Copy of the first memorial of Henry Smithson

Author: Henry Smithson

Source: MINT 1/7/64-5, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK

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  - 9 January 2017
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<64>

To the most Hon^ble. the Lord High Treasurer of Great Britain

The Memorial of Henry Smithson

Humbly sheweth

That the said Henry Smithson hath been for near 14 years imployed by the late & present Warden of the Mint in the apprehending & prosecuting such persons as are charged with high Treason for counterfeiting the current Coyn of the Kingdom & others for uttering & paying the same.

That He the said Smithson hath done her Majesty & the Nation considerable service in the Imploym^t. & Trust aforesd as will appear by several Certificates under the hands of Persons of Honour & Reputation and {illeg}|to| which are ready to be laid before your Lordship.

That several Persons imprisond in divers parts of the Kingdom on the account aforesaid have been lately discharged for want of a due prosecution althô strong Informations have been given on Oath against them.

That he the sd Smithson having a great many Informations ag^t Persons in divers parts of the Kingdom who are carrying on the pernicious <65> Trade of false Coining with impunity (an account of which is also ready to be laid before your Lordship) He applyed himself sometime before the last Assizes to the present Warden to give him an Account of the same By whom he was referred to his Deputy M^r Richard Barrow who told the said Smithson on his appl{e}|i|cation to him That he the said Barrow had not received a shilling so would not disburse a shilling to carry on any such prosecutions But they must drop.

That the said Smithson hath the Honour to be known by S^r. Isaac Newton and having not long since waiting on him about the matters aforesaid, S^r. Isaac was pleased to declare his consent and readiness to advance to the present Warden (by way of Impress) money sufficient to carry on the said prosecutions. And tho' there is a considerable sum of money due to the said Smithson as may appear by the Account hereunto annexed Yet the said Warden takes no notice or care thereof or of the sd Informations.

^[1]

All which is ready to be attested on Oath by the said Henry Smithson And is most humbly submitted by him to Your Losps great wisdom & Iustice

^[2]

An Account of the Charges & Expences of Henry Smithson in the pursueing taking & apprehending severall notorious false Coyners beginning in Ianry 1710.

Charges & Expences for my self, Assistants & Horses in the pursuing & taking of Eliz^a. Metcalfe, Francis Buckle, W^m Sturdy, M^r Francis Baker & M^r Hunter with others on suspicion, of whom Eliz. Metcalfe was convicted & executed & others find & impr{o}\|i\|sond viz^t Ann Buckle, Iohn Harcount & Ionathan Warwick	}	13. 09. 10
Ditto in pursuing and taking Tho. Kid & Wife, Richard Hamond (who made his escape into Ireland by a Constables neglect) & still pursuing after Francis Buckle by Order with three Assistants & Horsehire for above two months (Kid & his Wife were made \Queens/ Evidence at York)	}	11. 06. 08
Ditto in pursuit of Benedict Errington four years having a special Warr^t. & Order for the same he being Outlaw'd; Nine pounds of this was paid as encouragement to other men employd by order as can be prov'd	}	32. 11. –
Ditto in pursuit taking and prosecuting Iohn Westwood		3. 19. 04
Paid for the prosecution of Iohn Horseman & Hen. Robinson (the one died in Goal {sic} & the other sent for a souldier	}	6. 9. 6
Remaining due from the late Deputy Warden on a stated Account at Lancast^r.		5. –. –
Left to the said Dep^ty. at Abberforth in Yorkshire		2. 3. –
Paid to Iohn Thompson by Ditto's Order		10. –. –
		84. 19. 4
Due {illeg}\|by\| a Bill of Particulars lately deliver'd to the Warden		10. 18. 2
	Total	95. 17. 6

^[1] March 25. 17 $\frac{13}{4}$

^[2] Your Lordsps Commands may be directed to the said Smithson to be left with S^r. Isaac Newton