Requests permission to close Mint for three months to repair and replace machinery that has deteriorated under heavy workload of past two years. Plans to begin at end of this month. Please inform JH of any pending orders for coinage.
Outlines administrative organization, duties, and jurisdiction of Sydney branch mint. Procedure for sending sample coins to London for examination and approval.
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.
Saw in the Times that JH is working on universal alphabet. Sends Wolfgang Kempelen's book (1791) on mechanism of speech. Speculates on machine that could produce phonetic sounds for universal language.
James Wyon has proven to be competent engraver for two years.
Number of coin dies required by Sydney branch mint and lifetime of each die. WB would need six months to produce these.
Forwards letter by E. W. Ward reporting progress at Sydney branch mint and assay results of Australian gold.
Forwards letter from Henry Finch to CT. It may help JH in considering Finch's case.
Grateful for JH's paper on 'Deduction from Salaries' question, but notes precedent in common law for exceptions in cases of dismissal from public service.
Acknowledges CT's error in writing name of 'Rose & Crown.' Returns JH's unsigned letter on copper coinage with two errors noted. Concurs with JH on coins proposed for adoption.
[Form letter] Treasury solicits recommendations on which of three decimal distance scales should be adopted by Ordnance Survey for maps.
Visited JH at Mint today. Notes JH's health and recovery. JH reminisced of childhood episodes with William Herschel.
Specifies procedure for combining the contents of two pots.
A letter of regret that JH is unable to attend the funeral of [William Carr Beresford].