Procedure, 30 December 1701, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh the Threttie one day of July J^aj vii^c and one years

A1701/7/46

A1701/7/46¹

Act

Act In favors of Sir William Denholme of Westsheills

Anent the petition given in to the Lords of his Majesties privy Councill be Sir William Denholme of Westsheill Master of his Majesties Mint Shewing That wher in the Coyning of the gold ordered by the Saids Lords at the Instance of the Affrican Company their occurres this difficultie That the Gold presented for Bullion was not Just Standart But needed to be refined which refineing would be a Considerable Charge; And was certaien that it could neither fall on his Majestie nor upon the officers of the Mint His Majestie being oblidged only to give a free Coynage And Seing that the said expence of refining was Like to be considerable as hade been found by ane essey made of refineing about near Four pound of the said Bullion; Which could not be done for less then about ten pounds Sterling So that it was absolutly necessary That the Saids Lords would determine that preliminary questione as the petition bears The Lords of his Majesties privy Councill Haveing Considered the above petitione given in to them be the above Sir William Denholme of Westsheills They doe hereby Ordain the merchants presenters of the above Gold for Bullion to pay the expences of the said refineing And Doe hereby free the petitioner of takeing in the said Bullion untill either duely refined or that the presenters and in givers of the Said Bullion give Securitie to the Said petitioner for paying the expence of refineing the same.