1668, March 11. Whitehall
Considerations proposed to the King by Prince Rupert aand Hen. Howard of Norfolk,
for making current farthings; showing their necessity, the loss and inconvenience
by private tokens in case of removals, &c, as appeared in the late fire of London;
also arguments for the model proposed by the Prince, as made of metals of the
kingdom and difficult to counterfeit, rather than for farthings of copper, which
would be very bulky, and being of intrinsic value, would yield no benefit to the
King. The proposers request to have the making of farthings on reasonable terms,
the Prince having invented the model, and Howard being son and executor of the late
Earl of Arundel, who lost a lease of the farthing office for his loyalty. [Signed,
2 pages. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 236, No. 77.]
Entry of the above considerations and request, and reference thereon to the Treasury
Commissioners. [S.P. Dom., Entry Book 18, pp. 291-293.]
March ?
Proposal to avoid the great disorders arsing from the coinage of private
tokens, and to meet the necessity for small moneys, by coining farthing tokens of
copper of intrinsic value, deducting the expense of coinage, showing the great
advantages to be derived therefrom; an officer to be appointed to provide the metal,
regulate the quantities coined, and deliver them to the merchants. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 236, No. 78.]
Undated Paper 1668
Statement of the great delays which, owing to the Dutch war, &c., have arisen in
presenting the petition of Sir Edw. Ford, on behalf of the Royal Fishing Company,
to coin farthings; the Commissioners [for fishery] agreed with him for 5s. in
the pound on 80,000 to be made in the year. Sir Edward urges completion of the
matter, as the only apparent mode of supporting the fishing. The King has often
declared against private persons having liberty to coin, and if any should obtain it,
the great labours of the company would be frustrated. [S.P. Dom., Car. II 251, No. 162.]
1668, November 11. Deal
Rich. Watts to Williamson. A ship from the Barbadoes has arrived, and reports the
colony to be in a peaceable condition. There is a report that Prince Robert [Rupert]
is desiring leave of the King to make halfpence, to go throughout the kingdom, at which
all rejoice, for now every pitiful shopkeeper coins farthings and halfpence at his
pleasure. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 267, No. 153.]
1668, November 21. Deal
Rich. Watts to [Williamson]. Prince Robert's farthings are much talked of and desired,
and it is reported that Parliament intends to set a fine upon all farthing and halfpenny
coiners. A pleasure boat has sailed from the Downs, bound for Calais, to fetch the Duke
of Lenox. [S.P. Dom. Car. II. 267, No. 219.]
1671, February 22. --Speech
Speech by Lord Lucas in the House of Lords on the second reading of the Subsidy Bill.
There were great expectations at the Restoration of freedom from the heavy burdens of
the usurptation, and that Astraea, fled up to heaven, would have returned again; but now
the burdens are increased, and the means of meeting them lessened, there being so little
money in the country, the Rump money swept away by the King's proclamation and the Dutch,
and only copper farthings talked of to replace it. A few men are growing rich and flourishing,
whilst many of those who were imprisoned and sequestered are left without reward. The pretence
of enabling the King to defend the country is not sufficient for so large grants. Attacks
being only threatened, treasure should be husbanded. The subject should at least not be kept
in uncertainty as to the amount proposed to be given. The Commons send up a bill for the twentieth
par of real estates at their full value, and are preparing others, which will come to three
millions, but bounds should be set to this liberal humour; he proposes that it be reduced
to 8d. in the pound, which will make the King much more popular and relieve the
hardships of the distressed kingdom. [S.P. Dom. Car. II. 287, No. 238.]
1671? --Petition
John Garrill to the King. Petition that in any grant of a general pardon an exception be made
of offenders for coining, stamping, and vending farthings, half-pence, and pence, and that
they be not pardoned without paying the charges of prosecution; otherwise he will lose many
thousand pounds, which by order of Council he has spent thereon. On the petition of several
corporations, counties, &c., the King only granted pardon to those who should compound with the
petitioner for the charges of prosecution. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 295, No. 44.]
1671? --Petition
William Garret to Lord Arlington. Petition for a place as one of the servants for delivery of
the farthing tokens which the King intends to set forth.[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 295, No. 66.]
Petition of the same to the King. To the same effect. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 295, No. 67.]
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