'To Sr. Isaac Newton Master and Worker of his Maj. Mint in y^e Tower/ The Humble Memorial of Sam: Bull 2d. Engraver &c'

<166r>

To Sir Isaac Newton Master and Worker of his Majestys Mint in the Tower

The Humble Memorial of Sam: Bull 2^d. Engraver &c

Sheweth

That the said Sam: Bull has servd as an Engraver to the said Mint since the Year 169$\frac{6}{7}$ being invited by the late M^r Harris in the time of the great Coynage, from a profitable business he was then engag'd in, withe promises of good encouragement and accordingly received for the 1^st. years service above 100^li. which the Officers were pleasd to declare he then very well deserv'd

That when the Coynage was expiring, other Gravers, who had been Employd were discharg'd, but the said Sam Bull was invited by the three principal Officers to continue, they promising to gett him an Establishment from the Treasury which was done accordingly, by a Warrant for an allowance of 50^li. per Ann to him, as a Probationer and that was afterwards advanced to 60^li with an allowance upon every mony puncheon that he made; and this continued to M^r. Harris his Death.

That thereupon M^r. Croker, & the said Bull were sent for by Sir John Stanley & your Honour &c, who directed them to go on with the business promising at the same time to gett a new Patent, for M^r. Croker to be first Graver at 200^li per ann, & for the said Bull to be second Graver at 100^li. per ann. But unhappily at this juncture, one Mons^r. Le Clerc insinuating himself into favour, was appointed & paid as third Graver for about 7 years, 80^li per ann tho he did not act or work for the Mint during that whole time, whereas the said Bull in the same time gravd all the arms & yet received no more than 80^li per ann of the 100^li. which was offer'd to him at first by all the three principal Officers

That the said Bull since his Majesties accession has had more business than before, by the Augmentation in the Royal Arms, but without any consideration

That the said Bull paying Taxes, & having very little perquisites by medals, puncheons or otherwise, has less encouragement than at his first coming into the Mint, tho he has now spent about 26 years in the service (being the best part of his life) which with all submission cannot but be thought an extraordinary hardship and discouragment

That during his whole service this Memorialist never received any complaint against him, but on the contrary <166v> humbly hopes, that he has at all times acquitted himself in his Station, with skill, diligence & fidelity.

Therefore your Memorialist most humbly beseeches your Honour to whom his whole service & behaviour are well known, that you'd please to take his case into your serious & speedy consideration, that one, who modestly speaking might have gain'd a hansom Livelyhood in a private Capacity may not after an unblamable service of 26 years, hardly gett his Bread in the service of the Crown who is

Your Honours most Obedient & most humble servant

Sam: Bull

The 14th. September 1722