Report on country mints' accounts

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To the right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of his Majesties Treasury – the Humble representation of the Officers in the Mint in the Tower

Sheweth

That at the setting-up of the 5 Country Mints Wee appointed such officers & Clerks as were thought necessary for the carrying-on the Coynage of those places.

That in pursuance of Your Lordshipps verball Order, We have payd those severall persons such summs of mony as were necessary for erecting the severall buildings, paying salaries, & other Incidents of the severall Mints out of the mony Imprested to the Master & Worker for the use & service of the Mint.

That being now upon making-up our Accounts Wee find likewise that in Decembr. 1696°. Your Lordshipps were pleasd to imprest to the Master & Worker 2000£s. in tallies of pro. with Your Lordshipps verball order to dispose of the same the best Wee could, upon which Wee were then forced to allow 45£s. per Centum discount, & lost thereby 900£s.

Wee further presume to lay before Your Lordshipps that the business of the Mint upon the extraordinary Coynage having been very great; Wee have not bee able to make an Yearly Account as the Custom was, but are now ready to state the whole together, to this present time, & to pass it in Audit.

Wee therefore humbly beseech Your Lordshipps that You would be pleasd to issue out such Warrant to your Auditor of his Majesties Imprest as Your Lordshipps shall think fitt, that Wee may be allowed in our several Accounts the severall summs of mony Imprested for the Country Mints, the 900£s lost on the 2000£s tallies of pro. the severall summs payd for the buildings & repairs of this Mint, & that Wee may be admitted to pass the severall yearly Accounts in one, by reason they are so entangled one year with another, that it is not possible to distinguish them

All which Wee humbly submitt to your Lordshipps

great wisdom

Tower Mint Office
    Decembr. 1698.