Believes JH's handwriting is sufficiently clear for official correspondence. Denies request for additional worker to serve as JH's personal clerk.

Supports JH's plan to hire F. R. Brande as supernumerary clerk and Henry Finch to replace Brande, but tell them explicitly that these are not permanent positions.

Approves delay in JH's report on coinage until JH can determine how unusual present demand will affect Mint operations.

Asks JH to call on CT when convenient. [JH annotation: Discussed objection of Lord C [Chandos?=Richard Grenville] to hiring Brande.]

W. H. Barton concurs with JH on value of promoting F. R. Brande.

Crisis averted. W. T. Brande [Senior] withdrew letter of resignation submitted by his son F. R. Brande, who went away to country to calm down.

Introduces Deputy Assistant Commissary General Bower, who wishes to learn minting processes before leaving for Australia.

Approves JH's action in transferring £2000 of half crowns to Bank [of England]. Will restrain Commissariat demand for silver coins until present pressure from Bank for coinage is over. Instructions for colonial coinage are obsolete; only new coins should be sent overseas. Plan to produce reserve stock of coins for Commissariat. [JH annotation: calculates minimum reserve stock.]

Permission granted for issue of £50,000. Please return CT's note to JH instructing that only new coins be sent to Colonies.

Encloses letter from War Office. Current crisis in coin production has focused public scrutiny upon reorganized Mint system. '[W]e ... are on trial.' [JH annotation: Pensioners are complaining to War Office that they are not paid, due to lack of silver coins.]

Has not received reply from Anthony de Rothschild. Foresees great demand soon for gold and silver. Gives W. T. Brande's estimate of maximum possible output by Mint.

[Marked 'Confidential.'] CT will respond to the Times query regarding Mint [production of silver coins]. Plan to meet with CT when H. D. Harness returns. Glad to hear that Mint workmen began 12-hour workdays on 25 Oct.

Suggestions how to prepare for increasing public demand for silver. Mint workers began working 12-hour days on Monday.

[Marked 'Confidential.'] Agrees with JH that assay of freshly minted coins may be eliminated [to reduce delivery time]. Keep official copy of JH's letter and send copy to CT. Anticipates no delay in new appointments at Mint when Mr. Forbes retires.

Colonial 'Chest' contains excess of silver coins. Requests that £30,000 be sent from Malta to England.

Begin copper coinage for Ireland as soon as pressure for gold and silver coinage slackens. Quantity is not known, but it will be considerable. Mr. Watt is needed in Bahamas; plan to get new clerk from Customs House to replace Watt. CT is arranging for Mr. Julyan to remain as long as JH needs Julyan. Encloses extract from letter by Rev. Walker of Liverpool.

Please return JH's letter of 20 Nov. Wants to correct error regarding men employed by G. F. G. Mathison.

Glad that [Mr. Watt and Mr. Julyan] are working out well. CT will arrange for them to remain as long as needed. Delaying Watt's transfer to Bahamas. Acquaint them both with all aspects of Mint business, especially assaying.

Lord Chandos [Richard Grenville] wants to know superannuation deductions and pension expectations of Mint workmen.

Order for 'Return of Coin' melted by Bank [of England] was sent to Bank's governor [Thomson Hankey] and deputy governor. Congratulates JH on [marriage of daughter Caroline to son of next prime minister, [George Hamilton-Gordon,] Lord Aberdeen].