, dismissed from his employment, as to proceedings about the balance of his account. Dated 14 March 1703–4. Also the petition. Minuted:—“3^d April 1704. My Lord agrees with this report, but he is to pay the remainder of the money, or they are to proceed.” 3 pages.
March 14.	114. Letter from the Com^rs of Prizes to M^r Lowndes, enclosing extract of a letter from Ellis Terrill, Esq., agent for prizes at Lisbon, touching the sinking of the S^t Antonio of Padua, a Genoese vessel, taken as prize by Sir Andrew Leake, and carried into the river of Lisbon and there embargoed by order of the King of Portugal, upon pretence that she was taken within view of his castles. Dated 14 March 1703–4. Also the extract. Minuted:—“3 Apr. 1704. Respited till y^e matter is tryd in ye Admiralty Court.” 2 pages.
March 14.	115. Report of M^r W^m Borrett to the Lord High Treasurer, on the case of Elizabeth Fass, widow and relict of Matthias Fass. M^r Borrett had taken out letters of administration on the death of Matthias Fass, who was said to have died without any relation; against which a caveat was entered by the petitioner, &c. Dated 14 March 1703–4. The petition and some affidavits relating thereto. The petitioner says she had only a show of figures of waxwork of medals, Bristol stones, and other materials of inconsiderable value, by which she and her husband had got a livelihood. Minuted:—“Order M^r Borret to discharge the pet^r upon filing a comon bail.” 10 pages or parts of pages.
[About March 15.]	116. Petition of the Clothiers of her Majesty's forces in Holland and Portugal to the Duke of Marlborough, Captⁿ General of Her Ma^tys forces, praying him to speak to the L^d High Treasurer for their arrears of off-reckonings. Minuted:—“Read 15 March 1703. The off-reckonings cannot be paid & allowed regularly w^thout rolls.” 1 page, quarto.
March 15.	117. Letter of the Duke of Ormond to the Lord High Treasurer, on the petition of Henry Lace, as to the seizure of certain ships forfeited in the late reign, for trading with France. For better information he had referred the same to the Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench and Chief Baron of the Exchequer, whose report he transmitted. Dated Dublin Castle, 15 March 1703. Minuted:—“24 May 1704. The petition is dismissd.” Also the report, dated 4 Dec. 1703. 5½ pages.
March 17.	118. Letter from the Com^rs of Prizes to M^r Lowndes as to the disposal of the brass ordnance and broken pieces of metal from Vigo. Dated 17 March 1703–4. Minuted:—“My Lord leaves it to them to do herein according to ye best of their discretions. L~re writt.” See Letter Book, Vol. XI. p. 344. 1 page.
March 18.	119. Admiralty letter to M^r Lowndes as to the payment of Captains Sanders, Rumsey, and Martin their share of the Vigo prize money. Dated 18 March 1703–4. 1 page.
March 18.	120. Letter of the Com^rs of Prizes to the L^d High Treasurer, as to medals and rewards to persons who had done eminent services in connection with Vigo. There was then no money in the hands of the Receiver General of Prizes. A proportion of her Majesty's share should be reserved in their treasurer's hands. Dated 18 March 1703–4. 1 page.
March 19.	121. Two letters of the Earl of Clarendon to William Lowndes, Esq., asking him to put the Lord High Treasurer in mind of him and prevail with him to grant his request (without stating what it was). He would keep his word with his Lordship and he should not be troubled any more till after Midsummer 1705. One is dated 19 March 1703–4, the other “Thursday afternoon.” Minuted:—“Orderd 20^th March. 375^l.” 2 pages, octavo.
March 20.	122. Letter of M^r Edw. Seymour to M^r Lowndes in relation to the repairs of the keepers' lodges in one of the forests. Dated Bradley [? Wilts] 20 Mar. 1703–4. 1 page.
March 20.	123. Letter of the Com^rs for Prizes to M^r Lowndes enclosing state of the prize accounts. Dated 20 Mar. 1703–4. 3 pages.
[March 20.]	124. Petition of George Collins, messenger, ordered to attend the Duke of Marlborough on his next campaign, praying to be allowed his expenses during the last campaign for carrying expresses. His claim was for 288l. 3s. 11d. Referred 20 March 1703–4. Also his appointment. Minuted:—“Orderd.” 2 pages.
March 21.	125. Letter from the Admiralty to William Lowndes, Esq., about paying Captain Mitchell out of Vigo prize money as a captain in the royal navy. Dated 21 March 1703. 1 page.
March 23.	126. Warrants of the Earl of Jersey, countersigned by the Ld High Treasurer, (1) to the Master of the Great Wardrobe, for the providing a bible, prayer books, and various other requisites; and, (2) to the Master of the Jewel House, for the communion plate for the use of the chapel in the Leeward Islands. Dated 23 March 1703. 2 pages.
March 23.	127. Presentm^t of the Com^rs of Prizes to the L^d High Treasurer, asking for a warrant to allow the sums charged for taxes on the under officers of the prizes. Dated 23 March 1703–4. Minuted:—“Read 10^th May 1704. My lord cannot give any allowance for these taxes.” Accompanied by a list of the names, the salaries, &c. 2 pages.
March 23.	128. Report of M^r William Blathwayt and M^r W. Duncombe as to eight days pay to Brigadier Ferguson and Col. Row for their regiments, due to them at the time they were sent from Scotland to Holland. Dated 23 March 1703–4. Minuted:—“27 March 1704. D. Marlb^o present. This cañot be granted out of any of the English fonds, these regim^ts being paid by English m^o from y^e very day of imbarcac[i]on; but they are at lib[er]ty to apply to Scotl., where they should have been paid to their imbarcation.” 2 pages.
March 25.	129. “Mony assessed on the Officers of the Post Office by an Act for granting an aid of 4^s in the pound for land tax, and l^s for subsidies for the year ending at Lady day 1704, whose salaries do not exceed 60^li per ann.” 1 page.
March 25.	130. A mere scrap, being a memorial of Col. P. Howard to M^r Lowndes. Dated 25 Mar. 1704. Minuted:—“100^l out of secr.” Paid 27^th March 1704. 2 lines.
March 25.	131. An affidavit of Mary Dapwell, late of Bradfeild, in the county of Wilts, spinster, as to the care of Margaret James, an idiot daughter of M^rs Cole by her former husband. Sworn 25 March 1704. 1 page.
March 27.	132. “A particular of the bills drawn by S^r Henry Furnese for w^ch he is to be allowed commission, pursu^t to a minute of the 11^th of Jan^y 1703; showing the time when such bills were drawn, on whom, at what place, and days sight payable, at what rate given, for how much in guilders, and what was paid for the same in sterling money.” The last is 27th March 1704. 1 page.
March 27.	133. Letter from the Admiralty to M^r Lowndes communicating a proposal for the salaries of the marine establishment. Dated 27 March 1704. 1 page.
March 27.	134. Letter from Benjⁿ [ ] to the Lord High Treasurer in respect to the supply of English salt for the navy. He had written to Madam Boscowen on behalf of the coheiresses, the Marburies, requesting her to present a proposal relating to the same. Both rock salt and brine were on the estate of the Marburies, and if the proposal were accepted, his Lordship would find nothing but plainness, sincerity, and loyalty in the proposers. Dated Oxford, 27 Mar. 1703. Minuted:—“He must make his proposic[i]on to the Com^r of Victuall.” 2 pages.
March 28.	135. Letter from M^r John Sansom (Customs) to M^r Lowndes, transmitting a draft of the instructions which were given to the persons appointed to go upon the general survey of the northern ports. Dated 28 March 1704. There is also an abstract of the instructions as well as the instructions. 8 pages.
[? About March 28.]	136. Memorial of Captain James Desromanes, of Col. Elliot's regiment, to the Duke of Marlborough, captain general of her Majesty's forces, asking his grace's favour with the L^d High Treasurer to get an allowance for respits; the desertions and deaths at Portsmouth had been so great that the respits amounted to 50l. Minuted:—“28 March 1704. My Lord doth not intermeddle in this.” 2 pages, quarto.
[? About March 28.]	137. Petition of Charles Trubshaw, gent., to the Lord High Treasurer, praying for an order as to a debt from Thomas Vincent, Esq., deceased, due to the petitioner, as money lent, &c. by him to prosecute a suit which was decided against the proprietors of the New River Water Company, viz., for money charged on them for a poll tax which they had refused to pay. Minuted:—“To be read at large. 28 March 1704. If all partys are agreed renew y^e warr^t to levy y^e tallys.” 1 page.
March 28.	138. Letter signed J. Tucker to M^r Lowndes, asking for an allowance of 10l. to the magistrates of Seaford for having sent up a messenger with informations concerning one Tuppen, carried by Frenchmen into France and lately brought back, supposed on some ill design. M^r Secretary Hedges desired it might be paid. Dated 28 March 1704. Minuted:—“Orderd 10^li sec. ser.” 1 page, quarto.
March 28.	139. Petition of Gregory King, Esq., Lancaster herald, to the L^d High Treasurer, asking for two and a half years' salary as Lancaster herald, which by reason of the general decay of the profits and perquisites of the heralds was their chief support. Minuted:—“28 March 1704. Order'd one year.” 1 page.
March 29.	140. Report of S^r Edw. Northey to the L^d High Treasurer on the petition of Captain Edward Hopson, the certificate of Sir Cloudesley Shovell, the affidavits and the report of the Com^rs of Customs as to the verdict for 500l. in a trial against the petitioner for some goods supposed to be run, advising the remission of her Majesty's moiety. Dated 29 March 1704. At the action at Vigo the petitioner says “he was placed one of the first ships to attack the boom with Sir Thomas Hopson, and had the good fortune to seize a galleon,” &c. Minuted:—“3^rd Aprill 1704. A signe man^ll to discharge her Ma^ts part.” 7½ pages.
March 29.	141. M^r Auditor Harley's letter [to William Lowndes, Esq.] about the warrant for a privy seal to authorise the passing his account of healing medals. Dated 29 March 1704. 1 page and 2 lines.
March 29.	142. Certificate of the Auditors of Imprest of the several accounts taken before them, addressed to the Lord High Treasurer. Dated 29 March 1704. With minutes against them in the margin. 15½ pages.
March 30.	143. Letter of the [Com^rs] of Victualling to M^r Lowndes on a petition of Edward Searle and Charles Kent, merchants of London, as to bills drawn on their agent at Jamaica. Dated 30 March 1704. Also the petition. Minuted:—“3 Apr. 1704. My L^d concurrs w^th y^m as to ye paym^t of ye bills, but desires to know w^t course they have taken w^th this ag^t.” 2½ pages.
March 30.	144. Representation of the Com^rs of Prizes to the L^d High Treasurer as to the ill practices of M^r Thomas Power, agent for prizes at Bideford, testified by M^r Cary, M^r Rolls, and M^r Bulteel, members of parliament dwelling in Devonshire. If his Lordship should remove him, they recommended M^r William Kelly as his successor. Dated 30 March 1704. Minuted:—“3 Apr. 1704. Order'd.” 1 page.
March 30.	145. Report by M^r Auditor Shales to the L^d High Treasurer as to claims by bond on the estate of Edw^d Lord Griffin, attainted of high treason. Dated 30 March 1704. Minuted:—“3 Apr. 1704. Know how far y^e former p seales have or may be satisfyd.” 1 page.
March 30.	146. Three letters from the Lords Committee for the Plot, to the Lord High Treasurer, for payment of the charges incurred by Captain Philips, yeoman usher of the black rod, about the prisoners in his custody [for the Jacobite Plot]. Dated 4, 20, and 30 March 1704. With minutes on the back for payment out of secret service money. 3 pages.
March 30.	147. Report of a Committee of the House of Lords “appointed to consider the method of keeping records in offices.” They had enquired how the records in the Tower of London were kept, and had sent for M^r William Petyt, the keeper of those records, and had heard his account of the method observed. They had appointed a sub-committee to repair to the Tower to view the records and satisfy themselves of the state the same were in and how the office was executed, which they did accordingly. They report that the records in the office were in good condition and carefully kept, and the present officer had fairly transcribed the old calendars of most of the rolls; but there were a great number of rolls from the first year of King John to the end of Edward IV., without calendars or abstracts, viz., Rotuli Normanniæ, Franciæ, Vasconiæ, Walliæ, Romæ, Scotiæ, Almaniæ, et Hiberniæ, which would require careful perusal of all the entries by the clerks employed therein. The committee were of opinion that this would be a public service. In Cæsar's chapel under the leads in the White Tower, multitudes of records in several reigns, some relating to state matters and some to courts of justice, lay in confused heaps, and if speedy care were not taken of them were in great danger of utterly perishing. It would be a public damage, as well as dishonour to the kingdom, to suffer such memorials of antiquity to be lost. This would be too great a work to be undertaken by the keeper of the records, unless there were allowances made him for a considerable number of clerks who understood the languages and hands in which the records were written, and were capable of making abstracts of them under the care and direction of that officer. It did appear by the writs de calendariis faciendis, de rotulis et scriptis in recto ordine ponendis et expensis clericis ministrandis that these allowances had been anciently made to clerks attending the office of records within the Tower. If these records were cleaned and reduced to order, they might be placed in the room where the present office was kept at a small expense. Signed—“Math. Johnson, Cler. Parliamentor.” There is also an order by the House of Lords signed by him that this report should be, by the Lord High Treasurer, laid before her Majesty to give directions; and the Lord High Treasurer to acquaint the House what was done therein in the next sessions. Dated 30 March 1704. There is also a duplicate copy of these. 6 pages.
March 31.	148. Memorial of Allen Bathurst, Esq., to the Ld High Treasurer, for payment of expenses of her Majesty's household, including flambeaux, candles, &c. at the late king's funeral. Also an account of one part of the items up to 31 March 1704. 2 pages.
[? About March 1704.]	149. A list of officers and under-keepers of Windsor Forest, with their fees per annum. Undated, but compare this list with one in the Money Book, Vol. XVII. p. 114, with which it exactly agrees. 1 page.
[? March.]	150. Petition of James Verdon, clerk, to the Queen, for the grant to him, his executors and administrators, of the advowson of the church and rectory of East Dereham (Norfolk), and other premises, for such term as her Majesty saw fit; the grant of the same for 90 years, which was made by King James I. to William Pooley, then of Boxted (Suff.), knight, having lately expired. 1 page.