Submits estimates of silver losses expected by Mint from Apr. 1855 to Mar. 1856.

Delivery of dies for Crimean medal to Master of Mint. JH ordered 60,000 ounces of silver for its production.

Any of JH's letters to CT may be shown to [Henry] Roberts.

[Marked 'Private.'] Did not wish to offend [Henry] Roberts, but JH is in awkward position regarding L. C. Wyon, who, as Mint employee, is competing with rival artist for design of Crimean medal. Silver supply is adequate for medal production, but machinery is limited. Expects three-month delay.

Estimates expenses and problems in production of medals for Kaffir war veterans. Asks for authority to determine wages for workmen employed on Kaffir and Crimean medals.

Forwards to Treasury, without JH's approval, request by F. R. Brande and Henry Finch,junior clerks in Mint office, for higher salary. [JH note: Brande disclaimed knowledge of this request. Brande and Finch retracted it, but wanted to send another. JH refused.]

Unable to perform Mint duties. Doctor directed JH to country for four to five weeks of complete rest. JH notified Lord Palmerston [H. J. Temple] and asked to be relieved of Mastership.

Sent Treasury's retirement form to Benedetto Pistrucci, who returned it blank. Encloses copy of Pistrucci's reply.

Approves reforms suggested by R. L. Sheil. Suggests using Assay department to assay foreign coins during quiet periods. Recommends introducing new coin weighing machine by Mr. Cotton to inspect every coin, not just random samples. Expects difficulty in eliminating private artistic work of William Wyon, chief engraver.

Legal notice of contract termination was served to company of Moneyers by Treasury solicitor on 13 Feb. Requests that reform of Mint Board, Mint office, Assay office, and Melting department be implemented before Mint staff assume duties of Moneyers in May. Encloses JH's plan for reorganizing departments. Offered positions in new structure to four Moneyers.

Forwards proposal from G. F. G. Mathison to retain refinery as part of Mint. JH still concurs with R. L. Sheil that refinery should be sold or leased. Mr. Haggard's report in 1848 shows that purified gold may be purchased more cheaply than it can be processed in Mint. Again requests permission to proceed with reforms to Mint Board and three offices.

Reports reforms made so far in Coining, Melting, and Assaying departments. Hired William Buckle, engineer from Birmingham, as assistant coiner. Robert Mushet will accept position of senior clerk and melter after G. F. G. Mathison's contract is terminated. Office of resident assayer, declined by Henry Bingley, was accepted by H. W. Field, who will assume duties after J. M. Beckwith, Master's assayer, retires. Position of junior clerk and assistant assayer, offered to Henry Bingley and declined, was accepted by Charles Sterry. Duties of nonresident assayers were accepted by W. A. Miller, Thomas Graham, and T. Johnson.

Submits JH's reformed organizational plan for Mint and new personnel assignments [see JH's 1851-7-26] for approval by Treasury commissioners.

With death of William Wyon, chief engraver, JH wants to leave position of medalist vacant and eliminate Engraving department, turning to outside artists when needed. Proposes to deprive Benedetto Pistrucci, chief medalist, and L. C. Wyons, probationer engraver, of their residences at Mint and appoint them outside 'modellers and engravers' to Mint, retaining James Wyon, presently assistant to chief engraver, as probationary resident engraver under direction of Die department.

Proposes to amalgamate Coining department and Machinery and Die department, with W. T. Brande as superintendent of new Coining and Die department.

Forwards Henry Bingley's appeal to Treasury for compensation for loss of Bingley's office as Queen's assay master. Notes previous offers that Bingley declined, including position as resident assayer in reorganized Mint. Points out that Bingley's son worked in Mint for past two years without pay in preparation for succeeding his father. Compliments Bingley's past work in raising Mint standards for purity of gold.

Forwards new claim by Henry Bingley for compensation for work performed by Bingley's son as probationary assayer. JH suggests £300. Believes that Bingley's further claim for reimbursement for coachhouse and stables, built at Mint residence by Bingley, was covered by Treasury's earlier compensation to Bingley.

Forwards report by Mint Board evaluating claims from company of Moneyers to compensation for equipment taken over by Mint during reform. Mr. Richards has evaluated Moneyers' equipment, and JH submits recommended compensation for various articles.

Forwards evaluation of melting and refining equipment taken over from G. F. G. Mathison. Portions of refinery were evaluated by Mr. Abud, named by Woods and Forests commissioners. Submits recommended compensation for various articles.

Agrees to deposit £10,000 of stock for JH's security and give JH's own bond for £10,000.