Appeal against the Mint's verdict rejecting his application for the post of assay master, specifically accusing Newton of favouritism

Author: Catesby Oadham

Source: MINT 19/1/94, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK

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- Revision History
  - 1 January 2001
    - Catalogue information compiled by Rob Iliffe, Peter Spargo & John Young
  - 29 September 2011
    - Catalogue exported to teiHeader by Michael Hawkins
  - 27 October 2016
    - Transcribed by Will Scott
  - 13 January 2017
    - Checked by Will Scott
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<94r>

To the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Wharton Lord Privy Seal

The humble Representation of Catesby Oadham Gentleman

Sheweth.

That the place of assay master of his Majesties Mint becoming Vacant in Iany 1712. Catesby Oadham (who was {bred} as Refiner and had gained good experience in assaying) being a Candidate for the same did by the direction of M^r. Taylor of the Treasury aply to Sir Isaac Newton to be try'd against any other Candidate to whome Sir Isaac answer'd we have reported M^r. Bratle to be the fittest person, without makeing any tryall tho Oadham is inform'd that about that time Sir Isaac did confess to M^r. Kemp who was then a Competitor for the place that Bratle could not doe the business of an Assay Master without an Assistant.

On the 8^ce. of Aprill 1713. Oadham was try'd against M^r. Bratle before the officers of the Mint, who had before declard M^r. Bratle to be the fittest person, and afterwards made the same report tho they did allow Oadham to be a good Assay Master, but Oadham setting forth the hardships of that Tryall was by the direction of the late Lord Treasurer Oxford tryed in the whole mistery of Assaying under the inspection of the Earl of Yarmouth who amply Certified his qualifications as apears by his anexed Certificate to a petition which M^r. Oadham presented to his Majestie who was graciously pleased to Order the Lords of the Treasury to Enquire into the Merits of the Pretender and to doe justice accordingly. but M^r. Bratle or Sir Isaac Newton hearing of this refference and being unwilling to stand the tryall obtaind a Warrant for M^r. Bratles haveing a Patent, before the Petition, Certificates, and refference could be read in the Treasury.

M^r. Oadham hereupon aplys to the Privy council from whence his Petition went, and is promissed that the Lord President will call for the said petition the first general Councill day <94v> When Lord Hallifax will be present and that Matter determind in councill, he therefore insists that no grant for such Patent passes the Privy seal till this Examination is over it being of the greatest concern to the Credit of the Nation that this Employ be in the hands of a thorough quallify'd person and altho the Employment is in the gift of the Lords of the Treasury, he is perswaded their Lordshipps will desire the tryall especially since Sir Isaac Newton who recommends Bratle is excluded from such a recomendation by Act of Parliament 2°. H. 6

Besides M^r. Oadham can bring Vnquestionable Witnesses to prove M^r. Bratle his incapacity and Vnfairness in Assaying.

Cateseby Oadham