1920 STATE IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY 525 that passed through their hands, and it is clear that the changes are closely parallel to those in the political weight and activity of the secretaries. F. M. Greir Evans. AU Souls CoUege MS. 204, fo. 119. Dues payable to the secretary. 1. Pension of £462 10 per quarter payable out of the customs £1850 2. The patent fees payable at the Exchequer £100 3. Board Wages out of the Cofferers, 6/8 per diem, about £121 N. ? was once £1 per diem : and that the elder secretary has still 16s. a day. 4. For secret service by privy seal (with account but to his Majesty alone) £2000 N. The elder secretary hath £3000. Deductions. To the Treasurer of the Customs as a grat. per annum at midsummer and Xmas £10 To his clerks at New Year's time £2 10 No fees. Grat. to clerks 10s. 155. or 20s. The fees to be reckoned part of the disburse- ments of the money. Besides that allowances there belong to the secretary fees of ofl&ce for signatures as underwritten, which fees are usually received by the office keeper (tho' in the other office they are received by one of the clerks) who accounts for the same or pays them out as he is directed. Anno 1684. The clerks now in the office [of the Eight Honourable the Earl of Middleton] according to seniority are. 1. Mr. [John] Cooke, who receives apphcation about office business and reports the same to the secretary, he receives his directions thereupon, and in the secretary's absence directs the other clerks : he draws all draughts of warrants, letter com[missi]ons &c. that pass the King's hand ; he corresponds with most of the King's ministers abroad, is to judge of the style and forms of the office when anything occurs that is difficult, or without precedent ; he receives fees out of all businesses which pass the King's or the secretary's signature, vizt. out of each Warrant (which pays £6 5 0) £1
Bill 6 5
1
Petition referred 2
10
Commission for captain 6 5
£1
Commission for lieutenant 4
^l Commission for ensign 2 10 o nescio. 2. Mr. [Owen] Wynne, who receives from the secretary all papers and letters, domestic and foreign, and is obliged to have the same in readiness
