Copy of letter appointing Halley to oversee weighing of plate at the Chester Mint

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Sr.

The Lo^ds Commiss^rs of his Maj^ties: Treasury haveing agreed with Sr I^o. Iohnson & Others Vndertake{s}|r|s to pay ready money for Wrought Plate at the Country Mints. have directed Vs to appoint a person in each Mint; Wee do hereby direct & appoint You Edmund Halley Gent: to attend constantly & oversee y^e weighing of all Plate taken & Received by y^e said Vndertak^rs: at 5^s & 4^d p^r Ounce, according to the late Act of Parliam^t: to see y^e Number of y^e Ounces in every parcell duly entred in a book kept by y^e Vndertak\rs/ for y^t purpose, to signe the foot of every page totall'd conteining such Entires; to inspect y^e Melting down of all (so receiv'd & Entred) into Ingotts; to see y^t no other Silver, Money, nor any other thing whatever be melted with such Plate; And to keep an Accompt of y^e Number, Mark, & Weight of every Ingott proceeding there from

You are further directed to read for y^r: better informacon, the Act of encouraging the bringing in Wrought Plate to be coyned, made in the last session of Parliam^t.      We are y^r Lov^g Friends

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P. S. When y^r $\frac{1}{2}$ Crown dyes are worn out, You must Order yo^r. Melter to cast all y^e barrs for shillings & six pences, y^t no other species may be Coyned.

To the Comptroll^r: of Chester Mint