Firm rejection of a proposal to erect a Mint for silver coinage in Dublin

<216r>

To the R^t. Hon^ble the Lords Comm^rs. of his Maj^tys.

Treasury

May it please yo^r Lord^ps.

Wee have considered the annexed Proposall abo^t. erecting a Mint in Ireland for coyning shillings and six pences of y^e. same weight allay & stamp with those coyned in y^e. Tower, and believe, y^t. such a rivall Mint, may soe farr prejudice ours, as it may draw Bullion and coynage from us. And if it shall hereby increase the money of Ireland to the advantage of their Trade & Manufacture, wee are humbly of opinion that it must have the contrary effect on England. Besides the danger of setting Ireland upon a parity with England in so great a Prerogative as y^t. of Coynage. For the business which {illeg}|t|hey offer us of making their Dyes and assaying their Money (that is of being their Graver and Assaymaster) gives us noe superiority. These are servile Offices which if it shall be his Maj^tys. pleasure to erect a Mint in that Kingdom, we humbly desire may not be imposed on us

Ireland is one of the English plantacons, & tho it has changed y^e. title of Lo^p. to that of a Kingdom, yet it still continues annexed to the Crown of England and like the other plantacons is and ought to be inferior to this Kingdom, and subservient to it's interests. And therefore we are unwilling that any opinion of ours should be made use of for promoting any designe w^ch. may tend to derive thither the money and trade of this Nation, and to make them of equall dignity and dominion with our selves, and perhaps at length desirous to seperate from this Crown, upon some fitt opportunity of joyning with it's Enemies

All w^ch. we most humbly offer to yo^r Lops consideracon

and submitt to your great wisdom and judgment

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{illeg}

<217v>

Report of the Officers of y^e. Mint abo^t. erecting a Mint in Ireland

Aug: 18 1698