Orders Stronghold no. 3 in Coining Department to be cleaned daily instead of weekly.

Make arrangements with Robert Mushet to transfer Mr. Hill Jr. to duty in Coining department under direction of W. T. Brande.

Directions for dispatching copper coins to eleven branches of Provincial Bank of Ireland.

Reports total coinage from 1814 to 1853 and silver coinage from 1801 to 1815. Gives reasons why gold coins in circulation 'fall far short' of those minted. History of copper coinage since 1790.

Received [CT]'s letter of 9 Jan. 1854 conveying request of the Duke of Newcastle [H. P. F. P. Clinton] for artist to execute Crimean Medal, and Treasury commissioners' directive for JH to include cost of dies for medal in 1855 Mint expenses. JH feels obligated to employ Mint's own Medaller and Engraver, but will accept dies from another artist if Queen Victoria so desires.

Now that pressure for gold and silver coinage has abated, JH wants to eliminate some temporary clerks assigned to Mint. Mr. Watt and H. A. Severn were assigned to Sydney branch mint. [John] Goldsmith was appointed supernumerary clerk in Mint office. JH informed Mr. Welsh that Welsh's services will end soon.

Requests permission from Treasury to draw from Master's account at Bank [of England] to cover expenses that cannot be paid from depleted Exchequer account before 31 Mar., when Parliamentary grant for next fiscal year becomes available.

Appoints Mr. Hill, senior clerk in Mint office, to replace Mr. Julyan as superintendent of copper coinage at Birmingham.

Returns [?]'s letter, dated January, for correction. Believes that [?] intended it to be dated February.

Forwards report by W. T. Brande on performance of Henry Finch during one year probation in coining department. JH recommends advancing Henry Finch and F. R. Brande to permanent positions.

JH paid salary for Mr. Watt from 22 June. 1853 to 17 Feb. 1854, when Watt was officially assigned to Sydney branch mint. Mr. Hill will replace Mr. Julyan, who was recalled from Birmingham to Commissary Department on 10 Feb. 1854. Mr. Nash will take Mr. Hill's duties as senior clerk in Mint office and senior officer in charge of dies.

In response to letter from Sir Emerson Tennant to Mr. Lawley, JH intends to apply for public pyx trial as soon as coining of gold is concluded.

Will submit statement if [Audit Office] insists, but does not believe this will afford any check on correctness of silver bullion inventory.

Formal testimonial to competence of J. L. Drury, temporary clerk in Mint office and melting department since 31 Jan. 1853.

Paymaster General's office requires special approval from Treasury to pay allowance for quarters to fireman George Busher, transferred from Queen's assay office to resident assay office.

Explains to Treasury why copper needed for coinage is supplied by private contract, rather than by public competition, following 1849 transfer of copper manufacturing from Boulton & Watt in Soho to Ralph Heaton & Sons in Birmingham.

Advises [?] to transfer copper coins from Wexford to Dublin. Regrets that farthing is not better known and used by humbler classes in Ireland. Should JH send small remittance to [?]'s manager in Ballyshannon?

Declares 26 Apr. a holiday at Mint, in keeping with Queen Victoria's proclamation that this be observed as 'a day of Humiliation and Prayer.'

Office of Chief Medalist was abolished on 1 Dec. 1853. [LW]'s salary from then until 31 Mar. 1854 was drawn from Mint under title of 'Medalist and Engraver.' After 1 Apr. 1854, that salary will be issued by Paymaster General.

Announces appointment of Charles Elouis to superintendent of bullion office at Sydney branch mint, effective 1 May 1854. R. F. Suft will replace Elouis as registrar and accountant in Mint office. Charles Sterry will take Suft's former position as senior clerk. E. L. J. Ridsdale is appointed, subject to [one year] probation, to junior clerk and assistant assayer.