Report on a proposal by one White for gluing duty marks onto paper rather than impressing it [to certify that the recently-imposed tax on paper for parchments and deeds had been paid]

<447r>

To the Rt Honble the Lord High Treasurer of England

May it please yor Lordship

According to yor Lordps Order, Mr White has been with me several times to make out his Proposal for preventing the counterfeiting of stampt Paper, but without convincing me of its fitness to be used

For whereas he proposes to past or glue a Mill-mark upon the Paper, this Mark thus becomes a faint one, not well to be seen unless by holding the paper between the eye & the light; and it is also unornamental, appearing on the paper like a patch. And for these reasons it will not please the people.

It may be counterfeited in several ways, & by the Paper-makers it may be counterfeited more exactly then the stamps can be by Gravers

And it doth not appear to me that the dammage susteined by counterfeiting the stamps, equals the charge wch the Government would be at in making & glueing on the Mill-mark.

However finding that Mr White is not satisfied in this Report I am willing if yor Lop thinks fit that the matter should be reexamined by whom yor Lop pleases.

All which is most humbly submitted to yor Lordps great wisdome

Is. Newton.

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