Appeal against the Mint's verdict rejecting his application for the post of assay master, specifically accusing Newton of favouritism

Author: Catesby Oadham

Source: MINT 19/1/94, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK

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- Revision History
  - 1 January 2001
    - Catalogue information compiled by Rob Iliffe, Peter Spargo & John Young
  - 29 September 2011
    - Catalogue exported to teiHeader by Michael Hawkins
  - 27 October 2016
    - Transcribed by Will Scott
  - 13 January 2017
    - Checked by Will Scott
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<94r>

To the R^t. Hono^ble: Thomas Earl of Wharton Lord Privy Seal

The humble Petition\Representation/ of Catesby Oadham Gen

Sheweth.

That the place of assay master of his Maj^ties. Mint becoming Vacant in Iany 1712. Catesby Oadham (who was {bred} as Refiner and had gained good experience in assaying) being a Candidate for the same did by the direction of M^r. Taylor of the Treasury aply to S^r. Isaac Newton to be try'd ag^t. any other Candidate to whome S^r. Isaac answer'd we have reported M^r. Bratle to be the fittest person, without makeing any tryall tho Oadham is inform'd that ab^t. that time S^r. Isaac did confess to M^r. Kemp who was then a Competitor for the place that Bratle could not doe the business of an Assay Master without an Assistant.

On the 8^ce. of Aprill 1713. Oadham was try'd ag^t. M^r. Bratle before the officers of the Mint, who had before declard M^r. Bratle to be the fittest person, and afterwards made the same report tho they did allow Oad\h/am to be a good Assay Master, but Oadham setting forth the hardships of that Tryall was by the direction of the late L^d. Treasurer Oxford tryed in the whole mistery of Assaying under the inspection of the Earl of Yarmouth who amply Certified his qualifications as apears by his anexed Certificate to a petition w^ch. M^r. Oadham presented to his Maj^tie. who was graciously pleased to Order the L^ds. of the Treasury to Enquire into the Merrit|its| of the Pretender and to doe justice accordingly. but M^r. Brad|t|le or S^r. Isaac Newton hearing of this refference and being unwilling to stand the tryall obtaind a Warr^t. for M^r. Bratles haveing a Patent, before the Petition, Certificates, and refference could be read in the Treasury.

M^r. Oadham hereupon aplys to the Privy council from whence his Petition went, and is promissed that the L^d. President will call for the said petition the first general Councill day <94v> When Lord Hallifax will be present and that Matt^r. determind in councill, he therefore insists that no grant for such Pa{illeg}|t|ent passes the Privy seal till this Examinaīon is over it being of the greatest concern to the Credit of the Nation that th{e}|is| Employ be in the hands of a through {sic} quallify'd person and altho the Employm^t. is in the gift of the Lords of the Treasury, he is p^rswaded their Lordpps will desire the tryall especially since S^r. Isaac Newton who recom̄ends Bratle is excluded from such a recomendation by Act of Parliam^t. 2°. H. 6

Besides M^r. Oadham can bring Vnque{illeg}|sti|onable Witnesses to prove M^r. Bratle his incapacity and Vnfa{illeg}|ir|ness in Assaying.

Cateseby Oadham