Another clerical copy of MINT00082 (Mint 19/1/94)

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The place of assay Master of his Majestys Mint becomeing vacant in Ianry 1712 Catesby Oadham (who was bred a Refiner and had gain'd good experience in Assaying) being a candidate for the same, did by the direction of Mr Taylor of the Treasury aply to Sir Isaac Newton to be try'd against any other candidate to whom Sir Isaac answer'd we have reported Mr Bratle to be the fittest person without makeing any tryal tho Oadham is inform'd that about that time Sir Isaac did confess to Mr Kemp who was then a competitor for the place that Mr Bratle cou'd not doe the business of an Assay Master without an Assistant

On the 8°. of April 1713 Mr Oadham was try'd against Mr Bratle before the officers of the mint who had before declared Bratle to be the fittest person, and afterwards made the same report tho they did allow Mr. Oadham to be a good Assay Master but Oadham setting forth the hardships and impositions of that tryal was by the direction of the late Lord treasurer Oxford tryd in the whole mistery of assaying under the inspection of the Earl of Yarmouth who amply certifyd his Quallifycations as apears by his anexed certificate to a petition which Mr Oadham presented to his Majesty who was graciously pleas'd to Order the Lords of the Treasury to Enquire into the Merits of the pretenders, and to doe Iustice accordingly by Mr Bratle, or Sir Isaac Newton hearing of this Vtterance and being unwilling to stand the tryal obtain'd a Warrant for Mr Bratles having the patent before the petition, certificates, and utterence could be read in the treasury

Mr Oadham hereupon Aplys to the Privy councol from whence his petition went, and is promisd that the Lord president will call for the said petition the first general council day when the Lord Hallifax will be present and that matter determind in council he therefore insists that no grant for such patent passes the privy seal til this Examination is over it being of the greatest concern to the credit of the Nation that this Employment be in the hands of a thorough quallifyd person and altho the Employment is in the fit of the Lords of the treasury he is perswaded their Lordships will desire the tryal especially since Sir Isaac Newton who recommends Bratle is excluded from such a recommendation by an Act of Parliament 2°. H. 6

besides Mr Oadham can bring unquestionable witnesses to prove Mr. Bratle's incapacity, and unfairness in Assaying