Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 5.djvu/105

1550.] the conclusion of the peace with France, the experiment was to be tried on a grander scale.

By a resolution of the English council, on the 8th of July, 1550, it was determined that a mint should be forthwith established in Ireland, and that it should be let out to farm for twelve months on the following conditions:—


 * 1) That the King should be at no manner of charge, great or small.
 * 2) That the King should have thirteen shillings and fourpence clear out of every pound weight that should be coined.
 * 3) That the bullion to be coined should be provided from other countries, and not from England or Ireland.
 * 4) That by this means the sum of 24,000l. at the least should be advanced to the King's Majesty within twelve months.
 * 5) That the King should appoint a master of assays and a controller.

An indenture was drawn on the 9th of August, between the council and Martin Perry, granting to Perry the management of the establishment on these terms; the money to be made was to be four ounces fine with eight of alloy. The pound weight of silver, if coined at a pure standard, yielded forty-eight shillings; with two-thirds of alloy, therefore, it would produce one hundred and forty-four; and if the King