Response to <ref target="/catalogue/record/MINT00017">MINT00017</ref> (Mint 19/1/198-9). Unknown c. 538 words The Newton Project Oxford 2017 Newton Project, University of Oxford

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 10 December 1696, c. 538 words. Treasury

Signed by Newton and [master] Thomas Neale, dated by Neale.

Another copy in PRO, T1/41, no. 48 (printed in NC, 4: 216-17).

Suggest that Ambrose's prices are far too high, and that the old practice should be resumed of letting the master employ melters on his own terms, which will be much more favourable. What Ambrose should be paid for the plate he has already melted they leave to the Treasury's discretion. Further request clarification of the legislation concerning moneyers' fees. At the start of the recoinage, a discretionary extra penny per pound weight of coin was promised to the moneyers contingent on Mint approval of the quality of their work: this is now being claimed by them as of right.

 MINT 19/1/194, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK UKSurreyKew, RichmondNational Archives MINT 19/1/194 10 December 1696 England English Clerical Hand MintPersonnel and Administration Catalogue information compiled by Rob Iliffe, Peter Spargo & John Young Catalogue exported to teiHeader by Michael Hawkins Transcribed by Will Scott
194113

To the Rt.Right HonbleHonourable the Lord Comrs.Commissioners of his MajtiesMajesties TrearyTreasury

Wee the Warden and Master Worker of his Majts.Majestys Mint. Having Received from your Lordspps.Lordshipps a Refference dated the 4th. day of August last, upon the Memoriall of Mr. Ionathan Ambrose, hereunto annex't. wherein he Proposes to have Three half pence ꝑper pound for the first Melting down of the Plate; Wee take this Opportunity humbly to lay before your Lordspps.Lordshipps that the Master and Worker of the Mint, did always Melt downe all silver and Gold brought thither to be Coyned, and did therein Employ such person or persons as he thought fitt for the doing thereof; being bound by the Indenture of the Mint to perform that service, and is answerable for all Loss and Miscarriage that may happen in the doing thereof. And therefore humbly

Prays that he may Employ the persons that do it as formerly, and is willing to Undertake the sevll.severall Meltings of the Clipt money at 3 farthings the pound, and on such other CondiconsConditions as are at present allowed for the same, and to Undertake the first Melting down of the plate, at one penny ꝑper pound, and the Refineing (since the Quantity is like to be Great) for what's done in London at 11 pence ꝑper pound, but for what's done and to be done in the Countrey, he humbly dos crave the present allowance of 12 pence ꝑper pound, He having all along paid the same Price, and for paying the said Ionathan Ambrose for the Plate he already has Melted, and the Refineing thereof wee humbly leave it to your Lordspps.Lordshipps how, and what rate to direct. And we further presume to Represent to your Lordspps.Lordshipps an Inconvenience, we Conceive has arisen by wording the Warrant under his Majts.Majestys signe Manuall for the distribucondistribution of the 14 pence ꝑper pound allowed by an Act of last sessions for makeing the money, whereby it is directed that 9 pence ꝑper pound (part of the 14d.) should be paid to the Corporation of Moneyers, Whereas by the Indenture of the Mint 8d. ꝑper pound and no more is directed to be paid them for their service and the additionall penny, was only to be paid and allowed them as a Bounty from his Majtie.Majestie, so long as the Warden, Master, and Controller, or any two of them, whereof the Warden to be one, should perceive the moneys well seized, Blanched, and Coyned, and a due proporction of small money made, and the sd.said services not having by them been well and duely performed, as an Inducement for the future, and to make them well seized, Blanch, and Coyne, the silver money, and in all things for the future, to act as they ought, We Conceive it Convenient that in the next Warrant to be signed by his Majtie.Majestie for Coyning either the Clipt money or Plate in pursuance of of any Act of this Sessions, that the giving the Penny to the Monyers may be only CondiconallConditionall, as tis by the Indenture, and that if they doe not Deserve it, the same money to be saved to the Crown.

Is. Newton

Tho Neale

December yethe 10th 1696