569377
To the RtRight HonbleHonourable the Lord High Treasurer
of England.
May it please yoryour LordpLordship
In purusance of yoryour LordpsLordships verbal Order for coyning
her MajtiesMajesties Gold wchwhich came from New England, the same has been
opened, weighed, melted into Ingots & coyned. It was full weight, but
the dust Gold was very foule & being examined with a Loadstone
was found full of iron filings, & therefore in the melting lost
something more then two pounds in weight, & remained very brittle.
The gross weight by the Envoys was 65Lwt. 10oz. 11dwt. 5gr. The standard
weight after melting & toughning was 65lwt. 10oz. 11dwt. 5gr, & being coyned
it made 2944 Guineas, & 22 grains over: wchwhich after the rate of
21s 6d the Guinea & 2d the grain, amounts to 3164li. 19s. 8d., as in the Weigher & Tellers Account annexed.
The charges of sending an Officer of the Mint to Portsmouth
& bringing the Gold from thence & melting the same into Ingots were 9li. 19s. 6d, as in the Bill annexed,
without allowing the Officer any thing for his trouble, who in
modesty would make no demand on that account. I humbly pray
yoryour LordpsLordships Warrant for paying the surplus into the Exchequer.
All which is most humbly submitted to yoryour LordpsLordships
great wisdome
Is. Newton
Mint Office.
4th March 170
In the Envoys the Gold is recconed at 5li 5s the ounce, supposing it perfectly fine, & counting a Crown piece at six shillings; wchwhich is the rate in the Plantations: & by this recconing they value the Gold is valued in yethe Envoys at 4137li. 15s. 9d. By abating one shilling in six & allowing for the wast in melting & toughning & for the want of perfect fineness, the value comes down to 3164li. 19s. 8d as above.