Problems with wages among workers in Melting house. More ideas for improving air pump.

Note from Hunt & Roskell. HH gave instructions for sale of proof coins before HH left London. W. T. Brande does not agree with wage system at Mint.

Surprised over the uproar caused by 'malcontents' at Mint. Advises JH not to concede anything. Ask Treasury for verbal authority for each step JH takes in hiring, dismissing, or paying employees. If JH needs help, HH will return immediately. P.S.: Learned that F. R. Brande is on salary now.

Forwards note from Mr. [Greund?] referring to correspondence with which HH is not acquainted.

Happy to hear that JH settled difficulties with [W. T.] Brande. Talents of W. H. Barton and Charles Elouis. Reward for R. F. Suft. Advises exchanging Mr. Cumberland for more useful clerk from some other public office.

Explains wages of Mint workers doing piece work. Discourages plan to pay equal wages in all departments. Policy for promotions. Problem of gold ingots of non-standard weight and alloy being imported by Bank of England.

JH must deal with difficulty concerning Mr. Forbes, who will be foolish not to retire instead of letting case go to the Treasury. Work of current month is excellent.

Dispute over seniority between R. F. Suft and Mr. Cumberland. Neither of these junior clerks qualifies for vacancy of senior clerk, who should be competent to stand in during comptroller's absence. Ask W. H. Barton for recommendations.

Considers Thomson Hankey's note ridiculous; pressure by Bank of England for more silver coinage is unnecessary. Reassignment of Mint residences to Mint officers. Discourages plan to extend piece work wages to include Mint officers.

Procedures for evaluating refinery leased to Anthony de Rothschild. Problem of accurately weighing small coins. Size of permanent staff in Mint office should be determined by ordinary work, not by times of pressure. Consider borrowing temporary clerks from other government offices. Returns draft of JH's letter to Rothschild.

Wages for a weighing room assistant. There is no extra copy of Coinage Act. Believes Treasury would approve of bonus for delivery of more silver or gold than planned.

Encloses pamphlets about [W. T.] Denison's experiments to determine accuracy of gold specimens by use of specific gravity. [JH annotation: Wrote to HH on 12 Oct. regarding Mr. Forbes and H. W. Field.]

Doubts [W. T.] Denison's claim that specific gravity is dependable for testing gold coins. Recommends dismissing Mr. Forbes at once. H. W. Field cannot be selective about assays but must perform these whenever JH requires.

Arranges to meet JH at a place other than the Mint.

In response to Treasury's declaration of 'emergency' condition, HH promises to assist in any way JH needs.

Will not come to the Mint tomorrow.

JH's description yesterday of events at Mint led HH to stay away. Surprised that JH wishes to see HH. No one should interfere between W. T. Brande and William Buckle.

Forwards note from unknown author. Direct HH's servants to come to HH's residence.

Silver coinage. If Mr. Mocatta cannot deliver silver, perhaps the Rothschilds in Paris can. Did JH obtain authority yet to equalize subsistence wages for workers in Melting and Coining departments?

No news from Mr. Mocatta. Discrepancy of £126 on Mint books will be quickly settled. Thanks for gift of tickets to HH.