Spink
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"Our adversary Clark went on Saturday afternoon for London with a resolution to loade the Warden and myself, with all the Calumnys he can, you see what weapons they fight with, and stick at nothing to compass their ends...On Decemb. 15, Clark left us and went to London where he continued till the Latter end of Aprill during which time I am sure the King and Country were better served than before or since, as will appear by the Books of the Mint", , William III (1694-1702), Great Recoinage, His Majesty's Mint at Chester, 16 April 1698. An Important Official Mint Memorandum signed by Deputy Master of His Majesty's Mint at Chester, Thomas Clark, , , "Received then of Thomas Neale esqe. Master and Worker of his Ma=jestie's Mint the sum of one hundred fifty seven pounds ten shillings for [t]he quarter sallary due at Christmas last past to the Officer's and Clerk's of his Majestie's mint at Chester. Which sallarys I promise to discharge accordingly I say received by me. Tho Clar[k]"., , 106.5mm x 99.5mm., an irregularly cut and occasionally fraying autograph-note-signed on recycled Epping-letterhead stationery addressed to a Mr Doubleday, traces of collector mounts to reverse and more recent pencil annotations; otherwise an important piece of numismaticana, directly pertaining to the fractious provincial mint activities at Chester between Sir Isaac Newton, Edmond Halley and 'our adversary Clark' who conspired to have Halley removed from his post for theft before a Pyx Trial, and directly threatened the Warden of Chester Mint on 25 October 1696 with a sword! A fascinating and very rare Official Mint docket recording one of the final remuneration payments made to His Majesty's Mint Chester before its official closure after the Williamite Recoinage in June 1698.
HISTORIOGRAPHY:,
The mint at Chester was established by the reign of Edward the Elder at the outset of the 10th Century. It would remain entrusted for the production of the King's specie throughout Viking incursions, the Norman conquest and even the Great Recoinage of Edward Longshanks in 1279. With the expansion of domestic trade networks, it would not be until the internecine fractures of the English Civil War in the mid-17th Century that its services would be called upon again in support of the Royalist cause. With the inevitable transition of hand-made coinage to machine-pressed currency finally taking hold after the Restoration, Chester would enjoy its final numismatic commission in the recall and replacement of pre-Commonwealth specie overseen by Sir Isaac Newton in London, and Edmond Halley, the famous astronomer of Comet fame, as Deputy Comptroller locally from July 1696.
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The National Archives, the British Library and the Royal Society all hold important documents that record in minute detail the extent to which Chester assisted with the mass recall of old money and how its provincial location was used to allay concerns that the King and his government were simply changing the currency to fund the Army and Navy. From these archives we can reconstruct the following extraordinary account.
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Hopton Haynes (Lansdowne MS 801, ff. 94r-98v) noted that Chester was provided 88 pairs of dies for Halfcrowns; 157 obverse and 179 reverse dies for Shillings; and 73 obverse and 85 reverse dies for Sixpences for the task. Chester is documented as having accounted 80,966 oz, 18 dwts of clipped money and plate, from which £22,940.12.5 was struck. At Whitehall on 21 July 1696 [OS], the Lord Justices wrote to Colonel Roger Kirkby (1649-1709), Governor of His Majesty's City and Castle of Chester: "to permitt the setting up a Mint in such part of the Castle of Chester as shall be convenient for that purpose in order to the speedy recoining of the Clipt money." [MINT 19/2/277-8]. However the governance of provincial Mint sites would almost immediately lead to friction amongst senior management. On 28 November 1696, Edmond Halley, wrote to Newton:, , ,
Honoured Sir, I shall be very sorry if my care to answer in all points the Instructions given me as Dept Comptroller of this mint, should occasion me to incurr the displeasure of our superiours. I do not find in the Copy we have of the Indenture of the Mint, that it is prohibited to putt allay to scissell to reduce it to standard, and do think it necessary to do it when the barrs are found better. Yet I am given to understand I have erred in so doing, or which is equivalent in putting a Course Ingott into a pot scissell. Sir my particular instructions are to preserve an exact conformity in the finess and weight of all the Monies to the standard of England, nor does our Generall Instructions any where prohibit [w]hat we have done: besides I conceived it the Kings Interest not to make the mony too fine for more than one reason: And having observed by the reports of our Assay master often repeated, that the potts sett of exactly standard, proved in the pott and money assays alwais better, I concluded that the silver did refine in the first, and that the allay did really burn away to about the quantity of 14 dwt in each fusion: and to be sure of it, I caused an Ingott of about 1dwt worse to be melted down, with the same heat we usually gave our mettall when we cast barrs, and this without pouring it out we repeated three times, so that it was about 3 times as long as needed for casting, and at each hour I took an Assay piece, which our assay master found to grow better and better and the last best and very near standard: And the diminution of wt: was not much more than what was gained in finess; so that it seemed demonstration to me, that supposing the potts set off standard the barrs would be about 14 dwt better: and allowing accordingly we have found our money with all the curiosity I conceive the thing capable of, to answer to the standard of England: and so I doubt not but it will be found, when our money we have sent you up, comes to be assayed at the Tower, and our pix at the Exchequer: However being advertised that this is not the Tower practise I shall forbear it for the future, unless authorized by your approbation humbly begging your [approbati] opinion herin in a line or two by the first opportunity. I am Sir, Your most obedient servant, Edm. Halley [sic] (MM/5.40, Royal Society Library). Newton would further observe: "the Plate taken in at Chester last May proved generally about 5dwt or 6dwt \(per lwt)/ worse then standard (by reason of the soader) with a wast of about 5 ounces per Cwt or 1dwt per lwt." [MINT 19/1/10-11]. The official record of Chester Mint activities was set out thus:
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[MINT 19/1/310-11] - "In his Majts Mint at Chester:
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Due for the first melting of 6492lwt. 8oz. 2dwt of clipt monies imported before Nov. 4 1696 - £27. 1. 1,
Due for the first melting of 1970. 6. 19 of wrought Plate imported before Nov. 4 1696 - £1. 2. 3,
Due for the first melting of 7926. 6. 4 of Bullion imported before the beginning of last March - £33. 0. 6,
Due for reducing all the aforesaid silver to standard - £61. 3. 10,
The standard weight of ye said silver is 14531. 4. 4. 9 & that of the Kings silver 49|8|. 2. 11. 10 for the second melting of both there is due - £250. 9. 10,
And for the coynage thereof - £876. 14. 5,
Due to the Engineer for tools - £541. 14. 0,
Salaries for half a year to Midsummer - £315. 0. 0,
Total due: £2106. 5. 11"
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On 11 February 1696/97, Newton wrote again to Chester to instruct Halley: "Sr, This morning Collonel Blunt the Kings first Engineer was with me & acquainted me wth a designe ye King had to allow 10s per diem for two Masters to teach Engineering (I meane ye Mathematical grounds of it) two hours each day to those of ye Army who will come to hear them publickly, Engineers & Officers & others who shall have ye curiosity & capacity. I proposed you as a fit person for on to be one of ye two if you should think fit to accept of ye thing. By bringing you acquainted wth ye Officers & making you known to the King it may be a means of making way for something better. The Collonel will call on me 7 or 8 days hence for yor answer. I am, Yor faithfull friend to serve you, Is. Newton. I wrote to you ye last Post
for an Engineers place. I question whether you can have both." [sic] [MS Add. 9597/2/18/67]. Several weeks later, Newton would write to Robert Weddell, Warden of Chester Mint, introducing us to Mr Clark, who from the outset appeared to be at best a difficult colleague., ,
Sr, I understand that Mr Clark has order'd the Smiths fourge to be built under the Governours Lodgings wch must needs prove inconvenient & Offensive to him. Pray take care that it be remov'd from thence & built in some other more convenient place I am, Your loving Friend, Is Newton." [sic] [MINT 10/2/70v].
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At the pyx trial on 15 July 1697, Newton reported the following findings for the coinage of Chester:, ,
"To ye fire:,
15 halfe Crownes: 01: 17: 06 // oz dwt. gr.,
20 shillings: 01: 00: 00 // wey 11: 18: 00,
9 sixpences 00: 04: 06 // Waste 00: 01: 00,
Total: 03: 02: 00: // 11: 17: 00
In Tale l s d // lb oz dwt.
in halfe Crownes 86: 05: 00 // -
in shillings 13: 04: 00 // wey 31: 05: 04
in sixpences 01: 09: 06 // to the fire 00: 11: 18
Total: 100: 18: 06 // 32: 05: 02"
[MINT 19/1/240], ,
Shortly thereafter the animosity between Chester Mint employees and especially the divisions between Halley and Clark reached boiling point: , ,
"Chester, August 2° 1697 , Ever Honoured Sr, Our Adversary Clark went on Saturday afternoon for London with a resolution to loade the Warden and myself, with all the Calumnys he can: You see what weapons they fight with, and stick at nothing to compass their ends: he has taken Bowles along with him and Brown, who are I suppose to serve him on all occasions, as far as their oaths will go. If need be, I begg you would interpose your protection, till we can be informed of any sort of accusation, and that we may be heard {illeg}|be|fore we are in any case judged. I hope your potent friend Mr Montague will not forgett me if their should be occasion, but as I am conscious to my self of no transgression, so I doubt not but to acquirett myself of any imputation their malice can invent. Mr Clark being gone, we begin to pay again, there having been but 3 days intermission. I am, Honoured sr, Your most faithfull servt. Edm. Halley. [sic] [MM/5.42]
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The story continues: "Chester Aug 25° 1697, Thomas Molineux Esqr:
in White Lyon Courte, Cornhill, Honoured Sr, I was not a little surprized at the news your last brought, I can hardly belive Mr Mason will find any body but himself will undertake to say he was treated here by the Warden and myself like a Footman, I am sure we both went to meet him as far as Ruabon, which is 4 miles beyond Wrexham and good 15 measured miles from hence, and we treated him and Mr Hanmer and other he brought along with him to the expence of 3 Guineas, the night he came and the Warden gave him eight or ten bottles of Wine at another time in the Treary [?], and treated Mr Clark at my Lodgings as far as he would accept; and during his stay here I attended him with all the respect I know how to pay; but I found him very cold towards me, and wholly addicted to Mr Clark; and his chief business seemed to be to oblige the Warden, to restore Boules, and take of Lewis's suspension; in which case he offered his word, that no more should be said of the affidavit of undue preference, but if he refused, he was known to be a very good solicitor, and severall that stood in his way had felt the effects of it. The Warden however persisting that he would waite an answer from Mr Newton in Lewis's case, and that Boules's place being supplyed by another he could do nothing in that neither; Mr Mason went away from him dissatisfied, and the next day twas buzzed about in the mint that Treasonable practises would be swordn against the Warden, and accordingly that night Mr Hanmer got Alderman Lloydd to the Tavern, and there drew up the affidavit with his own hand as Mr Williams informs me there was no other occasion given for making this affidavit, than what I told you in my last, which the persons who signined|y [sic] the affidavit inclosed therin will testify upon oath if occasion require. I hope Mr Mason considers that words spoken on the 9th of February, ought not to be conceald till the 21th of Iuly, if they be dangerous to the Government; wherby this whole affaire will pass for the effect of Malice and asign in all unbiasd judges. And Williams told me that Hanmer had formed a designe to have gotten my place, if he could have trappt me saying or doing anything they could lay hold on, but by the advice of a friend that know them I scapt the snare, as I have formerly given you an exact account. I rejoyne that you are resolved not to leave the Town till the business be fully over, and if the Warden be heartily our friend I doubt not of the event. By Mondays post you shall be now of a copy of all the Accounts of our Mint except what Mr Clark has had, he being not yet come to Town. Mr Lewis has not yet delivered in any account in writing, but has now brought his Ballance to about 2.3.0li, tis easy to know the use he may have made in this long delay. But I shall take care that what he may have burrowed to make up his case shall not be repaid out of his subsequent case: for I have taken such care of a method for the payments now, that I can bring him to a ballance upon demand. I do not belive the Lords will thank Mr Neale for his thus stickling for Lewis when they know the whole story, nor that they will think him so necessary that the Mint cannot be without him. As to his being such a Gentleman I am fully informed his father was a shoemaker in Wrexham, and afterwards kept the poll house there, and some say he sold drink there, but that is no argument, the man is an ingenious man and well educated, and till Mr Clarke blew him up with promises and false insinuations, was very serviceable in the Mint though always leaning that way. But perhaps Mr Mason thinks all Watchmen, Gentlemen and we Saxons, Rogues, Villains &c. tis strange to think a man so nice as he in point of breeding, who could think a hard word from the first officer in the Mint to the last Clerk should require a standish or more, should be guilty of such Language against persons who never injured him, and as to all the Mints being said to be against us, I am sure both the Assaymaster and Moneyer and all the Moneyers people are not of that number, and if the Master and melter have a turn to serve and buy the Clerks to their Interest, why those should be said to be all the Mint, he best knows. Tis true the Warden was a Meniall servant of my Lord Godolphin some years since, and in requitall of his good services my Lord preferred him to this post here, but he was far above a footman, and his education shews him to have been always in better circumstances than so, and it may be well supposed that my Lord would not have thus preferred him, but that he know his merit, he has been all along very respectfull to me and I to him, and wee look upon our selves as joyned in Office to see the Kings business well and faithfully performed. And the exact care we have taken has occasioned all those fonds, of which this is a summary account. We were in a manner all strangers when we mett here at first, and Mr Clark contending that Boules and Lewis ought to have the money delivered them by weight only, that they might report the tale as they pleased, the warden and I opposed it; and on consult above, it was determined that the money should be deliverd to them, as the Importers {Agouts}, by Tale as well as wt. this occasiond the first quarrell, and Clark pretending to take offence at something that nobody else observed in the Company, went and borrowed Boules his sword to waylay the Warden as he went home, but this wee lookt upon as a scarecoew, because he might have met him if he pleased: this was Octob. 25°. On Novemb 19 following he being displeased at the telling of the money, a trick was put upon the Warden by taking money out of 6 Iourneys, two shillings or half a Crown out of each, at the time pixing them, as I verily belive; and because the Warden assisted the Weigher and teller in telling them he pretended that one of them too, should loose their places for stealing that money, sufficiently indicating that he meant the Warden, who as it hapned, did touch but 3 of those Iourneys, and Brown "Clarks creature" baggd them all: and it was observable, these were the very first Iourneys that were reweightd after telling: this Villanous practise gave me an aversion to those that were capable of it, and shewd the necessity of standing form to oppose them or else to if I would not, quit my post. On Decemb. 15, Clark left us and went to London where he continued till the Latter end of Aprill during which time I am sure the King and Country were better served than before or since, as will appear by the Books of the Mint. When he came back again, he pretended to challenge the Warden, came before the Hour with his Man and Horses contrary to agreement as the Warden said and stand not after it, by which means they fought not, and I remonstrating the folly of such decisions to both partys, that went no further. With his return the money received, and the pot and Money assay proved worse then ever, which being represented to you and the Warden, Robinson makes his affidavit of undue preference, which being thought impertinent, Hanmer sweres Treason to as little purpose. Those are violent attaques upon an innocent man, and may provoke to some indiscretions those that are matters of more temper then either he or I. I cannot transcribe this long story so entreat your pardon for the blotts therof. Alban Greys note for the 15li was paid by Lewis on the 6th of March, when I was at London, and is made payable to him; I know the Warden was willing to oblige him, and might desire Lewis to let him have the money. that is all I know of the matter, save that Gray was solliciting for it before I went out of Chester; if this small summ sticks as I find it does, I hope that a crime in one Man will be no virtue in another. The Inclosed letters are true coppies of what past between us on the Locking up the Treary, which was the 29th of Iuly, we attended the next morning expecting to hear from Mr Clark in order to a ply but not seing him, we sent him the letter we signed which was left at his lodgings by 11 in the morning, and instead of answering it as we expected between 2 and 3 he procured himself to be arrested by a great friend of Robinsons, whereupon wee had the Officer and his prisoner and the plaintiff before the Mayor, where the Officer declared he did it by consent of all parties, and that no action was enterd, and they were all ashamed aft; the next day about 11 he sent the answer directly contradicting all we said as to the accounts, and taking no notice of the demand of a closet to lock the money up in, which he maintained should only lie in baggs about the treary floor, from whenev if a bagg were conveyed he would expect us to make it good. Neither did he ever order or Williams ever offer, to give Morley the ticketts to enter them, and as to the Wardens telling Mr Clark he had nothing to do in the Treary, I was by, and heard no such thing, I will make oath if need be, and those that pretend he said so, add that he said will it, till such time as you account for what you have already had. for twas unremarkeable Lewis did not go about to make up his account till after this time. Mr Lewis Iust now tendered me an account ballanced desiring me to sign it; I have all the particulars by me, but cannot get it ready for this post; I hope Monday will be time enough, when I shall give you a particular {setedute} of his bills. Pray excuse any defect in this tedious scrall from the hast I am in, my last came too late for the post, and cost me a messenger on purpose. I am. Honoured sr, Your most obedient servt, Edm. Halley." [sic] [MM/5.46]
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This extraordinary dispute that saw Clark attempting to remove Halley from his post by falsifying an scenario of larceny and allegations of treason before separately confronting the Warden of the Mint, Robert Weddell with a sword upon his return home from work is probably one of the most extraordinary if little told stories of the Williamite Great Recoinage. With suggestions of discourtesy, malice and petty office politics at play, the subsequent memoranda are particularly telling, and may give clues to as to scarcely-believable contempt supposed colleagues had for one another during day to operations at the Mint of Chester:, ,
"November 1697, To the Warden, Master Worker & Comptrollr of the Mint at Chester, Gentlemen, Wee do hereby require & charge you that you forbear those animositys that are between you & do not suffer them to interrupt the regular & orderly proceedings att the Mint according to ye Due Course thereof & particularly yt you ye Master & worker Mr Clarke & his assistant Lewis do produce & show their accounts to you ye Warden & Controllr or either of them as often as they shall require & do suffer them to inspect or have duplicates of them from time to time as they require for keeping them right and satisfying themselves & us about them whensoever we shall desire it & yt all ye sallerys wch are payable by The Warden by the Indenture of the Mint be paid by Mr Clarke to Mr Weddell yr warden for ye Vse of the severall Officers & Clarks by & with his directions to ye officers themselves and not otherwise the Indenture requiring it so, & but for saveing trouble itt should have been so all along, we also direct that Mr Lewis be paid his sallary as Comptrollr Clerke for such part of yr last quarter as he did ye Business off ye Comptrollr Clerke & ye sallary no longer (his sallary since depending only on ye Master Worker & that Mr Greenhill be paid the Intire sallary of Comptrollr Clarke for so long as he hath or shall do ye whole business of ye Comptrollers Clerk & wee are not of opinion that any new Clerk be imposed on the Comtrrs Office without further directions from hence these things we stricktly require of you as you will answer itt at yor Perrill & remaine yor Loving friends, Is Newton and Tho Neale [sic] [MINT 10/2/63v = MINT01239], ,
Surprisingly it was Halley who cracked first, penning the following lament on 30 December 1697: "Honoured Sr, The parliament having this day voted the Continuance of all the Country Mints, I should be very unwilling to leave Lewis and Clark to enterprett my resignation to be any other than a voluntary cession, as they will most certainly do, unless I prosecute, as I have already begun, the undue preferences by them made. Abbom Grays affaire I value not, as being what I hope may be justifiable on many accounts, should the Lords belive me consenting to it, but the Mint at Chester I assure you cannot subsist as is ought, whilst Lewis governs Clark as he does, and Mr Neale supports both. Wherfore I begg that Lewis may appear face to face with me, before the Lords, there to answer to his throwing the standish at Mr Weddell, the giving the undue preference to Pulford, and some other accusations of that nature I am prepared to lay before their Lopps. I came to town purposely to charge that proud insolent fellow, whom I humbly begg you to belive the principall Author of all the disturbance we have had at our Mint, whom if you please to seen removed, all will be easie: and on that condition I am content to submitt to all you shall prescribe me. Nevertheless, as I have often wrote you, I would urge you to nothing, but what your great prudence shall think proper, since it is to your particular favour I owe this post which it is my chiefest abition {sic} to maintain worthily: and next to that to approve my self in all things Your most faithfull & Obedient Servt, Edm. Halley." [sic] [[MM/5.43], ,
"There haveing been Complaint Made to the Right Honourable the Lords of the Treasury that divers quarrells have arisen between severall of the Officers of the Mint at Chester & that Respect due to the chief Officers there has not as it ought to been shewd by the Clerks and under Officers there and it being the Custome of the Mint at London that no Vnder clerk or servant should wear either Hatt or sword in the Mint Office These are to direct & require the Clerks and under servants at the Mint at Chester to give due attendance and respect to the Head officers and conforme their behaviour to the Custome of the London Mint as aforesaid as so directed this 3d of February 1697/98 [OS]" [MINT 10/2/70r]
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On 5 February 1697/98 [OS], Thomas Robinson wrote to Isaac Newton: "Honrd Sr., I am sorry so short a time should afford an occation of complaint agst Mr Weddall, it is what could Scarcely be expected, from any man but him. He hath writt a most impertinent Reflecting Letter to Mr Fosbrooke our Surveyor, telling him that he and his man Robinson were coming down; I think Sr. I ought not to Suffer Such base reflexions from one that hath all along endeavourd my ruin yw were pleas'd to tell me, that yw would undertake he should not any more disturb or abuse me, but by this Letter meniond I find the same turbulent Spiritt, so that I fear our animosity will not be abated wch is no Small trouble to me, who I can say was never accounted a fomentor of differences; how ever I am under no obligacon to Lye under the Lash of his tongue, & tho for peace sake I was willing to forgett former injurys, yett I am not to be Hectord' over att pleasure by one Laying aside his deputacon who without vanity is no way my Superior Sr. I heartily ask ye pardon for this trouble wishing I may not be compelld' by ye Deputys behaviour take an effectuall remedy to make him quiett, bridle his pen & tongue; Sr. I am Still opposd' our Monyers Agent here in makeing use of this place for erecting my furnace, wch yw were all pleasd to allow me to have, there being no other convenient place for that purpose; the bellowes procur'd to sett up there the Gentleman cannot Spare, & if he taks them away as he says he'll cannot make up my Sweep; so that I beg a order for the Same that no further obstructon be given to the business of the Mint, butt wthout disturbance goe on & hope to." [sic] [MS Add. 3964.2, f. 19v].
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On 16 April 1698, at least two Mint memoranda would be penned, one to the Governor of Chester Castle (ML/4/547 = MINT01778) and the present docket. Interestingly only three days after this instruction for the fiery Mr Clark to pay the mint workers their dues to December 1697, Newton sent the following order:
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"Gentmen, Wee being very well assur'd yt you must have a considerable Number of dies in yr. custody, wch: are to worn or crackd as to be altogether unfitt for any longer usage in coining ye monys: & it being our design to cause all such dies both heads & Arms, to be defac'd & broken here in ye presence of us ye Warden Master et cæta. as ought to be, & usually is done in the like case. Wee direct You therefore yt you cause all such dies as are useless, both heads & Arms of 12 Crowns; shills & six pences to be carefully Numbred each sort distinctly & put up securely in a strong box, in ye presence of you the Depty Warden, Master Wkr: & Comptroller, & ye surveyor of ye Meltings, & ye Assistant Graver of yor Mint: & then you are to direct & send ye said box by the Waggon first opportunity you shall have of conveying it hither ye Waggon wch ye Kings Mony for taxes, when any such Monys are sent to Town under a Guard: takeing ye Receivers or Waggoners Receipt for ye safe delivery of ye said Box to ye Porter of the Mint in ye Tower, & enclosing yt receipt in yor Lettr: to Vs, to be deliver'd back when ye box is received here. In which Lettr Wee exspect you give use a distinckt accot: of ye whole Number of heads & Arms of ye 12 Crowns shillings & six pences You send in the box: And ye exact Accot: or Number of each sort that shall remaine wth you." [sic] [MINT 10/2/74r]., ,
In June 1698, a final order was give for the closure of the Mint: "To the Warden Master Worker & Comptrollr. of the Mint at Chester. Gentlemen, Seeing by all the Accts. we have from yor. Mint that you have Coyn'd up all you coul'd of the severall Importacons you have had since the Last act of Parliamt. & considering that what remaines unpd in your Mint must be made good out of the severall sumes the Parliamt. hath voted for the discharge of your Debts, wch. will be given us out of some supply that shall be granted to the King before the House doeth rise. This is therefoer to require, direct & order you to take upp all yor. Tooles, Engines, & Vtensills, & pack them Vpp assoone as you can, & by the next and opportunity you have to send them by sea, directed to us at the Mint in the Tower; The Monyrs. knowing best what is fitt to be sent upp, have already reced Order's from their Provost here, to secure all their Tooles, of wch. yu must be sure to take an Acct. & transmitt it to us assoone as they are shipp'd off. The old Iron unfitt for use you may dispose of there & likewise the Wood of yor. presses & Mills, & give us the creditt for the same in yor. Bookes. In mentoing the Tooles above, Wee meane {n}ott only what the Monyrs. have in their hands, but likewise what the Melter & Assay Master have, & generally all that has been sent from hence, & what the King has paid for. Yor Bookes, Pix Box's {a}nd dyes both good & badd, you may Naile upp in \a/ box by them selves {&} sent them upp by the Carryer's Remember to take Bills of Loading for {w}hat comes by sea, & agree for the Freight if you can conveniently {do}e itt, this we expect a Speedy complyance with, & soe remaine Yor. Loving Freinds, Is: Newton; Tho: Neale" [sic] [MINT 10/2/78r], ,
Given the extraordinary distrust of Thomas Clark, particularly in the handling of official moneys and unexplained absences, the loaded nature behind the promissory statement of 'discharging Mint salaries' becomes especially profound, even if Clark mysteriously retained the favour of Thomas Neale.
Estimate: £400 - £600
HISTORIOGRAPHY:,
The mint at Chester was established by the reign of Edward the Elder at the outset of the 10th Century. It would remain entrusted for the production of the King's specie throughout Viking incursions, the Norman conquest and even the Great Recoinage of Edward Longshanks in 1279. With the expansion of domestic trade networks, it would not be until the internecine fractures of the English Civil War in the mid-17th Century that its services would be called upon again in support of the Royalist cause. With the inevitable transition of hand-made coinage to machine-pressed currency finally taking hold after the Restoration, Chester would enjoy its final numismatic commission in the recall and replacement of pre-Commonwealth specie overseen by Sir Isaac Newton in London, and Edmond Halley, the famous astronomer of Comet fame, as Deputy Comptroller locally from July 1696.
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The National Archives, the British Library and the Royal Society all hold important documents that record in minute detail the extent to which Chester assisted with the mass recall of old money and how its provincial location was used to allay concerns that the King and his government were simply changing the currency to fund the Army and Navy. From these archives we can reconstruct the following extraordinary account.
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Hopton Haynes (Lansdowne MS 801, ff. 94r-98v) noted that Chester was provided 88 pairs of dies for Halfcrowns; 157 obverse and 179 reverse dies for Shillings; and 73 obverse and 85 reverse dies for Sixpences for the task. Chester is documented as having accounted 80,966 oz, 18 dwts of clipped money and plate, from which £22,940.12.5 was struck. At Whitehall on 21 July 1696 [OS], the Lord Justices wrote to Colonel Roger Kirkby (1649-1709), Governor of His Majesty's City and Castle of Chester: "to permitt the setting up a Mint in such part of the Castle of Chester as shall be convenient for that purpose in order to the speedy recoining of the Clipt money." [MINT 19/2/277-8]. However the governance of provincial Mint sites would almost immediately lead to friction amongst senior management. On 28 November 1696, Edmond Halley, wrote to Newton:, , ,
Honoured Sir, I shall be very sorry if my care to answer in all points the Instructions given me as Dept Comptroller of this mint, should occasion me to incurr the displeasure of our superiours. I do not find in the Copy we have of the Indenture of the Mint, that it is prohibited to putt allay to scissell to reduce it to standard, and do think it necessary to do it when the barrs are found better. Yet I am given to understand I have erred in so doing, or which is equivalent in putting a Course Ingott into a pot scissell. Sir my particular instructions are to preserve an exact conformity in the finess and weight of all the Monies to the standard of England, nor does our Generall Instructions any where prohibit [w]hat we have done: besides I conceived it the Kings Interest not to make the mony too fine for more than one reason: And having observed by the reports of our Assay master often repeated, that the potts sett of exactly standard, proved in the pott and money assays alwais better, I concluded that the silver did refine in the first, and that the allay did really burn away to about the quantity of 14 dwt in each fusion: and to be sure of it, I caused an Ingott of about 1dwt worse to be melted down, with the same heat we usually gave our mettall when we cast barrs, and this without pouring it out we repeated three times, so that it was about 3 times as long as needed for casting, and at each hour I took an Assay piece, which our assay master found to grow better and better and the last best and very near standard: And the diminution of wt: was not much more than what was gained in finess; so that it seemed demonstration to me, that supposing the potts set off standard the barrs would be about 14 dwt better: and allowing accordingly we have found our money with all the curiosity I conceive the thing capable of, to answer to the standard of England: and so I doubt not but it will be found, when our money we have sent you up, comes to be assayed at the Tower, and our pix at the Exchequer: However being advertised that this is not the Tower practise I shall forbear it for the future, unless authorized by your approbation humbly begging your [approbati] opinion herin in a line or two by the first opportunity. I am Sir, Your most obedient servant, Edm. Halley [sic] (MM/5.40, Royal Society Library). Newton would further observe: "the Plate taken in at Chester last May proved generally about 5dwt or 6dwt \(per lwt)/ worse then standard (by reason of the soader) with a wast of about 5 ounces per Cwt or 1dwt per lwt." [MINT 19/1/10-11]. The official record of Chester Mint activities was set out thus:
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[MINT 19/1/310-11] - "In his Majts Mint at Chester:
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Due for the first melting of 6492lwt. 8oz. 2dwt of clipt monies imported before Nov. 4 1696 - £27. 1. 1,
Due for the first melting of 1970. 6. 19 of wrought Plate imported before Nov. 4 1696 - £1. 2. 3,
Due for the first melting of 7926. 6. 4 of Bullion imported before the beginning of last March - £33. 0. 6,
Due for reducing all the aforesaid silver to standard - £61. 3. 10,
The standard weight of ye said silver is 14531. 4. 4. 9 & that of the Kings silver 49|8|. 2. 11. 10 for the second melting of both there is due - £250. 9. 10,
And for the coynage thereof - £876. 14. 5,
Due to the Engineer for tools - £541. 14. 0,
Salaries for half a year to Midsummer - £315. 0. 0,
Total due: £2106. 5. 11"
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On 11 February 1696/97, Newton wrote again to Chester to instruct Halley: "Sr, This morning Collonel Blunt the Kings first Engineer was with me & acquainted me wth a designe ye King had to allow 10s per diem for two Masters to teach Engineering (I meane ye Mathematical grounds of it) two hours each day to those of ye Army who will come to hear them publickly, Engineers & Officers & others who shall have ye curiosity & capacity. I proposed you as a fit person for on to be one of ye two if you should think fit to accept of ye thing. By bringing you acquainted wth ye Officers & making you known to the King it may be a means of making way for something better. The Collonel will call on me 7 or 8 days hence for yor answer. I am, Yor faithfull friend to serve you, Is. Newton. I wrote to you ye last Post
for an Engineers place. I question whether you can have both." [sic] [MS Add. 9597/2/18/67]. Several weeks later, Newton would write to Robert Weddell, Warden of Chester Mint, introducing us to Mr Clark, who from the outset appeared to be at best a difficult colleague., ,
Sr, I understand that Mr Clark has order'd the Smiths fourge to be built under the Governours Lodgings wch must needs prove inconvenient & Offensive to him. Pray take care that it be remov'd from thence & built in some other more convenient place I am, Your loving Friend, Is Newton." [sic] [MINT 10/2/70v].
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At the pyx trial on 15 July 1697, Newton reported the following findings for the coinage of Chester:, ,
"To ye fire:,
15 halfe Crownes: 01: 17: 06 // oz dwt. gr.,
20 shillings: 01: 00: 00 // wey 11: 18: 00,
9 sixpences 00: 04: 06 // Waste 00: 01: 00,
Total: 03: 02: 00: // 11: 17: 00
In Tale l s d // lb oz dwt.
in halfe Crownes 86: 05: 00 // -
in shillings 13: 04: 00 // wey 31: 05: 04
in sixpences 01: 09: 06 // to the fire 00: 11: 18
Total: 100: 18: 06 // 32: 05: 02"
[MINT 19/1/240], ,
Shortly thereafter the animosity between Chester Mint employees and especially the divisions between Halley and Clark reached boiling point: , ,
"Chester, August 2° 1697 , Ever Honoured Sr, Our Adversary Clark went on Saturday afternoon for London with a resolution to loade the Warden and myself, with all the Calumnys he can: You see what weapons they fight with, and stick at nothing to compass their ends: he has taken Bowles along with him and Brown, who are I suppose to serve him on all occasions, as far as their oaths will go. If need be, I begg you would interpose your protection, till we can be informed of any sort of accusation, and that we may be heard {illeg}|be|fore we are in any case judged. I hope your potent friend Mr Montague will not forgett me if their should be occasion, but as I am conscious to my self of no transgression, so I doubt not but to acquirett myself of any imputation their malice can invent. Mr Clark being gone, we begin to pay again, there having been but 3 days intermission. I am, Honoured sr, Your most faithfull servt. Edm. Halley. [sic] [MM/5.42]
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The story continues: "Chester Aug 25° 1697, Thomas Molineux Esqr:
in White Lyon Courte, Cornhill, Honoured Sr, I was not a little surprized at the news your last brought, I can hardly belive Mr Mason will find any body but himself will undertake to say he was treated here by the Warden and myself like a Footman, I am sure we both went to meet him as far as Ruabon, which is 4 miles beyond Wrexham and good 15 measured miles from hence, and we treated him and Mr Hanmer and other he brought along with him to the expence of 3 Guineas, the night he came and the Warden gave him eight or ten bottles of Wine at another time in the Treary [?], and treated Mr Clark at my Lodgings as far as he would accept; and during his stay here I attended him with all the respect I know how to pay; but I found him very cold towards me, and wholly addicted to Mr Clark; and his chief business seemed to be to oblige the Warden, to restore Boules, and take of Lewis's suspension; in which case he offered his word, that no more should be said of the affidavit of undue preference, but if he refused, he was known to be a very good solicitor, and severall that stood in his way had felt the effects of it. The Warden however persisting that he would waite an answer from Mr Newton in Lewis's case, and that Boules's place being supplyed by another he could do nothing in that neither; Mr Mason went away from him dissatisfied, and the next day twas buzzed about in the mint that Treasonable practises would be swordn against the Warden, and accordingly that night Mr Hanmer got Alderman Lloydd to the Tavern, and there drew up the affidavit with his own hand as Mr Williams informs me there was no other occasion given for making this affidavit, than what I told you in my last, which the persons who signined|y [sic] the affidavit inclosed therin will testify upon oath if occasion require. I hope Mr Mason considers that words spoken on the 9th of February, ought not to be conceald till the 21th of Iuly, if they be dangerous to the Government; wherby this whole affaire will pass for the effect of Malice and asign in all unbiasd judges. And Williams told me that Hanmer had formed a designe to have gotten my place, if he could have trappt me saying or doing anything they could lay hold on, but by the advice of a friend that know them I scapt the snare, as I have formerly given you an exact account. I rejoyne that you are resolved not to leave the Town till the business be fully over, and if the Warden be heartily our friend I doubt not of the event. By Mondays post you shall be now of a copy of all the Accounts of our Mint except what Mr Clark has had, he being not yet come to Town. Mr Lewis has not yet delivered in any account in writing, but has now brought his Ballance to about 2.3.0li, tis easy to know the use he may have made in this long delay. But I shall take care that what he may have burrowed to make up his case shall not be repaid out of his subsequent case: for I have taken such care of a method for the payments now, that I can bring him to a ballance upon demand. I do not belive the Lords will thank Mr Neale for his thus stickling for Lewis when they know the whole story, nor that they will think him so necessary that the Mint cannot be without him. As to his being such a Gentleman I am fully informed his father was a shoemaker in Wrexham, and afterwards kept the poll house there, and some say he sold drink there, but that is no argument, the man is an ingenious man and well educated, and till Mr Clarke blew him up with promises and false insinuations, was very serviceable in the Mint though always leaning that way. But perhaps Mr Mason thinks all Watchmen, Gentlemen and we Saxons, Rogues, Villains &c. tis strange to think a man so nice as he in point of breeding, who could think a hard word from the first officer in the Mint to the last Clerk should require a standish or more, should be guilty of such Language against persons who never injured him, and as to all the Mints being said to be against us, I am sure both the Assaymaster and Moneyer and all the Moneyers people are not of that number, and if the Master and melter have a turn to serve and buy the Clerks to their Interest, why those should be said to be all the Mint, he best knows. Tis true the Warden was a Meniall servant of my Lord Godolphin some years since, and in requitall of his good services my Lord preferred him to this post here, but he was far above a footman, and his education shews him to have been always in better circumstances than so, and it may be well supposed that my Lord would not have thus preferred him, but that he know his merit, he has been all along very respectfull to me and I to him, and wee look upon our selves as joyned in Office to see the Kings business well and faithfully performed. And the exact care we have taken has occasioned all those fonds, of which this is a summary account. We were in a manner all strangers when we mett here at first, and Mr Clark contending that Boules and Lewis ought to have the money delivered them by weight only, that they might report the tale as they pleased, the warden and I opposed it; and on consult above, it was determined that the money should be deliverd to them, as the Importers {Agouts}, by Tale as well as wt. this occasiond the first quarrell, and Clark pretending to take offence at something that nobody else observed in the Company, went and borrowed Boules his sword to waylay the Warden as he went home, but this wee lookt upon as a scarecoew, because he might have met him if he pleased: this was Octob. 25°. On Novemb 19 following he being displeased at the telling of the money, a trick was put upon the Warden by taking money out of 6 Iourneys, two shillings or half a Crown out of each, at the time pixing them, as I verily belive; and because the Warden assisted the Weigher and teller in telling them he pretended that one of them too, should loose their places for stealing that money, sufficiently indicating that he meant the Warden, who as it hapned, did touch but 3 of those Iourneys, and Brown "Clarks creature" baggd them all: and it was observable, these were the very first Iourneys that were reweightd after telling: this Villanous practise gave me an aversion to those that were capable of it, and shewd the necessity of standing form to oppose them or else to if I would not, quit my post. On Decemb. 15, Clark left us and went to London where he continued till the Latter end of Aprill during which time I am sure the King and Country were better served than before or since, as will appear by the Books of the Mint. When he came back again, he pretended to challenge the Warden, came before the Hour with his Man and Horses contrary to agreement as the Warden said and stand not after it, by which means they fought not, and I remonstrating the folly of such decisions to both partys, that went no further. With his return the money received, and the pot and Money assay proved worse then ever, which being represented to you and the Warden, Robinson makes his affidavit of undue preference, which being thought impertinent, Hanmer sweres Treason to as little purpose. Those are violent attaques upon an innocent man, and may provoke to some indiscretions those that are matters of more temper then either he or I. I cannot transcribe this long story so entreat your pardon for the blotts therof. Alban Greys note for the 15li was paid by Lewis on the 6th of March, when I was at London, and is made payable to him; I know the Warden was willing to oblige him, and might desire Lewis to let him have the money. that is all I know of the matter, save that Gray was solliciting for it before I went out of Chester; if this small summ sticks as I find it does, I hope that a crime in one Man will be no virtue in another. The Inclosed letters are true coppies of what past between us on the Locking up the Treary, which was the 29th of Iuly, we attended the next morning expecting to hear from Mr Clark in order to a ply but not seing him, we sent him the letter we signed which was left at his lodgings by 11 in the morning, and instead of answering it as we expected between 2 and 3 he procured himself to be arrested by a great friend of Robinsons, whereupon wee had the Officer and his prisoner and the plaintiff before the Mayor, where the Officer declared he did it by consent of all parties, and that no action was enterd, and they were all ashamed aft; the next day about 11 he sent the answer directly contradicting all we said as to the accounts, and taking no notice of the demand of a closet to lock the money up in, which he maintained should only lie in baggs about the treary floor, from whenev if a bagg were conveyed he would expect us to make it good. Neither did he ever order or Williams ever offer, to give Morley the ticketts to enter them, and as to the Wardens telling Mr Clark he had nothing to do in the Treary, I was by, and heard no such thing, I will make oath if need be, and those that pretend he said so, add that he said will it, till such time as you account for what you have already had. for twas unremarkeable Lewis did not go about to make up his account till after this time. Mr Lewis Iust now tendered me an account ballanced desiring me to sign it; I have all the particulars by me, but cannot get it ready for this post; I hope Monday will be time enough, when I shall give you a particular {setedute} of his bills. Pray excuse any defect in this tedious scrall from the hast I am in, my last came too late for the post, and cost me a messenger on purpose. I am. Honoured sr, Your most obedient servt, Edm. Halley." [sic] [MM/5.46]
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This extraordinary dispute that saw Clark attempting to remove Halley from his post by falsifying an scenario of larceny and allegations of treason before separately confronting the Warden of the Mint, Robert Weddell with a sword upon his return home from work is probably one of the most extraordinary if little told stories of the Williamite Great Recoinage. With suggestions of discourtesy, malice and petty office politics at play, the subsequent memoranda are particularly telling, and may give clues to as to scarcely-believable contempt supposed colleagues had for one another during day to operations at the Mint of Chester:, ,
"November 1697, To the Warden, Master Worker & Comptrollr of the Mint at Chester, Gentlemen, Wee do hereby require & charge you that you forbear those animositys that are between you & do not suffer them to interrupt the regular & orderly proceedings att the Mint according to ye Due Course thereof & particularly yt you ye Master & worker Mr Clarke & his assistant Lewis do produce & show their accounts to you ye Warden & Controllr or either of them as often as they shall require & do suffer them to inspect or have duplicates of them from time to time as they require for keeping them right and satisfying themselves & us about them whensoever we shall desire it & yt all ye sallerys wch are payable by The Warden by the Indenture of the Mint be paid by Mr Clarke to Mr Weddell yr warden for ye Vse of the severall Officers & Clarks by & with his directions to ye officers themselves and not otherwise the Indenture requiring it so, & but for saveing trouble itt should have been so all along, we also direct that Mr Lewis be paid his sallary as Comptrollr Clerke for such part of yr last quarter as he did ye Business off ye Comptrollr Clerke & ye sallary no longer (his sallary since depending only on ye Master Worker & that Mr Greenhill be paid the Intire sallary of Comptrollr Clarke for so long as he hath or shall do ye whole business of ye Comptrollers Clerk & wee are not of opinion that any new Clerk be imposed on the Comtrrs Office without further directions from hence these things we stricktly require of you as you will answer itt at yor Perrill & remaine yor Loving friends, Is Newton and Tho Neale [sic] [MINT 10/2/63v = MINT01239], ,
Surprisingly it was Halley who cracked first, penning the following lament on 30 December 1697: "Honoured Sr, The parliament having this day voted the Continuance of all the Country Mints, I should be very unwilling to leave Lewis and Clark to enterprett my resignation to be any other than a voluntary cession, as they will most certainly do, unless I prosecute, as I have already begun, the undue preferences by them made. Abbom Grays affaire I value not, as being what I hope may be justifiable on many accounts, should the Lords belive me consenting to it, but the Mint at Chester I assure you cannot subsist as is ought, whilst Lewis governs Clark as he does, and Mr Neale supports both. Wherfore I begg that Lewis may appear face to face with me, before the Lords, there to answer to his throwing the standish at Mr Weddell, the giving the undue preference to Pulford, and some other accusations of that nature I am prepared to lay before their Lopps. I came to town purposely to charge that proud insolent fellow, whom I humbly begg you to belive the principall Author of all the disturbance we have had at our Mint, whom if you please to seen removed, all will be easie: and on that condition I am content to submitt to all you shall prescribe me. Nevertheless, as I have often wrote you, I would urge you to nothing, but what your great prudence shall think proper, since it is to your particular favour I owe this post which it is my chiefest abition {sic} to maintain worthily: and next to that to approve my self in all things Your most faithfull & Obedient Servt, Edm. Halley." [sic] [[MM/5.43], ,
"There haveing been Complaint Made to the Right Honourable the Lords of the Treasury that divers quarrells have arisen between severall of the Officers of the Mint at Chester & that Respect due to the chief Officers there has not as it ought to been shewd by the Clerks and under Officers there and it being the Custome of the Mint at London that no Vnder clerk or servant should wear either Hatt or sword in the Mint Office These are to direct & require the Clerks and under servants at the Mint at Chester to give due attendance and respect to the Head officers and conforme their behaviour to the Custome of the London Mint as aforesaid as so directed this 3d of February 1697/98 [OS]" [MINT 10/2/70r]
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On 5 February 1697/98 [OS], Thomas Robinson wrote to Isaac Newton: "Honrd Sr., I am sorry so short a time should afford an occation of complaint agst Mr Weddall, it is what could Scarcely be expected, from any man but him. He hath writt a most impertinent Reflecting Letter to Mr Fosbrooke our Surveyor, telling him that he and his man Robinson were coming down; I think Sr. I ought not to Suffer Such base reflexions from one that hath all along endeavourd my ruin yw were pleas'd to tell me, that yw would undertake he should not any more disturb or abuse me, but by this Letter meniond I find the same turbulent Spiritt, so that I fear our animosity will not be abated wch is no Small trouble to me, who I can say was never accounted a fomentor of differences; how ever I am under no obligacon to Lye under the Lash of his tongue, & tho for peace sake I was willing to forgett former injurys, yett I am not to be Hectord' over att pleasure by one Laying aside his deputacon who without vanity is no way my Superior Sr. I heartily ask ye pardon for this trouble wishing I may not be compelld' by ye Deputys behaviour take an effectuall remedy to make him quiett, bridle his pen & tongue; Sr. I am Still opposd' our Monyers Agent here in makeing use of this place for erecting my furnace, wch yw were all pleasd to allow me to have, there being no other convenient place for that purpose; the bellowes procur'd to sett up there the Gentleman cannot Spare, & if he taks them away as he says he'll cannot make up my Sweep; so that I beg a order for the Same that no further obstructon be given to the business of the Mint, butt wthout disturbance goe on & hope to." [sic] [MS Add. 3964.2, f. 19v].
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On 16 April 1698, at least two Mint memoranda would be penned, one to the Governor of Chester Castle (ML/4/547 = MINT01778) and the present docket. Interestingly only three days after this instruction for the fiery Mr Clark to pay the mint workers their dues to December 1697, Newton sent the following order:
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"Gentmen, Wee being very well assur'd yt you must have a considerable Number of dies in yr. custody, wch: are to worn or crackd as to be altogether unfitt for any longer usage in coining ye monys: & it being our design to cause all such dies both heads & Arms, to be defac'd & broken here in ye presence of us ye Warden Master et cæta. as ought to be, & usually is done in the like case. Wee direct You therefore yt you cause all such dies as are useless, both heads & Arms of 12 Crowns; shills & six pences to be carefully Numbred each sort distinctly & put up securely in a strong box, in ye presence of you the Depty Warden, Master Wkr: & Comptroller, & ye surveyor of ye Meltings, & ye Assistant Graver of yor Mint: & then you are to direct & send ye said box by the Waggon first opportunity you shall have of conveying it hither ye Waggon wch ye Kings Mony for taxes, when any such Monys are sent to Town under a Guard: takeing ye Receivers or Waggoners Receipt for ye safe delivery of ye said Box to ye Porter of the Mint in ye Tower, & enclosing yt receipt in yor Lettr: to Vs, to be deliver'd back when ye box is received here. In which Lettr Wee exspect you give use a distinckt accot: of ye whole Number of heads & Arms of ye 12 Crowns shillings & six pences You send in the box: And ye exact Accot: or Number of each sort that shall remaine wth you." [sic] [MINT 10/2/74r]., ,
In June 1698, a final order was give for the closure of the Mint: "To the Warden Master Worker & Comptrollr. of the Mint at Chester. Gentlemen, Seeing by all the Accts. we have from yor. Mint that you have Coyn'd up all you coul'd of the severall Importacons you have had since the Last act of Parliamt. & considering that what remaines unpd in your Mint must be made good out of the severall sumes the Parliamt. hath voted for the discharge of your Debts, wch. will be given us out of some supply that shall be granted to the King before the House doeth rise. This is therefoer to require, direct & order you to take upp all yor. Tooles, Engines, & Vtensills, & pack them Vpp assoone as you can, & by the next and opportunity you have to send them by sea, directed to us at the Mint in the Tower; The Monyrs. knowing best what is fitt to be sent upp, have already reced Order's from their Provost here, to secure all their Tooles, of wch. yu must be sure to take an Acct. & transmitt it to us assoone as they are shipp'd off. The old Iron unfitt for use you may dispose of there & likewise the Wood of yor. presses & Mills, & give us the creditt for the same in yor. Bookes. In mentoing the Tooles above, Wee meane {n}ott only what the Monyrs. have in their hands, but likewise what the Melter & Assay Master have, & generally all that has been sent from hence, & what the King has paid for. Yor Bookes, Pix Box's {a}nd dyes both good & badd, you may Naile upp in \a/ box by them selves {&} sent them upp by the Carryer's Remember to take Bills of Loading for {w}hat comes by sea, & agree for the Freight if you can conveniently {do}e itt, this we expect a Speedy complyance with, & soe remaine Yor. Loving Freinds, Is: Newton; Tho: Neale" [sic] [MINT 10/2/78r], ,
Given the extraordinary distrust of Thomas Clark, particularly in the handling of official moneys and unexplained absences, the loaded nature behind the promissory statement of 'discharging Mint salaries' becomes especially profound, even if Clark mysteriously retained the favour of Thomas Neale.
Estimate: £400 - £600