Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1721 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 volume
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The South Sea Company was founded in 1711 to trade with Spanish America, on the assumption that the War of the Spanish Succession would end with a treaty permitting such trade. The Treaty of Utrecht, 1713, was less favourable than had been hoped, but confidence in the Company remained artificially high. In 1720, there was an incredible boom in South Sea stock, as a result of the Company's proposal, accepted by parliament, to take over the national debt (South Sea Bubble). This eventually led to the collapse of the stock market in 1720 and the ruin of many investors. The House of Commons ordered an inquiry, which showed that at least three ministers had accepted bribes and speculated.
Archival history
Bought in 1947. Also known as R 1073.
GB 0097 SR 1073 1721 Collection (fonds) 1 volume House of Commons
The South Sea Company was founded in 1711 to trade with Spanish America, on the assumption that the War of the Spanish Succession would end with a treaty permitting such trade. The Treaty of Utrecht, 1713, was less favourable than had been hoped, but confidence in the Company remained artificially high. In 1720, there was an incredible boom in South Sea stock, as a result of the Company's proposal, accepted by parliament, to take over the national debt (South Sea Bubble). This eventually led to the collapse of the stock market in 1720 and the ruin of many investors. The House of Commons ordered an inquiry, which showed that at least three ministers had accepted bribes and speculated.
Bought in 1947. Also known as R 1073.
Printed reports of the House of Commons Committee of Secrecy, 1721, appointed to enquire into the 'Act for Enabling the South Sea Company to increase their present capital stock by redeeming such publick debts and incumbrances...and for calling in Exchequer Bills remaining uncancelled...'.
1 volume.
Open.
[Crown copyright].
English
No further list required.
The British Library of Political and Economic Science holds another collection relating to the South Sea Company (Ref: SR 0083).
The British Library, London, holds records of the South Sea Company, 1711-1856 (Ref: Add Mss 25494-584); the House of Lords Record Office has minutes, accounts, receipts and subscription books, 1711-1733; the Guildhall Library, London, contains correspondence and receipts, 1711-1765; the University of London Library holds warrants, deeds and accounts, 1712-1724 (Ref: Mss 89, 394); London Metropolitan Archives has a register of clerks, 1720-1853.
Sources: Historical Manuscripts Commission National Register of Archives. Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 project. Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Mar 2001 Finance Financial markets House of Commons , Committee of Secrecy International trade Investment Latin America South America South Sea Company x Corporation for carrying on trade to the South Seas Trade Trade (practice)
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Printed reports of the House of Commons Committee of Secrecy, 1721, appointed to enquire into the 'Act for Enabling the South Sea Company to increase their present capital stock by redeeming such publick debts and incumbrances...and for calling in Exchequer Bills remaining uncancelled...'.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
1 volume.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open.
Conditions governing reproduction
[Crown copyright].
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
The British Library of Political and Economic Science holds another collection relating to the South Sea Company (Ref: SR 0083).
Finding aids
No further list required.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
The British Library, London, holds records of the South Sea Company, 1711-1856 (Ref: Add Mss 25494-584); the House of Lords Record Office has minutes, accounts, receipts and subscription books, 1711-1733; the Guildhall Library, London, contains correspondence and receipts, 1711-1765; the University of London Library holds warrants, deeds and accounts, 1712-1724 (Ref: Mss 89, 394); London Metropolitan Archives has a register of clerks, 1720-1853.
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English