Reply to <ref target="/catalogue/record/MINT00874">MINT00874</ref> (Mint 19/1/462-3) Isaac Newton c. 189 words The Newton Project Oxford 2016 Newton Project, University of Oxford

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 1 March 1720/1, c. 189 words. Treasury

Printed in NC, 7: 133. Another draft in Cambridge University Library, Additional Ms. 3965(10), f. 144v.

All the people arrested on Dearsley's information successfully pleaded trade use of their presses and had them restored by order of the Attorney General, with one exception, and he escaped. There is no precedent for rewarding informers when no conviction has been secured, and to set such a precedent would be dangerous.

 Petition for a reward for informing against owners of illegal presses [MINT 19/1/462-3] MINT 19/1/464, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK UKSurreyKew, RichmondNational Archives MINT 19/1/464 1 March 1720/1 England English Holograph Unknown Hand Unknown Hand (1) MintClippers, Coiners and Embezzlers 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

To the RtRight HonbleHonourable the Lords CommrsCommissioners of his MatsMajestys TreãryTreasury.

May it please yoryour LordpsLordships

In obedience to yoRyour LordpsLordships order of Reference of 7th Ianry upon the Petition of Tho Dearsly for a Reward for discovering several Presses sufficient for coining of money: I humbly represent that all the persons taken up on this Information, pleaded that they used those presses in their lawfull trades, & that in the opinion of the Attorney General this plea was a sufficient excuse, & the Presses could not be destroyed without a suspicion of coining. And thereupon the men have been set at liberty without a tryall, & their Presses delivered back to them except one or two which belonged to a person who was suspected of coining & fled. And the men by their not being prosecuted are encouraged to go on. The Law appoints Rewards for prosecuting Coiners to conviction: but I know of no Precedent for rewarding the Petitioner, & feare the consequence of making new Precendents

All wchwhich is most humbly submitted to yoryour LordpsLordships great wisdome

Isaac Newton

Mint Office Mar. 1st 17201

464 198