Original royal indenture confirming Newton's mastership and setting out his duties
1 This Indenture made the 14th day of January in the first year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Anne by the grace of God Queen of England Scotland France + Ireland Defender of the Faith &c And in the year of our Lord 1702 Between our said sovereign Lady the Queens most Excellent Majestie of the one part and Isaac Newton Esquire of the other part Wittnesseth That whereas our said Sovereign Lady the Queen by her Letters patents under the Great seale of England bearing date the eleventh day of Iune 1702 for the considerations therein mentioned Did give + grant unto the said Isaac Newton the Office of Master and Worker of all her Majesties Monies both of Gold and silver within her Majesties Mint in the Tower of London[2] and elsewhere in her said Majesties kingdome of England together with the yearly Fee or pention of 500£ to be paid quarterly to him at or upon the 25th day of March, the 24th day of Iune, the 29th day of September + the 25th day of December by even + equal portions with all Edifices Buildings Gardens + other Fees allowances proffitts priviledges Franchizes + Immunities belonging to the saide Office
2 To have & to hold the said Office of Master + Worker unto the said Isaac Newton to be exercised by himself or his sufficient Deputy or Deputies for whom he will answer, + also the said yearly Fee or pention of 500li with the said Houses Edifices Buildings Gardens + other Fees allowances proffitts advantages priviledges Franchizes liberties + Immunities for + during her said Majesties pleasure in no full + ample manner as Sir Ralph Freeman Knight Henry Slingsby Esqre. or Thomas Neale Esqre. or another others heretofore have had held or enjoyed the same
3 And whereas it is provided by her said Majesties Letters Patents that the said Isaac Newton after he shall be in possession of the said Office shall within two months after the signfication of her said Majesties pleasure by the High Treasurer <382v> Of England or Commissioners of the Treasury for the time being make + execute of his part such + the like Indenture + Agreements for + concerning the making of the severall sorts of money of gold + silver + for payment of the severall Officers of the Mint and for other matters + things relating thereto and to the execution of the said Office as were formerly made with alterations and additions if any should be thought fitt and directed by her Majestie for the better managemment + carrying on of that service [5] 4. Now this Indenture wittnesseth that for and in consideration of the Covenants + agreements herein after contained, on the part of the said Isaac Newton Our said Sovereign Lady the Queen of her especial grace certain knowledge + meer motion hath given granted + confirmed + by these presents doth give grant ratifie + confirm unto the said Isaac Newton the said Office of Master + Worker of all her Majesties monies both of gold + silver within her Majesties Mint in the Tower of London + elsewhere in her said Majesties kingdome of England, together with the aforesaid Fee or yearly pention of 500£. sterling to be paid by quarterly payments (That is to say) at or upon the 25th day of March, the 24th day of Iune, the 29th day of September + the 25th day of December yearly by even + equall portions out of such moneys as in + by an Act of Parliament made in the 18th year of the reign of his late Majestie King Charles the second + continued by one other Act made the 25th year of his said Majesties reign both which were revived + continued by an Act made in the first year of his late Majestie King James the seconds reign, and again by another Act made in the fourth year of his late Majestie King William + the late Queen Mary and after by an Act made in the twelfth year of the reign of the said late King William are allowed to be issued yearly out of her said Majesties Exchequer for the Fees or salaries of the Officers of the Mint or Mints + towards the providing maintaining and repairing of the Houses Offices + Buildings and other necessaries for assaying melting down + coining during so long time as the saide Acts of Parliament shall be and continue in force
<383r>5 And after the said Acts of Parliament shall cease + be void then the said Fee or yearly pention to be paid out of such other moneys + 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 salaries of the Officers of the Mint or Mints, + in default of any such allowance or appointment to be hereafter made by Parliament + during such time + times as there shall here after happen to be no such allowance or appointment made by Authority of Parliament, the said Fee or yearly pention of 500£ sterling to be paid unto the said Isaac Newton out of her Majesties Seigniorage or allowance for coinage of gold or silver moneys or other her Majesties proffitts of the Mint or such other part of her Majesties revenue as her Majesties shall direct
6. And our sovereign Lady the Queen for the considerations aforesaid hath also given granted + confirmed + by these presents doth give grants + cofirm unto the said Isaac Newton all Edifices buildings gardens + other proffitts priviledges Franchizes and Immunities belonging to the aforesaid Office
[8] Office Deputy
7. To have hold + enjoy the said Office of Master + Worker unto the said Isaac Newton + to exercise the same by his sufficient Deputy or Deputies for whom he will answer And also to hold + enjoy the said fee or yearly pention or summe of 500£ sterling together with the said houses Edifices buildings gardens proffitts advantages priviledges Franchises Liberties + Immunities for + during her said Majesties pleasure in no full + ample manner to all intents and purposes as the said Sir Ralph Freeman Henry Slingsby + Thomas Neale deceased or any of them or any other person or persons did, or at any time heretofore might or ought to hold + enjoy the same
8. And whereas by the aforesaid Acts of Parliament it is amongst other things provided that no moneys leviable or payable by the same shall be applied or converted to any use or uses whatsoever other than to the defraying the charge or expence of the Mint or Mints + of the assaying melting downe waste + Coinage of gold + silver + the encouragement
<383v>Of the bringing in of Gold + silver into the said Mint or Mints there to be coined into the current Coins of this kingdome Nor should any of the said moneys be issued out of the Exchequer but by order or warrant of the Lord Treasurer + Vnder Treasurer or Commissioners of the Treasury for the time being to the Master + Worker or Masters + Workers of her Majesties Mint or Mints for the time being + mentioning that they are for the use and service aforesaid to be kept in her Majesties Office of Receipt in the said Mint or Mints under the usuall keys of the Warden Master + Worker + Comptroller for the time being + issued out thence from time to time according to the manner + course of the said Mint or Mints respectively as by the same Arts more plainly appeareth
9. And in regard the payments and Disbursements of the said Mint or Mints formerly paid out of the Seigniorage or allowance for Coinage are by the aforesaid Acts of Parliament appointed to be paid out of the moneys arising by the same Acts of Parliament Wherefore our said Sovereign Lady the Queen doth by these presents ordain + appoint that the said Master Worker shall receive out of her Majesties Exchequer from time to time all such moneys as are appointed to be paid unto him by the said Acts of Parliament for defraying the charges or expences of the Mint or Mints + of the assaying melting downe waste + coinage of gold + silver + the encouragement of bringing in of gold + silver into the said Mint or Mints there to be coined into the currant Coines of this kingdome
10. And that the said Master + Worker shall upon his Accompt yearly to be made of his Receipts, payments charges + disbursements before the Auditors of the Mint or Mints for the time being have full allowance defalcation + discharge of +for all summe + summes of money as he shall duly pay and disburse according to the true intent and meaning of the above recited Letters Patents + according to the directions hereafter in these presents expressed and according to the course of the said Mint or Mints respectively as by the same Acts of Parliament is directed and appointed
<384r>11 And the said Isaac Newton doth by these presents convenant undertake + agree to + with our Sovereign Lady the Queen to make her Majesties monies in manner + form following (that is to say) to make four sorts of money of Crowne Gold
One piece which shall be called the 10s piece running for ten shillings sterling and there shall bee eighty + nine of these in the pound weight Troy
One other piece which shall be called the twenty-shilling piece running for 20s sterling + there shall be 44 of these + one ten shilling piece or the weight of a 10s. piece in the pound weight Troy
One other piece which shall be called the Forty shilling piece runnign for 40s sterling and there shall be 22 of these + one ten shilling piece or the weight of a ten shilling piece in the pound weight Troy
And one other piece which shall be called the five pound piece running for 5£. sterling + there shall be nine of these wanting one ten shilling piece or the weight of one 10s piece in the pound weight Troy
12 And that every pound weight Troy of all the monies of Gold aforesaid shall hold in number + be in value 44£: 10s + shall be in fineness at the trial of the same twenty two Carretts of fine gold + two Carretts of allay in every pound weight Troy, the which standard aforesaid of 22 Carretts of fine gold + two Carretts of allay in every pound weight Troy Our sovereign Lady the Queen doth will ordain + establish by these presents to be the right standard of her Majesties moneys of Crown gold
13. And the said Isaac Newton shall have + receive the summe of 6s: 6d for the coinage of every pound weight of Gold money to be by him detained + kept for the paying bearing + sustaining all manner of wasts provisions necessaries + charges coming arising + growing in + about the Coinage of her Majesties said Gold moneys by the Mill + press, out of the moneys to be paid + payable to him as is hereafter expressed And the said Master shall out of the said 6s: 6d. allowed unto him + to be received by him as aforesaid for every pound weight Troy of the moneys of Gold from time to time pay unto the Moniers the summe of 3s. for their <384v> Labour waste + charges in the coining of every pound weight Troy of the said gold moneys by the Mill + press according to the undertakings + agreements of the Moniers with the said Master + Worker.
14. But because the said moneys of gold may not continually be made according in all things to the right standard, but peradventure in default of the said Master + Worker it shall be found sometimes too strong or too feeble by too much or too little in weight or in fineness or in both Our sovereign Lady the Queen doth will + command that when the said moneys of gold shall be found at the assay before the deliverance too strong or too feeble, all only in weight, or all only in fineness or in both, the sixth part of a Carett in the pound weight of gold + no more, the which sixth part in that one, or the sixth part in that other or the sixth part in them both shall be called Remedy for the said Master That then that money shall be delivered for good so always that the same default happen by Casualty otherwise not But if default hee found in the same money in weight or in fineness or in both over the sixth part of a Carrat which is called Remedy as foresaid then the Deliverance shall cease + that money shall be challenged + adjudged less than good + to be new molten + retained at the rest of the said Master till it be put to pout as money deliverable
15. And also the said Master hath undertaken and by these presents doth agree + undertake to + with our sovereign Lady the Queen to make eight manner of moneys of silver (That is to say)
One piece which shall be called the Crown running for five shillings sterling + there shall be twelve of those + two shillings in the pound weight Troy
One other piece which shall be called the half Crown running for two shillings six pence sterling + these shall be twenty four of those and two shillings in the pound weight Troy
One other piece which shall be called the Shilling running for Twelve pence sterling and there shall bee sixty and two of those in the Pound Weight Troy
<385r>One other piece which shall be called the half shilling running for six pence sterling + there shall be 124 of those in the pound weight Troy
One other piece which shall be called the Groat running for four pence sterling and there shall be 186 of those in the pound weight Troy
One other piece which shall be called the half sixpence running for three pence sterling and there shall be 248 of those in the pound weight Troy
One other piece which shall be called the half Groat running for two pence sterling and there shall be 372 of those in the pound weight Troy
And one other piece which shall be called the penny running for one penny sterling + there shall be 744 of those in the pound weight Troy
And every pound weight Troy of the moneys of the silver aforesaid shall be + hold in number as aforesaid + bee in value 3L: 2s. sterling + shall be in fineness at the tryall of the same Eleven Ounces two Pennyweights of fine silver eighteen pennyweights of allay, Which eleven Ounces two pennyweights of fine silver + 18 pennyweights of allay in the pound weight Troy aforesaid is the old right Standard of the moneys of Silver of England
And be the said Master bound to make all the monies of Crown gold + Standard silver aforesaid agreable in fineness to the respective Indented tryall Pieces made by the direction of the late King James the second in the fourth year of his reign which said Indented tryall pieces do now remaine in the six several places hereafter mentioned (That is to say) One Indented Piece of Crown Gold + one Indented Piece of standard silver in her Majesties Treasury within this kingdome of England to try the monies of gold + silver from time to time coined by the said Master + Worker of her Majesties moneys for the time being in fineness thereby The like with the Warden of the Mint within the Towers of London for the time being to try the moneys of gold + silver from time to time coined in her Majesties Mint in fineness thereby As also to try the gold + silver Bullion brought thither if any difference shall happen to arise between the said Master and Worker + the Bringers in of the same The like with the said <385v> Master + Worker to make the said moneys in business thereby, The like with the Wardens of the Company of Goldsmiths within the City of London in Goldsmiths Hall for the tryall of their plate + other works, as well of Gold as of Silver in fineness thereby, The like in her Majesties Treasury of the kingdome of Scotland to charge the Officers of her Majesties moneys for the time being within the said kingdom thereby for the true making of the moneys there And the like with the General + other Officers of the Mint within the saide kingdome of Scotland to make the money in the said kingdome in fineness thereby
And the said Isaac Newton shall have + receive the summe of One shilling + four pence halfpenny to be by him taken for the Coinage of every pound weight Troy of silver moneys for the paying bearing + sustaining of all manner of wasts provisions necessaries + charges coming arising + growing in + about the Coining of her Majesties Crownes half Crowns shillings + sixpences of silver moneys by the Mill + Press out of the moneys to be paid + payable unto his as is hereinafter expressd And the said Master shall out of the 1s: 4d allowed to him as aforesaid + received by him for every pound weight Troy of the moneys of silver pay from time to time unto the Moniers the summe of eight pence for the making of every pound weight Troy of the said Silver moneys by the Mill and Press according to the undertaking + agreement of the said Moniers with the said Master and Worker
And our sovereign Lady the Queen doth by these presents order + appoint That the said Master + Worker out of the said Moneys to be paid to him as aforesaid shall pay or cause to be paid yearly unto the Warden of her said Majesties Mints for the time being by quarterly payments the yearly summe of 1435li for the Fees + salaries of the several + respective Officers of the Mint payable by the said Warden according to the distribution & appointment mentioned in a schedule hereunto annex'd
But because the said moneys of silver cannot continually be made in all things according to the right Standard In as much as sometimes in default of the said Master + Worker it may bee made too strong or too feeble, by too much or too little in weight or in fineness or in both Our sovereign Lady the Queen doth will that when the said moneys of silver upon the assay before the delivery be found too strong or too feeble, all only in weight or all only in fineness or in both by two pennyweights in the pound weight Troy aforesaid after the old Computation of 20 pennyweights in the Ounce + no more, the which two pennyweights in that one <386r> [33] Or two pennyweight in that other or two pennyweights in them both shall be called Remedy for the Master That then such moneys to be delivered for good so always the same default do happen by Casualty otherwise not But if default be found in the said moneys in weight or in fineness or in both over the said Two pennyweight in the poundweight Troy aforesaid Then ceaseth deliverance of the said moneys + the same to be challenged less that good + at the reste of the Master to be newly molten + received till it be put to point as moneys deliverable as aforesaid
And our said sovereign Lady the Queen willeth agreeth + granteth by this Indenture that the said Master and Worker for the time being do + shall receive as well her Majesties own Bullion of gold + silver as the Bullion of any other person or persons whatsoever, repairing to the Mint with any Bullion of Gold + silver aforesaid to be coined into the moneys before mentioned by weight, delivering to the parties bringing in the same Bullion Bills, testifying the weight fineness + value thereof, together with the day + order of its delivery into the said Mint or Mints + within as convenient time as may be deliver the same again to our Sovereign Lady the Queene for the Bullion And to the other parties or their Attornies delivering the same Bills, by the same weight according to the value of the said Bullion at such time + in such manner + forme as in this present Indenture is limited + applied.
And our Sovereign Lady the Queen doth will and command by the Indenture That the said Warden + Wardens + Comptroller + Comptrollers of her Majesties said Mint As also her Majesties Chief Clerk + Clerks of the papers for the time being shall enter + record in severall Leidger Books all such Bullion of Gold + silver as from time to time shall be brought into the said Mint, The which Entry shall comprehend the weight fineness + value of the said Bullion, The parties name that brought it and what day And after the said Bullion of gold + silver shall bee received and the assays thereof made reported and entered into the said Leidger Books, the same Bullion shall be forthwith put into a Chest or room, + the Chest or room shall be locked with three keys, whereof one key shall remaine with the said Warden or Wardens or one of them, + one other of the keys shall remaine with the said Master for the time being, + one other key shall remain with the said Comptroller or Comptrollers for the time being + there shall continue untill such time as the same be deliver'd to the making of moneys
<386v>And the said Wardens or one of them + Comptrollers + likewise her Majesties Clerk shall also keep severall Books of melting, declaring in the same, the Quantity + fineness of all manner of gold + silver + allay put into the melting with the report of every assay called the pot assay And the same Books shall remaine in their several Custodies to charge the Master with all And the said Books shall monthly be subscribed + figured by the said Wardens or one of them + the Master + Comptroller. [37]And the said Assaymaster of our sovereign Lady the Queen shall keep one Book of all such Bullion of gold + silver as shall be brought into the said Mint whereby the quantity + fineness may appeare with the report also of the assay of every several pot commonly called the Pott assay, which Pott assay shall be made of some Ingotts of the said Bullion to be taken by the said Warden or Wardens Comptroller + Assaymaster or any two of them after the pott is cast out
And if any person or persons happen to bring into the Mint any manner of Gold or Silver nigh to the standard aforesaid Then the Master shall receive it for the value accordingly so as the charges to make it agreable in fineness to the several Standards aforesaid be born and sustained out of the Revenue arising to her Majestie by vertue of the aforesaid Acts of Parliament.
And our said sovereign Lady the Queen doth by these presents give full power and authority unto the said Master and Worker from time to time to put such privy Mark or Marks upon the Edges or Flatsides of the said gold + silver money so to be coined as aforesaid as he the said Master shall judge most safe and convenient for the said moneys, and from time to time to alter + charge such privy mark or marks according as he shall judge the same most convenient and necessary so that the said Master and Worker may from time to time know and discover, which of Gold and Silver amongst other bee made by him
<387r>[40]c
And the said Warden or Wardens + Comptroller then Deputy or Deputies shall oversee + survey the said assaying melting sizing + making of the said moneys of gold + silver at all times + in all paces, + shall indeavour +procure that the ballances + weights be always mended + put to point from time to time when they shall need to that no default be found in them to the hurt of her Majestie or her people
And the Surveyor of the Meltings shall take care of his Duty in surveying the Meltings aforesaid + shall keep a Book containing the weight of such Gold + Silver as shall be molten, from time to time with the assays put into the same And when the said moneys bee coined + compleats the said Warden,or Wardens, Master + Comptroller or Comptrollers shall put them into a Chest or Room locked with three keys where one shall remaine with the said Warden or Wardens[42] one with the said Master + the third with the Comptroller untill such time as proof + tryal be had of the said money and payment be made to the Bringers in the of the said Bullion accordingly Which proof shall be had and made before deliverance of the said moneys + shall be made in the presence of the said Warden or Wardens, Master, and Comptroller or Comptrollers by her Majesties Assaymaster for the time being, The same assay to be taken as well of the fineness as of the Weight by such Quantity + after such sort as shall be agreed upon by the said Warden or Wardens Comptrollers + Assaymaster
And after the said moneys of Gold + silver be assayed + proved or good as is aforesaid before any deliverance be of the whole sume, a portion of the said moneys shall be taken + put into a Box by the said Wardens or Wardens or by their Deputy or Deputies in the presence of the said Master his Deputy, and the Comptroller or their Deputy whereof the Assay shall be made before our Sovereign Lady the Queen from time to time or such of her Councell as have been accustomed or shall be appointed by her Majestie at Westminster or elsewhere it shall please her Majestie or Councell to appoint <387v>
(That is to say) for every Iourney weight of Gold not exceeding fifteen pound weight Two pieces, whereof the one to be for the Pix + the other for the assay And out of every Iourney of Silver moneys containing sixty pounds weight two pieces at least, the one moiety thereof to be for the Pix and the other for the assay And they shall be ensealed with the seales of the said Warden or Wardens, Master, and Comptroller or Comptrollers + the said Box shall be shutt with three keys, whereof one key shall abide with the said Warden or Wardens and one with the Master and the third with the Comptroller or Comptrollers which Pix shall remain in a Chest or Room as is aforesaid [44] And upon reasonable warning thereof given it shall be opened from time to time before our Sovereign Lady the Queene or such of her Councell as shall be by her Majestie appointed at Westminster or elsewhere it shall please her Majestie or her said Councell to appoint And in presence of the said Warden or Wardens Master + Comptroller there shall be assays made as well of the fineness as of the weight of the said moneys of Gold + silver in the said Box after the most just manner as can be thought of to be made by fire by water by Touch or by weight, or by all or by any of them To the end that if the said moneys of gold + silver bee found + proved good and Convenable after the Covenants orders + agreements aforesaid the said Master to be quiet excusd + discharged against her said Majestie + all her people unto that day And then the said Master at his will to have Letters Patents of our Sovereign Lady the Queen under the Great seale of England to be made for his acquittance specifying the said Assays to be made + found as aforesaid in such sort as in ancient times hath been accustomed without Fee therefore paying for the making, Which Letters Patents these presents shall be a sufficient warrant and Discharge to the Lord Chancellour or Lord keeper of the Great seale of England for the time being without any further or special warrant to be issued out for the same.
<388r>And if it shall be found by the assays that the Pound weight thoroughly tried answereth not the full standard in fineness as aforesaid But shall be worse + yet within the Remedies aforesaid The lack thereof shall be entered on Record by the said Warden or Wardens + Comptroller or such as they thereunto shall appoint and a true accompt thereof shall be made to her Majestie and the same fully + wholly to be answered to her Majestie without any proffit or Commodity to grow unto any other person or persons for the same
Saving always that in Case by the said Assay it shall be found that the same moneys of Gold + Silver do pass at any time the said standards or any of them so as the same be better in fineness or in weight or in both, than is appointed by the standards + yet within the Remedies then so much thereof to be entered of Record + hold place to the said Master in the charge which shall have when any lack shall be found by the said assays under the standards aforesaid
And if it shall happen in the said moneys of gold or silver or either of them upon either of the just assays as shall be made of the abovesaid Boxes in manner aforesaid be it in weight or in fineness, any default be found without the said Remedies ordained for the said Master as is abovesaid or any of them The said Master shall make fine + ransome to her said Majestie at her will
And the said Warden, Master + Worker + Comptroller or any of them as often as need shall require shall + may take up as many Gravers to grave Irons at her Majesties price and also as many Smiths + Workmen + Labourers + other necessaries for + to the making of the said Irons + moneys aforesaid + the doing of all manner of business within the Mint as to the said Warden, Master + Comptroller shall seem needfull to have In which taking of such Gravers Smiths Workmen + Labourers + other necessaries and sovereign Lady the Queen doth will and command by this Indenture all Mayors Sherriffe Bayliffs and all other Officers that they to the said Warden or Wardens, Master and Comptroller aforesaid + to his + their Deputy and Deputies therein be assistant aiding helping and fortifying as to right doth belong
<388v>And our Sovereign Lady the Queen doth will and grant by these presents that it shall be lawfull for the said Warden or Wardens or Master or Comptroller of her Majesties Mint at all times such + so many of the said Ingravers Smiths Workmen + Labourers as by their discretions be not of good bearing in their Offices + Labours to punish put out avoid + remove, like as to the Warden or Wardens Master or Comptroller shall semm meet according to right + for her Majesties weale
And be the said Master bound + holden to receive all manner of Gold + silver brought to the Tower after the very value (that is to say) Every parcell in its degree, One to the more, another to the less, after the quantity it shall appear by the assay to be better or worse than the standard And if the said Master + the Merchant which bringeth in the said gold + silver may not accord between them of the true value, her Majesties Assaymaster to that deputed in the presence of the said Warden or Wardens, Master and Comptroller ought + shall try the truth in that part And the said Master shall thereupon receive the same + stand thereafter charged in manner as it belongeth
And our said sovereign Lady the Queen doth will and straightly charge by this Indenture all the Officers of the Tower aforesaid That the Officers aforesaid + all other Officers of the Mint + their servants + also all manner of persons bringing Gold and Silver to the Tower shall have free ingress + egress + issue by the Gates + thro' the same Tower and Franchizes thereof inward + outwards of all times without any arresting disturbance letting or gainsaying of the Chief Governour Constable or Lieutenant or the Porter or any other Officer or person whatsoever it be + without any thing given to them or to any other to have such entry or issue
And be the said Warden or Wardens Master + Comptroller held + bound to give their attendance at the said Mint every Wednesday in the Week + such other days as shall be by them appointed + agreed on for the receipt of all such Bullion as shall be brought into the said Mint + for the delivery out of the coined moneys And the said Master to pay the summe of 52£ by the year towards the charges of the <389r>
Diet of 104£ heretofore allowed by her Majesties Royall predecessors to the Officers of the said Mint, The same 52£ to be paid by the said Master so long as her Majestie shall continue her part of the Diet hereafter in these presents expressed + allowed And of the same + every of them to discharge + acquit our Sovereign Lady the Queen from time to time + so long as he shall continue Master + Worker of the said Moneys
And her Majestie doth grant by these presents to beare + allow the other summe of 52£ parcell of 104£. for the Diet of the Officers aforesaid which her Majesties will and pleasure is shall from time to time be paid by the said Warden or Wardens + doth grant that thereof he shall have allowance on his Accompt, The said Diet to continue till her Majestie shall order otherwise under he Majesties Sign Manual
And that the said Warden or Wardens shall make his or their Accompts yearly, as well of all + every hisor their Receipts, as of his or their Payments + other charges before the Auditors of the Mint for the time being, unless it shall please her Majestie otherwise to appoint the same in which accompt the said Auditors or others to be appointed by her Majestie to take the said Accompts shall make unto the Warden or Wardens full allowance defalcation + discharge as well of all such summe + summes of money as he or they shall duly prove to have been paid or disbursed for Officers Fees wages + Diet of the said Officers as for any other necessary charges to be employed in + about the making of the said moneys, or repairing of the said Offices + houses necessary to be employed in the said Offices + houses necessary to be employed in the said service under the Avouchment of the said Master, Comptroller + Assaymaster or any two of them whereof the said Master to be one And the said Accompts so to be made by the said Auditors or by any other of her Majesties special appointment for the same being stated + his debt determined + his said Accompts fully answered to her Majestie the said Warden or Wardens upon his or their suit to the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper of the Great seale or Commissionersof the great seale to be made for his or their Acquittance without Fee therefore paying for the making, Of which said Letters Patents <389v> These presents shall be a sufficient Warrant Discharge to the said Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper or Commissioners of the Great seale for the time being without any further or special warrant to be sued out for the same
And her said Majestei doth grant + confirm by these presents that the Officers of the Mint shall at all times hold have + peacebly enjoy all places houses grounds as well builded as unbuilded within the said Mint which heretofore have been called reputed or taken for the Mint without Medling Let or disturbance by the Chief Governor Constable Lieutenant or any other Officers or Ministers of the Tower And her said Majestie doth grant + confirm by this Indenture to the aforesaid Officers + to all other Officers + Ministers of the Mint the Charters + Franchizes to them before this time granted after the effort + purport of the same Charters.
And also our sovereign Lady the Queen doth will that the said Moniers Workmen + all other Ministers of the Mint shall be ready to do their Work at all times without denial when they shall be warned by the said Warden or Wardens Master or Comptroller upon pain of losing their Franchizes + Bodies to prison Also that all the gold + silver that the Master shall deliver to the Moniers to be coined as aforesaid shall be in clean plates + delivered by Weight And the said Moniers to make + coin the same into moneys + then deliver the same again to the Master in clean pieces proportionally by the same weight + if any thing lack of the same weight at any time of deliverance they to pay + content the said Master for the same at every deliverance at that ballance + so done the Master to pay them the wages that belong to them
And for the Covenants agreements grants and premisses abovesaid well + truly to be holden + performed on the part of the said Master + that he shall bear himselfe towards her Majestie + her people in the said Office well and covenable + that he shall make Gree to her said Majestie the Master hath made bodily Oath before her Majestie in Chancery + bindeth himself his heirs + Executers to her Majestie by these presents And for more surety to make Gree with the Queen + to the Merchants of that belongeth to <390r> [59] Them of the gold + silver which he shall receive by + in manner as is aforesaid while he shall be in the said Office The aforesaid Master hath found Burrows and Sureties afore our Sovereign Lady the Queen in her Exchequer in the summe of 2000£ + that upon pain thereof he shall make Gree to the Queens Highness + to the Merchants in manner + form as is aforesaid.
And the said Master doth covenant promise + grant to + with her said Majestie from time to time to bring into the said Mint convenient + sufficient supplied of Gold + Silver + make full payments + deliverance of all manner of moneys with all convenient speed according to the said Acts of Parliament for the proffit of her Majesty her Heires and Successors + the ease of the people [61] And the said Master doth convenant promise + grant to + with out Sovereign Lady the Queen to bear pay + sustain all manner of wast provisions necessaries + charges coming arising and growing in and about the Coining of her Majesties gold and silver Moneys respectively by the Mill + Press according to the allowance in that behalf made by her Majesty by this present Indenture
And our sovereign Lady the Queen doth will + command that the Warden or Wardens of the Mint for the time being shall content + pay to the Officers + Ministers aforesaid such stipends + wages + such Diet as in a Schedule is limited + appointed in manner + form + during such term as in the same is expressed + that thereof he + they have due allowance + defalcation upon his or their accompt [63] And the said Master shall be holden + bound to bring or cause to be brought all the gold + silver that he shall receive by colour of his Office into the Mint to be molten + made into moneys for help + increase of the moneys for her Majesties proffit + the ease of her people without sale aliening or putting it t any other use Excepting all such healing pieces seals + Meddalls of Gold + silver as shall be made for her Majesties use or by her Majesties Commands
And further our sovereign Lady the Queen doth will + command by these presents the Warden or Wardens of her Majesties Mint that he or they with all convenient speed + with the consent + agreement of the General of her <390v> [64] Majesties Mint within the Realm of Scotland of make or cause to be made two Piles of English Weights in the most perfect + exact manner that by the endeavours can be done whereof twelve Ounces english shall Over poise twelve Ounces Scottish four pennyweights + nine grains english + that the greater + smaller weights to the two Piles shall bee made + framed proportionably thereto And after the said two Piles shall be so made as aforesaid they shall be brought to the Tower of London + there shall be examined + printed with a Rose crowned + Thistle crown'd in the presence of the Officers of her Majesties Mint within the said Tower + after the same be so examined + printed as is aforesaid The Warden or Wardens shall at the Tower deliver one of the said Piles to the General of her Majesties Mint within her said kingdome of Scotland by Bill Indented under the hands of the said Warden + General to be carried into Scotland by the said Generall + to remain with her Majesties Officers within her said Majesties Mint in the Realme of Scotland And the other of the said piles shall remaine with the Warden or Wardens for the time being within the said Tower of London
And also her said Majesty doth will + command by these presents the Warden or Warden of her Majesties said Mint for the time being that he or they will with all convenient speed + with the consent + agreement of her Majesties General of the Mint within the Realm of Scotland make or cause to be made two piles of Scottish weights in the most perfect + exact manner that can be done by their endeavours, whereof twelve Ounces Scottish shall be less of weight then twelve Ounces english by 4dwts: 9gr english + to the greater + smaller weights of the said two piles of Scottish weights shall be made as aforesaid they shall be brought to the said Tower of London + there shall be examined + painted with a Rose crown'd + a Thistle crown'd in the presence of her Majesties Officers of the Mint within the said Tower of London + after the same be examin'd + painted as aforesaid the said Warden or Wardens for the time being shall keep one of the said 2 Piles of Scottish weights within the Tower of London + shall deliver the other of the said Piles of Scottish weights to the General of her Majesties Mint within the Realm of Scotland by Bill indented under the hands of the said Warden + General to be carried into Scotland by the said General and to remain with her Majesties Officers for the time being within her Majesties Mint in the said Realm of Scotland to the end that other weights of Troy within the said Realme of Scotland may be made conformable unto them
<391r>And the said Master + Worker shall accompt yearly before the Auditor of the Mint or such other as her Majesty shall appoint And the said Accompt so to be made + taken by the said Auditors or by any other specially appointed by her Majesty for the same being stated + his Debt determined + his said account fully answered to her Majesty the said Master + Worker upon suit to the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper or Commissioners of the Great seale of England for the time being shall have Letters Patents of her said Majesty under the great seale of England for the Acquittance without fee therefore paying For the making of which said Letters Patents, these presents or the Inrollment thereof shall be a sufficient Warrant + Discharge to the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper or Commissioners of the Great seale of England for the time being without any further or more special warrant to be sued out for the same
Andthe said Master + Worker is hereby authorized + appointed from time to time to pay unto the Warden of the Mint for the time being out of the Monies received by the said Master + Worker out of the Exchequer aforesaid such summe + summes of money as from time to time shall be due and payable by the said Warden or Wardens unto the Officers of the Mint for their fees + salaries + for repairs + such other expences of the Mint as have been heretofore usually paid + disbursed by the Warden or Wardens of the Mint for the time being And the said Master + Worker is hereby likewise appointed + authorized out of the moneys received or to be received by him upon or by vertue of the said Act for incouraging of Coynage aforesaid to retain + keep in his own hands yearly the summe of 1175 as well for the Fees salaries due to himself as also for the paying + discharging of the severall + respective Fees + salaries of the severall + respective Officers of the Mint and Clerks in the said Schedule mentioned to be payable by the said Master + Worker according to the distribution + apportionment mentioned in the said Schedule
And our Sovereign Lady the Queen doth hereby order + appoint that the Warden, Master + Worker and Comptroller of her Majesties Mint + Mints that hereafter shall be + their respective Deputies shall + do before his their or any of their being admitted into the knowledge <391v> [68] Of the Invention of rounding of her Majesties Moneys + marking of the Edges of them with Letters or Grainings or either of them to take an Oath before the Lord High Treasurer or Commissioners of the Treasury for the time being who are hereby respectively authorized to give the same Not to reveal or discover to any person or persons whatsoever the said new Invention of rounding the moneys + marking the Edges of them with Letters or Graining or either of them directly or indirectly unless her Majesties her heires or Successors shall otherwise command + direct the same + her Majesty doth hereby likewise order + appoint that all such Workmen that shall be trusted or employed in the making or using the said Instruments for rounding the moneys + marking the moneys upon the Edges as aforesaid shall likewise take an Oath before the Warden of the Mint for the time being who is hereby authorized to administer the same accordingly Not to reveal or discover to any person or persons whatsoever the said New Invention of rounding the moneys + marking the Edges of them with Letters or Grainings as aforesaid or either of them directly or indirectly in part or in whole
It is hereby likewise strictly commanded + enjoyed by her said Majesty that neither the Provost nor any of the Moniers of the said Mint their Apprentices or servants do or shall at any time after the date hereof presume to ven pay or distribute any piece or pieces of her Majesties coined moneys either of Gold or silver untill the same shall be deliver'd by them according to the course of the Mint into her Majesties Officer of Receipt there + duly assayed + pixed upon paid of forfeiting their Franchises + Bodies to prison
And farther that no person or persons do liver or inhabit within her Majesties Mint in the Tower of London without the knowledge or approbation of the Warder Master Worker + Comptroller of the Mint for the time being Except such Officers Workmen Moniers + Ministers of the said Mint + such other persons as have right thereto
And her said Majesty doth by these presents also will + ordain that the Comptroller of the Mint for the time being shall deliver upon Oath taken before one of the Barons of the Exchequer a Roll which shall be called the Comptrollers Roll containing an accompt of all the Gold + silver Bullion + allay molten, + of all the Gold + silver moneys coin'd monthly
<392r>In the said Mint And the said Master or his Deputy shall pay unto such Officers or Workmen that shall be employ'd in making of several Gold + silver pieces round before they are sized + for the marking the Edges of them with Letters or Grainings + for the keeping in repair all the Rollers + Instruments to cut flatten make round + size the pieces + to mark the Edges of the Money with Letter + Grainings + all other Tools and Engines + Instruments such allowance from time to time as shall be directed by the High Treasurer or Commissioners of the Treasury for the time being not exceeding the summe of six pence for every pound weight Troy of Gold moneys + the summe of three half pence for every pound weight Tory of the said silver moneys as also for the making Labour + expences therein
And furthermore because the Provost + Company of Moniers + Workers of the moneys may be incouraged to do their Duties well in the making sizing blanching and coyning of the Gold + silver moneys As also for the making upon every hundred pound weight of silver moneys hereafter to be coined. One pound weight + a half or eighteen Ounces in the Quantities or species follow vizt. in pence half an Ounce, in two pences these Ounces, in Three pences six Ounces and in Groats eight Ounces + a half Our Sovereign Lady the Queen for the considerations aforesaid gratiously pleased + hereby contented + by these presents doth give power + authority to the Master + Worker of the Mint for the time being that so long as the Warden of the Mint + he the said Master + Comptroller or any two of them whereof the said Warden to be one, shall perceive the aforesaid moneys to be well sized Blanched + coined by the performance of the said service in small moneys the performance of the said service in small moneys the said Master shall pay to the aforesaid Provost + Company of Moniers one penny by Tale of every pound weight of all the silver moneys to be made + coined by force of this Indenture over + above the ordinary piece of eight pence allow'd them who of the Master shall have allowance upon his Accompt by vertue of these presents at all times hereafter without any other or more special warrant
Provided also that the Moniers having the Gold + silver deliver'd unto them in Clean Ingotts fit to bee wrought shall make + deliver seven twelfth parts of the same in Money so that there be but five parts in twelve scissell.
<392v>And our Sovereign Lady the Queen doth hereby will + command that the Clerk of the Irons for the time being do keep a true Accompt of all the Blank Dies for the coining of the gold + silver moneys which shall from time to time be delivered to the Chief Ingraver or Ingravers of her Majesties Mint for the time being And also of all the Blank Dies which shall be sunk or stamp'd by the said Graver or Gravers And of all the Dies which after sinking shall be made fit for use + hardned And the said Graver + Gravers is + are hereby likewise enjoyned monthly to return to the said Clerk of the Irons all Dies as shall from time to time be faulty + worn by using in the said Mint or otherwise to be defaced in the presence of the Warden Master + Comptroller of the said Mint + not otherwise
And the said Clerk of the Irons is hereby further enjoyned to give an Accompt to the said Warden Master + Comptroller as he shall thereunto be required by them of what blank Dyes have been delivered unto the said Graver or Gravers or sunk by them or hardned by the Smith, + what faulty + worn out Dies have been returned by them to be defaced As also what others are remaining in their hands that a just account may be kept of the same
And that the said Gravers shall not work or make or grave any Punchions Matrices Dies or stamps for the making or coining of any money of Gold + silver But only in such houses or places in her Majesties Mint within the Tower of London as shall be thereunto assigned by the aforesaid Warden Master + Comptroller
And for the more exact sizing of Gold and Silver Coyns to be made by the Mill + Press + the reducing them to a greater exactness + equality in weight It is hereby ordered commanded + appointed by her Majesties that the Counter poise of the several + respective gold + silver herein mentioned be made lighter than their just weight according to the proportions follow (that is to say) That two Grains be taken from the Counterpoise of the Crown, one grain from the half Crown, half a grain from the shilling + a quarter of a grain to be taken from the Counter poise of the six pence of silver Money And that two Grains be taken from the counter poise of the five pound piece one Grain <393r> from the Forty shilling piece, half a Grain from the twenty shilling piece and a quarter of a grain from the Counterpoise of the tenn shilling piece of Gold
And our Sovereign Lady the Queen doth hereby command + enjoyn the Provost + the rest of the Moniers of the Mint with their respective Apprentices duly to attend her Majesties service in the present way of coining as used shall require both morning + afternoon + to work in such Tasks + so many hours every day (Sunday only excepted) as shall be thought fit + appointed them by the said Master according to the labour of the respective Tasks + the length of the days And in Case the said Provosts + Moniers or any of their Apprentices shall wilfully neglect or refuse to attend + do their Duties accordingly Then the Warden Master + Comptroller of the Mint for the time being are hereby required and authorized to proceed against every the said persons offending + to expell remove or otherwise punish them + every of them as in reason + justice they shall think fit for her Majesties service according to the ancient powers + authorities of right belonging to them
And her said Majesty doth hereby further declare her pleasure to be That these presents + the agreements therein contained shall be of force + have continuance only during her Majesties pleasure any thing in these presents contained to the contrary notwithstanding
In wittness whereof to one part of these present Indentures remaining with our said Sovereign Lady the Queen the said Isaac Newton hath set his hand + seale And to the other part of these present Indentures remaining with the said Isaac Newton our said Sovereign Lady the Queen hath caused her great seale of England to be affixed Given the day and year abovewritten.
<393v>A Schedule or Table of the Fees + Salaries of the Officers of her Majesties Mint within the Tower of London vizt.
<394r>Ver Breve de Privato Sigillo
Seymour
Irrotulat in Officio un Aurditor de le Mint + les Prests xviij°. die Novembr 1703 ao. rni Dnæ Annæ Rnæ &c scdo
F Bythell Deputy B Bridges Ar Auditoris
Irrotulat in Officio Edri Harley Ar un duoy Auditor de le Prests + de le Mint &c xxviij°. die Novembr 1703.
Ja Moody Deputy Auditor.
Indenture between her Majesty + Isaac Newton Esqre (now Sir Isaac Newton Knight) Master and Worker of her Majesties Mint
Recitall of Letters Patents
To enjoy the said Office during her Majesties pleasure etc
Recital that this Indenture is pursuant to the said Letters Patents
Grant of the said Office of Master + Worker to the said Esqre. Newton with the yearly pention of 500l &c
Covenant in what manner the said pention shall be paid.
Grants all Edifices &c
+ power to exercise the said
Recitall of Acts of Parliament that all moneys thereby applied for the use of the Mint be paid by warrant of the Lord Treasurer applied to no other use
The Master to receive his payments and disbursements out of her Majesties Exchequer
+ shall be allowed all payments made pursuant to the said Acts
Esqre. Newton to make 4 sorts of gold moneys
10s. piece
20s piece
40s piece
5£ piece
the value + fineness
The Master to have 6s: 6d per pound for wasts + to pay the Moniers 3s.
The Remedy for the Gold Moneys
8 sorts of silver moneys
The Crown
Crown
shilling
shilling
Groat
sixpence
Groat
penny
the value + fineness of the silver
That the said moneys shall bee agreable in fineness to the Standards of the Treasury
The Master to have 1s: 4d per pound weight out of the silver + to pay the Moniers 8d.
+ to pay the Warden yearly 1435li.
The Remedy for the Silver Money
how the Bullion shall bee received into the Mint
The Warden Comptroller + Clerk paper to enter al Bullion + lock it up with 3 keys
That they shall also keep several Books of melting
The Pott Assay
how Bullion near the Standard shall be received
a Privy mark to be put on the Moneys
The Warden + Comptroller to oversee the making of Moneys &
The duty of the Surveyor of the meltings
The money to be lock'd up with 3 keys till proof made thereof
how the Pix is to be assayed
The triall of the Pix
If the same be worse then standard + within the remedy then to bee entered on record
The like if it be better + within the remedy
If without the remedy the Master to be fined
Gravers &c
+ power to punish them
Differences betwixt the Master + Merchant to be tried by the Assaymaster
All Officers of the Mint to have free passage thro' the Tower gates
The Warden Master + Comptroller to attend weekly
the Master to pay half the Diet
her Majesties the other half
how the Warden shall account
The Officers of the Mint to enjoy all houses there
Order for the Moniers &c
The Master sworn to perform these Covenants.
+ gives Sureties
The Master to bring in Gold + Silver to be coined
+ he to beare all wasts &c
what salaries are to be paid by the Warden
The Master to bring all gold + silver he receives into the Mint to be coined except healing pieces &c
Two piles of English weights to be made
+ two Piles of Scottish weights
The Master to accompt yearly
what moneys are to be paid by the Master to the Warden
The Warden Master + Comptroller &c to swear not to discover the secret of lettering the moneys &c
The Provost + Moniers not to vend any Monies till assayed + pixed.
None to dwell in the Mint without consent
The Comptrollers Roll
The Master to pay the Officers for rounding the moneys
Incouragement for the Moniers to make Small Coyns
+ how they are to deliver the moneys
The Duty of the Clerke of the Irons
+ his account
The Gravers to work only in the Mint
Order about sizing the Moneys
The Provost + Moniers to attend duly otherwise to be punished
Source
MINT 19/1/382-394, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK14 January in the first year of Queen Anne [1703], c. 10,472 words.