Messrs. Rennie submitted estimate [for contract coinage work] yesterday that HH considers preposterous.

Treasury rejected all bids [for contract coinage work] and called for establishing coining facilities within Mint. Sends copy of such plan that HH already prepared for JH's signature.

Sends note from J. T. Pratt arranging meeting. [JH annotation: 'National Debt Office, Old Jewry, Wednesday.']

Will search for papers and be at Treasury at appointed time. Found Oxford more beautiful than expected.

JH asks that JF recommend someone to value articles at Mint claimed by Moneyers as their property.

JF misunderstood HH's note. Mint needs someone to value tools, not chemicals. Thought Field's firm [Maudslay, Sons, & Field] could recommend one of its employees.

Will meet JH tomorrow. Mint staff is taking over rooms from Moneyers. Transition is going smoothly. Joseph Nicoll is dying and will probably not draw much compensation.

Sends W[illiam] Lalor with letters for JH. Will go to Treasury at four o'clock.

Recovering from illness.

Awaits assay report from W. A. Miller. [F. R.] Brande is absent again when most needed [during transition to new Mint system]. George Arbuthnot sent list of coins needed for colonies. HH's daughter returns German book lent by JH.

Regrets JH's poor health. Forwards message from Henry Rich at Treasury. Official appointment of [C. B. Piers] arrived. Letter from [W. G.] Hayter named Mr. Aberdein as new clerk in Mint office.

Delay in converting offer made to GM into legal form is not JH's fault, but Treasury's. Rent cannot be stated until Mr. [Pusnithorne?] reports his valuing of refinery equipment.

Sent JH's note to G. F. G. Mathison today. Leaving for Woods and Forests office to expedite this matter. Describes where HH put keys to coin cases for JH's sons, who will probably arrive while HH is away.

Waiting for official assay report is creating delay that gives bad appearance at Mint. HH suspects that someone is creating distrust of Mint's assaying arrangements. Proposes to begin work without reports.

Mint is 'striking shillings fast.'

Complains that H. W. Field seems to have forgotten that, as officer in new Mint, Field should be available whenever required.

Runs daily Mint business so JH can turn attention to the Exhibition papers. Will propose to William Buckle that books in Coining department be incorporated into general records of Mint.

Forwards letters from Robert Mushet and Mr. Hill. Suspended Mr. Fowler, lamplighter, for drunkenness; another gas man who neglected his duty was referred to Mr. [Louis?]. Gave JH's papers and gas company's report to W. T. Brande, who will report on future gas supplies for Mint. Reports accuracy of 27 melting pots. [JH annotation: Recommends getting rid of gas production facility. Response to report on melting pots.]

Bank of England wants more gold coined. If JH can obtain discretionary form requested in JH's 13 Oct. letter to Treasury, then coining can begin next week.

JH is needed for tomorrow's meeting with Mr. [Hooter] regarding wrought iron melting pots.