The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

218 HENRY SYMONDS.
of surveyor of all the newly found mines of metal in
Ireland, relying upon his expert knowledge of metals.
And for the further perfection of the lately erected
mint, and for the due observance of the standard, he
is appointed surveyor of the said mint, so that thence-
forth " the counsell and advertisment " of the surveyor
should be used in all assays, meltings, and other works.
(Patent roll, 5 Edw. VI, part 4.)
The subject of the silver mines at Clonmines, co.
Wexford, is much debated in the State Papers and
other correspondence, but, as Archdeacon Pownall has
made several extracts therefrom, I will be content
with a passing mention of what is, after all, rather
a side-issue, as very little of the bullion came from
that source. In, or soon after, May, 1551, the three mint
officers drew up a report
as to the amount due to the
King. The account, although it is not so stated, must
refer to the bargain made by the indenture of 9 August,
1550. The figures from October, 1550, to January,
1550-1, inclusive, show 7,273 due from Pirry; from
February to May, 1551, inclusive, they show 5,372
payable by Pirry. The total due to the King being
12,645, for a period of eight months working in the
mint. It seems therefore improbable that the remainder,
nearly one half, of the agreed minimum sum would be
forthcoming during the last four months of the lease
(S. P. Ireland, Edw. VI, vol. 3). Be that as it may, the
Dublin establishment was closed either immediately
after the preparation of this account or in the month
of July next following, the second suppression within
three years.
There is again much interesting correspondence
with the Lord-Deputy as to the Irish currency, but