Response to a petition from copper suppliers Hines and Appleby [see <ref target="/catalogue/record/MINT00643">MINT00643</ref> (Mint 19/2/319)] referred to Newton by the Treasury Isaac Newton c. 785 words The Newton Project Oxford 2017 Newton Project, University of Oxford

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 21 April 1719, c. 785 words. Treasury

Printed in NC, 7: 35-6.

Details of Hines' and Appleby's expenses (including the lease of a water mill, taken out on Newton's advice), the deficiencies of the copper offered by other suppliers, the quantity of copper coined to date and the quantity remaining on Hines' and Appleby's hands since the cessation of the coinage [around the beginning of 1719]. Newton, in fairness to the suppliers and in view of the continued public demand for copper money, recommends a resumption of coining, and also that any further proposals for coining be considered only if they can be shown to be an improvement on what Hines and Appleby can do.

 Treasury referral of the memorial of John Applebee and Henry Hines [T 1/220.44] MINT 19/2/448, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK UKSurreyKew, RichmondNational Archives MINT 19/2/448 21 April 1719 England English Holograph MintCopper Coinage MintCorrespondence Catalogue information compiled by Rob Iliffe, Peter Spargo & John Young Catalogue exported to teiHeader by Michael Hawkins Transcribed by Will Scott Will Scott finished transcription Minor amendments made by Will Scott
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To the RtRight Honble the Lords CommrsCommissioners of his MatiesMajesties Treasury.

May it please yoryour LordpsLordships

In obedience to yoryour LordpsLordships Order of Reference of 15 Apr. 1719, upon the Memorial of Mr Applebly & Mr Hines, I have considered the same, & humbly represent that fine copper will not run close into Barrs like Gold Silver & coarse copper, but requires to be either battered or rolled thin by a Mill; & the cheapest way is to roll it. But a horse Mill being too weak & too chargeable for this purpose I advised the said Importers to procure a water Mill. And to encourage them to do it I promised to give them no disturbance my self so long as they kept to their covenants in the copper which they brought to me. But at the same time I told them that I could engage nothing for my superiors. Hereupon they took a water Mill neare Maidenhead bridge three or four miles above Windsor at the rent of 52li per anannum for two years and an half frofrom midsummer last, besides a fine of 20 Guineas & 65li paid for Tools left there by Mr Ayres, as I understand by the writings. They took also another little place neare it for a Warehouse & lodging room & for building a Refining furnace, at 12li prper anannum; & the furnace cost them almost 40li as they inform me,: besides the charge of Beds & furniture for servants & of new Rolls & iron moulds & boxes for the copper & other utensils amounting to 70li, & besides an hundred load of wood & four load of Charcoal upon their hands for this service. And during the intermission of the coinage they pay 39s per week retaining wages to a Clerk & Refiner & two other servants.

When a stop was put to the coinage, I informed your LordpsLordships that 25 Tons of copper money were then coined & delivered, besides what was ready to be delivered of wchwhich I did not then know the quantity: but it was just delivered and amounted unto 26Ccwt weight. And as much copper was that day brought into the Mint as made 26Ccwt more: so that there have been coined 27 Tuonns & 12Ccwt weight. There was also at that time 25Ccwt in Barrs brought down the river ready to be delivered, & 45Ccwt inat the Mill in pickle & 35Ccwt rolled but not cleaned, & 412Ccwt rolled hot but not cold; & in Scissel Brockage & Cakes 12812Ccwt; besides thirty Tons contracted for under hand & seale, as appears to me by the writing.

By the Bills of parcells several of wchwhich I have seen, the copper hitherto imported cost about 1312d per Lwtpoundweight & some almost 14d. The Blanks being hardned round the edges by the cutter & not nealed after cutting are apt to crack on the edges in stamping if the copper be not sufficiently fine, & this cracking has been promoted by two parcells of copper bought of Mr Briggs: but these cracks are very small & may be prevented by making the copper a very little finer. The Rolls at first were rough & made the copper rough, wchwhich occasioned much complaint in the Mint till within a few days before the coinage was stopt: but the Rolls are now smooth, & the last parcell or two of copper imported was smooth & well cleaned. Considering therefore, the charges that the Importers are & have been at; the quantity of copper upon their hands, some of which is prepared; & the demand of copper money by the people: it seems to me that the 25Ccwt of copper barrs brought down the river to be imported when the coinage was stopt, & the 45Ccwt then in pickle & now pickled; be forthwith imported, provided the copper beare the assays prescribed; & that the 35Ccwt rolled but not yet cleaned be cleaned & imported if yoryour LordpsLordships think fit: the Moneyers being commanded by yoryour LordpsLordships, if you please to pick out all the brockage & blanks from the money. And then the rest of the copper may be prepared & imported, provided the barrs be smototh & cleane & well sized & beare the assays, & the Blanks beare the Press without cracking And And in the mean time if any other Proposalls be made to your LordpsLordships for coyning the money better or of better copper by the assay, the same may be compared wthwith what Mr Appleby & Mr Hines will undertake. All wchwhich is most humbly submitted to yoryour LordpsLordships great wisdome Isaac Newton Mint Office. Apr. 21. 1719.