Copy of letter concerning the synchronisation of practices of the Mint in Scotland and in the Tower

<136>

To the Right Hon^ble: The Lord High Treasurer of England

May it please Yo^r: Lordsp:

In obedience to yo^r: Lord^ps: Order to Vs of y^e 18^th: Ins^t. to Consider of that part of Her Maj^tes. Order in Councill (a Copy whereof ^[1]We received therewith) which relates to y^e Continuing of y^e Mint in y^e same, and to report to yo^r: Lord^p. what We think necessary to be done whereby y^e same may be effectually put in execucon, We humbly represent to yo^r. Lord^p.

That whereas by y^e said Act of Parliamen{illeg}|t| y^e Coine is to be of y^e same Standard & value throughout the Vnited Kingdom & whereas also by y^e Indenture of Her Maj^ties Mint in England the Warden with y^e Consent & agreement of y^e General of the Her Maj^tis Mint in Scotland is com̄anded to make or cause to be made two Piles of English Weights one for Each Mint to be examined & mark'd in y^e p^rsence of y^e Officers of Her Maj^ts. Mint in y^e Tower (which Clause We conceive to have been Inserted upon an antient treaty between y^e two Nations) made w^th y^e utmost exactness & examined & marked & one of them delivered for y^e use of y^e Mint in Scotland. {illeg}|a|ccording to y^e directions of y^e said Indenture.

And whereas by y^e same Inden{illeg}|t|ure there are to be six Indented Trial Pieces of Gold & Six of Silver, four of them for England & two for Scotland We are humbly of opinion. That new Indented Trial Peices {sic} be made & delivered for y^e Vses specify'd in y^e said Indenture. And particularly that one Trial piece of Each metal be delivered to y^e proper Officer who shall Covenant w^th Her Maj^te: to make y^e Monys in Scotland & one of Each to be kept either in y^e Treasury of Scotland according to y^e Indenture of by an Officer of that Mint who shall be appointed to examin, cheq & prove y^e making of y^e Monys there in Weight & Fineness before delivery as is practised in y^e. Mint in England And we are further of Opinion that y^e Money Coyned in both mints be of y^e same sizes & stamps, w^th some Letter or either mark set upon y^e Scotch money to distinguish it from y^e Money Coyned in England as was Lately practised in y^e Country Mints.

And whereas by y^e Act of Vnion y^e Mint is to be continued in Scotland under y^e same Rules as y^e Mint in England, & the present Officers of that Mint continued subject to such regulations as Her Maj^tie: &c shall think fitt We are humbly of opinion that in order thereunto so much of y^e Indenture of y^e Mint in England as containes y^e Rules for Coynage be transmitted to y^e Mint in Scotland And for y^e better puting {sic} y^e saide Rules in practise the Officers of y^e Mint in Scotland may send any of theire Mint to see & learn y^e practise of y^e Mint in y^e Tower, & if they desire it an Officer of {y^e} English Mint may be sent into Scotland to see y^e saide Rules fully putt in execucon there. & if they shall want any uses Ingines Dyes Puncheons sets Weights for comon use or any thing else Necessary for Coynage they be p^rvided for them in y^e {illeg}|To|wer   All w^ch is most humbly submitted to yo^r Lord^ps. great wisdom

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I. S.
Is. N. I. E.

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Mint office
24^th. March
170$\frac{6}{7}$