THe assurance I have, that all your Honours cares and labours have no other aime, then the remooving of all Disorders, the relieving of the People, and encreasing more and more the Happinesse within, and the Re­putation abroad of this Common-wealth, Hath enboldned me to put your Honours in mind, that the Coyne, when it is ill done, doth cause many great disorders in a State, giving way to the Counterfeiting and Clipping of it, which occasioneth the death of severall persons; besides the transporting of the heaviest pieces out of the Land, to the great hinderance of the Commerce, and the great losse and incommodity of the poor people, which is worthy to be taken into consideration, and to be pitied.

For the remedy of such a disorder the Honourable Councell of State had prudently resolved to have the money well Coyned, if they could but meet with an excellent Workman to have the conduct of that Work: A year since I had notice of it, whereupon I sent hither some Paterns of Coyn, which were esteemed and approoved of by the said Honourable Councell of State, which occasioned my comming into England; where being arrived, I was very curteously entertained by the said Honourable Councell, who then doubted not but that Doctor Gourdon Master of the Mint, would be inclinable to a thing so much conducing to the good, and relief of the People, but it fell out otherwise: For, having applyed my self severall times unto the said Doctor, he told me plainly, That if I was come to be an Officer of the Mint, they were already too many, and that the Workmen were more then they had need for the Coyning of their Money, which they would doe so well, that the State would-be satisfied; And according­ly he did promise it unto the State.

A while after, the said Workmen Coyned some Money, the said Doctor exhorting them to doe it well, and in­deed they used their best Skill; yet it did cost dear unto the State, by reason of the Stamps they spoyled; and was so ill favouredly done, that it displeased both the People, and those that had any skill therein.

The Honourable Councell of State did since give an Order the 3. of February last, That the Coyne should be better made, and that the Honourable Committee of the Mint should hearken unto my Proposition; which is, by a new Invention of mine, to make a handsomer Coyne, then it can be found in all the world besides, viz. That shall not only be Stamped on both Flat-sides, but shall even be marked with Letters upon the thicknesse of the Brim, whereby the Counterfeiting, Casting, and Clipping of the Coyne shall be prevented. This way is much approoved of, and desired by all knowing curious, and understanding Men, both in the Parliament, and the Honourable Councell of State; and even by most men of all sorts and conditions, who have seen my Patterns, and doe under­stand the Utility, Profit, and Reputation this Common-wealth will get by it: But the said Doctor, and the Work­men of the Mint not willing to understand the dammage they cause unto the poor People, and to the State also; and for their own, and private Interest, have so crossed this businesse, that no resolution hath been yet taken to pro­cure so much good unto the State, and the Publick.

The said Doctor hath told me himself in plaine tearms, That he would doe his utmost to hinder my Proposition; and for that end he hath brought in an Irish Lock Smith, one David Rammage, a man ill-affected to the present Government, who hath been Servant formerly the late deceased Master Briot, for whom he forged his Tools, and marked his Brasse Counters: which Rammage made a proof of a very big Brasse piece very ill favouredly done, which was marked upon the Thicknesse of the Brim, after the old way, which is very tedious, and cannot be done upon the Thin ordinary Pieces, as I may doe by my new Invention.

Further, to hinder that the said Invention of mine should be made use of, the said Doctor hath given out, That it was a thing so easie to be found out, that the Work-men of the Mint, and any others could Counterfeit the same: And therefore, that it was as good to Coyne the Money of this Common-wealth, as it is Coyned now in France. And that he might undertake it, he caused the said Irish Smith to be associated with the Work-men of the Mint, saying, He would doe it as well, and cheaper than any body else: The Money Coyned that way can be Cast and Clipped. Yet the Honourable Sir James Harrington desiring to know their Price, he did bid them draw a Pro­position of the lowest price they would have for, which they did, putting it very low, with no other designe, then thereby to discourage me, and have me goe away, that afterwards they might fall again to their old way of Coyn­ing as formerly.

To know the truth of this thing, whether my Invention is so easie to be found out, about three moneths since an Honourable Member of the Parliament sent my Proofs to Doctor Gourdon, that he might find it out, or cause it to be found out by the Work-men of the Mint, or any other, and to know what price they would have to Coyn that way: They have still my Proofs, but could not finde out the Invention, nor Cast them, as the Doctor hath given out that it may be done.

It is so easie to know that all such Artifices tend onely to amuse the State, and make me lose both my time and patience; but I hope that your Honours, by their prudence and generosity will prevent it; not suffering that the pretended interest of some private men, be any further hindrance or retardment to the Publick Good, or the Glory that will thereby generally happen to the whole State, but specially to the Honourable Members of the Par­liament.

I say, the pretended interest of some private men, because, when I shall have instructed the Work-men to work after my way, they will have more credit and profit then by any other way of Coyning.

Now to shew the affection and desire I have to serve this Common-wealth, and to live under it, because of the esteeme I make of the present Government, although this way of Coyning I doe propound be more difficult, and chargeable, yet I doe offer to make it for the very self-same price, and upon the same termes the Irish Smith and his Associate have demanded to Coyne meerly after the French way.

The said price is five Shillings for Coyning each pound of Gold, and twelve Pence for each pound of Silver.

The State doth furnish the Gold and Silver in Plate, with the expences, and maintaining of the Machins, Tooles, Gravers, and all other small Charges necessary to make the Money.

But if the State be willing that I should undertake to maintaine the Machins, Utensils, and all other small, but ne­cessary, Charges for the perfecting of the Money, it would be more easie, and lesse Chargeable to the State. Yet I will submit to whatsoever your Honours shall Command me.

I most humbly beseech your Honours to take into your serious consideration, that I have been these nine Moneths at a great Charge, doing nothing, but still expecting the Honour of your Commands.

If any man doth call to doubt, or question the possibility of what I doe propound, I will make Proof of it with­out any Charge to the State.