Draft of MINT00140 (Mint 19/1/325)

<316r>

To the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of His Majestys Treasury

May it please your Lordships

The Act of Coinage being near expiring We have thought it our Duty humbly to lay before your Lordships the annexed Abstract shewing what the Moneys leviable by that Act have amounted unto for these five years past (exclusive of £1200 per annum paid to the Mint in Scotland & about £300 per annum paid for prosecuting Clippers & Coyners) & what the charges of Coining the Gold & Silver moneys within the said time come to exclusive of Salaries & Repairs of Houses Officers & Buildings which amount yearly to about £3500.

If the coinage of Gold continues to be so great as it has been the two last years, the charge of the Mint will exceed the income by about five or six thousands pounds yearly This has hitherto been supplied hitherto out of the stock which remained in the Mint which was accrued in time of war & is now reduced under £1000 which will scarce suffice to carry on the Coinage above a month longer.

Wherefore We humbly propose to your that the House of Commons may be moved that the Act of Coynage may be renewed this session of Parliament with an augmentation of the Duty from ten shillings per Tunn to fifteen shillings upon Wines &c & from 20s to 30s per Tunn upon Brandy with such restrictions or applications of the money arising therefrom as the House shall think fit when it shall appear that the Income shall exceed the charge of the Mint.

Which is most humbly submitted to your Lordships great Wisdom

Rich. Sandford

Is. Newton

Mint Office
7 Feb. 1715