Draft of MINT00641 (Mint 19/2/443)

<436r>

Mint Office. Aug. 3. 1717.

To the Rt Honble the Lords Commrs of his Mats Treary

May it please yor Lops

In obedience to yor Lordps Order of Reference ofon the Proposals for importing barrs of fine copper into his Mats Mint for coyning copper money out of them; We humbly represent that upon giving the Proposers a meeting, We find that the Mint may be supplied with such barrs ofat nineteen pence per pound weight Averdupois or a little under, taking back the scissel at the same price but scarce under 18d. The Master & Worker is willing to undertake the coinag{illeg}e out of such barrs at three pence farthing per lw pound weight, & to defray all incident charges of assaying weighing of coinage & putting off after a Mint is set up except repairs of buildings. And so a Mint pound weight of Copper with the coinage will cost about 21$\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{4}}$ or 22$\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{4}}$ & may be cut into 23 or 24 pence to answer all other charges. If there be a King's Clerk he may be allowed & the Auditor of this Mint may be paid what your Lordps shall order out of the profits of the coinage. what your Lordps shall please to think fit. appoint. The Mr & Wr proposes to pay half the price of the Copper upon the Importation thereof.

When by publick notice we gave the Proposers a meeting some of them upon hearing the conditions of the Copperhow the copper was to be sized & assayed, withdrew. Mr Parker was {illeg} Mr Neale & partner were in the country & are not yet returned to town. Mr Essington demanded 19d pr Lwt for the best copper & 18d for a coarser sort. Mr Iones demanded 18$\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{2}}$d per for the best copper. Mr Hind demanded 18d. The copper he shewed us was very good & bore the Assay & this morning he has delivered in some barrs to be further examined. We are best satisfied with his proposal, but have not yet had time to examin his barrs. Mr Parker demands the same price, but we have not seen his workmanship.

All which &c

If at any time it be thought fit to change the Reverse of the money, it may be done by a signe manual, changing paying the Graver for a new Puncheon.

All which &c is humbly submitted to yor Lordps

great wisdome

Mint Office
Aug. 3. 1713