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104 HENRY SYMONDS.the Irishmen continued to hope for the fulfilment ofElizabeth's promise, as there is a letter from Dublinto Cecil, dated 3 May, 1561, saying that WilliamWilliams 5 and Thomas Smythe had been sent overfor matters of the mint and had conferred with theLords Justices, when it had been resolved that Dublinwas the " "most aptest place for refining and recoining.On the next day there is another letter to Cecil to thesame effect. Then the Irish Privy Council expresstheir views in a letter to the Queen on 5 May, whereinthey say that the Castle of Dublin, with the help of thechapel next without the gate, then out by lease, wouldbe the most convenient place in that realm ;and that100 would make the old buildings againfit for thepurpose of a mint (op. cit., Nos. 63-5). The abovementionedThomas Smythe also writes to Cecil fromDublin on 5 May, reporting that he had begun torepair the furnaces, &c., and asking for a flat-bottomedhoy of 40 or 50 tons, drawing about 5 or 6 feet, inwhich to bring wood to the Castle. He adds a requestfor the patents for the officers there, but does notmention their names (op. cit, No. 66).On 22 May, 1561, the Queen sends to the Lieutenantof Ireland a signed list of instructions, some of whichdoubtless surprised the advocates of a mint at Dublinand cut short the work connected with its inauguration.The relevant passages in this document informthe Lieutenant that " we have sent over a certain massof treasure of new fine and sterling silver, now newlycoined with the stamp of our arms of Ireland, beingagreeable to the goodness of our moneys of England,EAn assay -master under Edward VI at Dublin.