Two holograph drafts of queries arising out of the lack of provision for payment for plate received after 14 May 1711, with a summary of the relevant legislation

<520r>

Qu. 1. Was not her Majestys Warrant in force till the passing of the two million Act Iune 12.

Qu 2. Was the said Warrant voided by the passing of the two million Act.

Qu. 3. May my Lord High Treasurer lawfully direct the Receipts of Plate to be taken in the Exchequer for so much money as the Plate produces by coinage where his Lordship lends money out of the civil list to make up the deficiency till the Parliament repays it or leaves the deficiency to be made up by Parliament.

Qu. 4. If that be not done, then what authority is requisite to impower the Master of the Mint to pay the produce of the Plate to the Importers notwithstanding her Majestys Warrant to pay it into the Exchequer & take Tallies for his discharge.

Her Majesty upon the votes & address of the house of Commons by Warrant under her signe manual hath directed the Warden Master & Comptroller of her Mint to receive Plate into the said Mint & give Receipts for the same after the rates of 5s 5d per ounce for plate of the old standard 5s 8d per ounce for plate of the new standard & 5s 6d per ounce for uncertain plate reduced to standard & hath also directed the said Master of the Mint to coin the same & pay the moneys produced into the Exchequer & take tallies for his discharge, + < insertion from higher up f 520r > + but the Lord Commissioners of the Treasury made an Order May 14th that no more plate should be received upon the payment into the two million lottery < text from f 520r resumes > but the hath not yet enacted that the Receipts given for Plate after the 14th day of May shall be taken in the Exchequer according to their votes of May 1 & May 5, & May 17 & the moneys coined out the Plate for which those bills were given are not due into the Exchequer untill those Receipts can be so taken there, & the Importers will lose the use of their money so long as it shall remain in my hands after it is coined.

Quære 1. Was not her Majestys said Warrant in force till the passing of the two million Act Iune 12.

Quære 2. Was the said Warrant voided by the passing of the two million Act.

Qu. 3. May my Lord Treasurer lawfully direct that the said Receipts of Plate be taken in the Exchequer upon the 2d 3d & 4th payments unto the 2000000 for so much money as the Plate produces, the Master of the Mint giving into the Exchequer a list of the summs to be allowed upon every Receipt & paying the money into the exchequer upon so many Receipts as shall from time to time be delivered in, & taking Tallies for the same according to her Majestys Warrant

Qu. 4. If this be not done, what authority is requisite to impower the Master of the Mint to pay the produce of the Plate to the Importers, notwithstanding her Majestys Warrant for paying it into the Exchequer & taking Tallies for his discharge.