Copy of an indenture of Newton as Master and Worker of the Mint under Queen Anne
Anne by the Grace of God of England Scotland, france & Ireland Queen defender of the Faith &c. To All to whom these presents shall come greeting. Know ye that wee for divers good causes and considerations us thereunto moving of our special grace, certain Knowledge and meer motion have given and Granted, and by these presents do give and grant unto our Trusty & well beloved subject Isaac Newton Esqr. the Office of Master and Worker of all our Moneys both Gold and Silver within our Mint in our Tower of London and elsewhere in our Kingdom of England, together with the fee or yearly pension of five hundred pounds to be quarterly paid to him from the 25th. day of March now last past by even and equal portions out of such money as by any Act or Acts of Parliament already made for encouraging of coinage are allowed to be issued yearly out of our Exchequer for the fees and sallaries of the Officers of the Mint or Mints, and towards the providing maintaining and repairing the houses, offices, and buildings and other uses in the said Act or Acts or any of them mentioned for so long time as the same shall be and continue in force, and after the said Act or Acts of Parliament shall cease and be voyd, then the said fee or yearly pension to be paid out of such other Moneys, and in such other Manner as shall by any Act or Acts of Parliament hereafter to be made be appointed or allowed to be issued out for the fees or sallaries of the Officers of the Mint or Mints and in default of any such Allowance or appointement to be hereafter made by Parliament, and during such time or times as there shall hereafter happen to be no allowance or appointement made by Authority of Parliament, the said fee or yearly pension of five hundred pounds sterling shall be paid unto the said Isaac Newton out of our Seigniorage or allowance for coynage of Gold & Silver Moneys, or other our proffits of the Mint. And Know yee also that wee for the considerations aforesaid have given and granted and by these presents do give and grant unto the said Isaac Newton all edifices, buildings, gardens, and other fees allowances, proffitts, priviledges franchises and Immunities belonging to the aforesaid Office, To Have and to hold the said Office of Master and Worker unto the said Isaac Newton (to be exercised by himself or his sufficient deputy or deputies for whom he will answer) and also the said fee or yearly pension of five hundred pounds sterling together with the said houses, Edifices, buildings, gardens, and other fees, allowances, proffits, advantages, priviledges franchises liberties and immunities for and during Our pleasure in as full and ample manner to all Intents and purposes as the said Isaac Newton or Thomas Neale Esqr. deceased or any others heretofore holding the said office have had held and enjoyed, or ought to have had held and enjoyed the same. Provided always and under this condition and our will and pleasure is that the said Isaac Newton after he is in possession of the said Office by virtue of these presents shall within two Months next after signification of our pleasure in that behalf by the high Treasurer or Commissioners of the Treasury for the time being make and execute on his part such Indenture and agreement for and concerning the making of the several sorts of money of Gold and Silver, and for payment of the several Officers of the Mint, and other matters and things relating thereunto and to the execution of the said Office, as were formerly made, with alterations and additions if any shall be thought fitt and directed by us for the better management and carrying on of that service. Lastly we have revoked and determined and by these presents do revoke and determine certain Letter Pattents under the great seale of England bearing date the third day of febr. in the Eleventh year of the Reign of our Late Dear Brother King William the third, whereby the said Office was granted to the said Isaac Newton, and every clause, article, and thing therein contained. In Wittnesse whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patents, Witnesse ourselfe at Westminster the Eleaventh day of Iune in the first year of our Reign
Per Breve de Privatto sigillo
Wright.
Isaac Newton Esqr. To be Master and Worker of the Mint. 11th. Iune 1702.
Source
MINT 1/5/31r, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK11 Jun 1702, c. 764 words.