Holograph draft of MINT00179 (Mint 19/1/275)

<276r>

May it please your Lordship

Finding reason to suspect that the present indented trial piece of Gold are too fine I have nicely examined that in my keep & find by many assays that tity are finer then the former trial pieces made in the year 1688 by about a quarter of a grain tho that the last trial piece be also something too fine assay. Which differences being of great consequence, I have further endeavoured to find out the reason thereof that the like accidents in making new trial pieces hereafter may be avoided. And by the assay I am satisfied that there are various degrees of fine gold, some being 24 carats fine by the assay, some a quarter of a grain coarser or finer or above, & that gold may be refined so high as to be almost half a grain finer then 24 carats by the assay. And accordingly as the fine gold of which the standard pieces are made is finer or coarser the standard pieces will be finer or coarser in proportion.

All which &c

By which means the standard of gold is rendred very uncertain notwithstanding the fidelity of Iuries. And what I have said of gold may be applied to silver.

I humbly offer therefore to your Lordships consideration whether there should not be one common standard of gold & one of silver for the money place & merchantable Ingots in all great Britain, setled by the asaay; & whether the standard once setled should not be preserved in the Exchequer for a rule to Iuries in making trial pieces for the future without varying.