Copy of letter to the Chester Mint desiring that any money owed to importers be paid

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To the Offic^rs: of the Mint at Chester

Gent^men

The Lords of y^e Treasury being very y^t {a} complaint may be made by any Importers whatever for non{-}paym^t: of their money, when it shall come due, & out in cou{rse} to be paid: Vpon our representation to their Lo^pps of the greate clamour y^t will certainly arise if my private Importer should happen to be left unpaid; have given Vs for y^e use & purpose aforesaid 1600^£ for y^e Mint at Chester to be employd for the paying such Importers only; & not to be used for any otehr purpose whatever 'tis all in Excheq^r: bills & could not be otherwise. Now it must be y^r. care & skill, & Wee hereby direct You to use it, to turne these bills into money, by getting the Receiv^rs. to take them: & to make them more willing so to doe, You are \to/ let them know how much 'twill be for y^e publick service; & satisfac\t/ion of the Lords of the Treasury that y^e private Importers be actually payd in Money And You must also tell them, that the Money they ley you have of them is to be kept for, & paid to, privat{e} Import^rs only: And Wee cannot but be of opinion y^t y^e Receivers will doe what they can for y^e reasons aforesd to comply with this publick service

And for what more will be wanting Wee shall sollicite, as there is occasion: & y^e greate reading Wee find in y^e Lords to gratify Import^rs: & avoyd clamour makes Vs not doubt; but the other deficienys, when they can be ascertained will be provided by their Lo^pps in due time. Soe recommending this matter once more to y^r prudence

^[1]

Wee are y^r Lov^g Friends

Is Newton

^[2]

Tho Neale

Tho Molyneux

         1697

Charles Mason