Applications for the post of engraver Isaac Newton c. 1,192 words The Newton Project Oxford 2017 Newton Project, University of Oxford

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 August 1704, c. 1,192 words.

Briefly summarised in NC, 7: 435 (no. X.673.3).

(a) (Mint 19/1/140) 8 August 1704. Treasury to Mint. Clerical hand. Letter of referral covering the applications of Parsons and Croker [(d) and (e) below] and that of [William] Rose [Ross, Roos, which seems to have been lost].

(b) (Mint 19/1/141) 7 August 1704. Another hand. Application of William Fowler.

(c) (Mint 19/1/142) 10 August 1704. Treasury to Mint. Clerical hand. Further letter of referral specifically covering Fowler's application.

(d) (Mint 19/1/143-4) Undated.Clerical hand. Application of William Parsons.

(e) (Mint 19/1/145) Undated. Clerical hand. Application of John Croker.

 MINT 19/1/140-45, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK UKSurreyKew, RichmondNational Archives MINT 19/1/140-45 August 1704 England English Unknown Hand (1) Unknown Hand (2) Unknown Hand (3) Unknown Hand (4) MintPersonnel and Administration Catalogue information compiled by Rob Iliffe, Peter Spargo & John Young Catalogue exported to teiHeader by Michael Hawkins Transcribed by Will Scott
140

Gentlemen

My Lord Treasurer Commands Me to transmit to You the severall inclosed PeticonsPetitions of Collo. William Parsons and Mr. IJohn Croker relating to the place of Engraver of the Mint void by the Death of Henry Harris Esqr. His Lordship directs You to examine into the respective QualificaconsQualifications of the PeticonersPetitioners for that Imployment and likewise of One Mr. Rose of whose Abilitys My Lord has received a Very good Character and that You will then Report Your Opinion to his LordpLordship what You think fitt to be done thereupon

I am

TrearyTreasury Chambers 8. August 1704

Gentlemen

Your most humble servt.servant

Wm Lowndes.

Officers of the Mint

14178

My Lord

I beleivebelieve it is not unknown to yryour Lordship, that as my Genius leads me to the study of Medals, so I have omitted no opportunity to either in this or the late Reign, to commit the memory of all considerable Postages to Posterity, by such Designs by way of Medal as I have been Able to contrive; And which have been honour'd wWith the acceptance of most of the Nobility, as well as the late, and her Present Majesty. The principal motive to which, next to that I thought it my Duty, has been the hope I have had that when any oppertunity should offer me a prospect of some Post, wherein by my Talent this Way I might reasonably suppose my self a fully qualified as any other I might also find the favour of being recommended by some Noble Person whose interest should be Equal & that your Lordship has. I humbly presume therefore My Lord, that this Iuncture presents me with the fairest Opportunity possible to address my self to your Lordship, as that Person, to recommend me (if your Lordship on due consideration shall think fitt he do me that honour) to the Place vacant by the Death of Captain Harris. But if your Lordship is not at present so well convinc'd as I would wish of what I Offer, I humbly Intreat your Lordship however to suspend any Grant, till I may have Time to bring myself so well recommended to your Lordship, that it may be thought now is more fittly qualified, or inclin'd to the business that Post requires, than

your Lordships

Most Humble, and

most Obedient Servant

Aug: yethe 7th 1704

IJohn Fowler

Whitehall Treasury Chambers

10th. August 1704

My Lord Treasurer is pleased to referr this Memoriall to the Warden Master & Worker and Comptroller of her Mats.Majestys Mint who are to consider the same and Report their Opinions to his LordpLordship as to the PeticonersPetitioners QualificaconsQualifications for the place desired

Wm Lowndes

IJohn Fowler refrefer to the Officers of the Mint

143

The Case of Collo. Wm. Parsons &c.

That being a young Brother, & Desirous to Raise his Fortune by a Military Employ, He bought a Cornetts Com̄mmission in Ireland in 1680, wchwhich through a Violent & Chargeable Illnesse of yethe Countrey-Distemper, he was Obliged (although wthwith great Losse) to Part with soon after; That in 1682 He bought a Colours in yethe first RegmtRegment of Guards, Com̄mmanded by his Grace yethe Duke of Grafton, & a Lieutenancy likewise in yethe same Year; And in 1684, having Married a Fortune of 1700ll, He bought a Company. Which upon yethe late Happy Revolution (being at Portsmouth on Duty, & Mis-represented to his Majtie.Majestie in his Absence) was taken from him, And he thereby left wholy Destitute of any Income or Provision to Support Himself & Family; deeply Involved in Debts on yethe Companies Acct.Account & forced to apply himself to a Trade (though otherwise Educated) for a present subsistance.

That his Case being made known to his Majtie.Majestie by yethe Duke of Grafton, He was sometime after made a Land Surveyr.or of yethe Custome-House; butt his Lamenesse encreasing through yethe constant Attendance on yethe Keys, & finding himself unable to perform yethe Duty required, He Exchanged yethe same (in Respect only to their Majties:Majesties Service) for a Kings Wayters-Place to be acted by Deputy, although a Place of scarce one third yethe Yearly Value.

That although wthwith this small Income & yethe Blessing of Gold on his Industry & Ingenuity, he has hitherto (wthwith great Difficulties_ maintained himself, and Paid 300ll & upwards (having been often Arrested for yethe Same) on yethe Companies AcctAccount; Yet since no Prospect can be had in such an Employ, either of Raising a Provision for a Wife (whose Fortune was wholy Expended on yethe Com̄mmand) or for Children, who in Case of his Death must be Reduced to yethe last Extremities;

144

And since his 16 Years Experience (not without some Success too in the very Improvement) of the Mechanicks, and more Particularly in that part Relating to the Engraving of Seals Medalls &cta may have fitly Qualified him to succeed the late Capt:Captain Harris in the Employment of Engraver to her Majty:Majesty It is most Humbly Hoped he may have your LdpsLordships Favour in the same

Wherein if he should be thought Worthy, as he is very Desirous of being again Employed in the service of the Crown, He will not only very Faithfully Performe the Trust Reposed in him, but will also Contribute as much as in him lies towards the father Improvement of the Coinage of England.

145.

To the Rt:Right Honoble:Honourable Sidney Lord Godolphin Lord High Treasurer of England

The humble PeticonPetition of IJohn Croker, Engraver

Sheweth

That Your Petr:Petitioner by Order of the Lords Commrs:Commissioners of the Treasury, succeeded Mr IJames Rotier in Engraving the Puncheons and Dyes for the Coinage at the Tower & five Country Mints, and hath performed the service of Graver to the Mint or Mints, under Mr. Harris for seaven Yeares last past, and hopes he hath given good satisfaction therein.

That by a Contract between the said Mr: Harris & your Petr;Petitioner approved of by the then Lords Commrs:Commissioners of the Treasury, your Petr's:Petitioner's salary was paid by the said Mr. Harris, & is now ceased by his death, and you Petr's:Petitioner's place become void; And your Petr:Petitioner is informed, That by a Clause in the new Indenture of the Mint, the Graver's salary is also determined in order to a new Settlement of the Place

And for as much as Your Petr:Petitioner hath truly and honestly, to the satisfaction of the Officers of the Mint, performed the said Office under Mr. Harris for so many yeares last past

Your Petr:Petitioner most humbly prays Your Lordship, That Your Lordp:Lordship will please of your great favour, to move her MajtyMajesty, That YorYour Petr:Petitioner may still continue Graver of her Maty's:Majesty's Mint, under such an Establishment as her Matie:Majestie in her great Wisdome shall think fitt

And Your Petr:Petitioner (as in duty bound) shall ever pray &ca.

The PeticonPetition of IJohn Croker, Engraver

My Lord TrearTreasurer Ref:Refers this & yethe PeticonPetition of Collo. Parsons to the Officers of the Mint but at the same time directs them to enquire concerning the QualificaconsQualifications & abilitys of one Mr Rose for this ImploymtImployment & to Report upon the whole as soon as conveniently they can.