Appeal against the Mint's verdict rejecting his application for the post of assay master, specifically accusing Newton of favouritism Catesby Oadham c. 448 words The Newton Project Oxford 2017 Newton Project, University of Oxford

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 April to August 1713, c. 448 words. Privy Council

[See Craig, NATM, 87 and Westfall, 755-6 for accounts of this dispute.]

 MINT 19/1/94, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK UKSurreyKew, RichmondNational Archives MINT 19/1/94 April to August 1713 English Clerical Hand MintPersonnel and Administration Catalogue information compiled by Rob Iliffe, Peter Spargo & John Young Catalogue exported to teiHeader by Michael Hawkins Transcribed by Will Scott Checked by Will Scott
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To the Rt.Right Honoble:Honourable Thomas Earl of Wharton Lord Privy Seal

The humble PetitionRepresentation of Catesby Oadham GenGentleman

Sheweth.

That the place of assay master of his Majties.Majesties Mint becoming Vacant in Iany 1712. Catesby Oadham (who was bred as Refiner and had gained good experience in assaying) being a Candidate for the same did by the direction of Mr. Taylor of the Treasury aply to Sr.Sir Isaac Newton to be try'd agt.against any other Candidate to whome Sr.Sir Isaac answer'd we have reported Mr. Bratle to be the fittest person, without makeing any tryall tho Oadham is inform'd that abt.about that time Sr.Sir Isaac did confess to Mr. Kemp who was then a Competitor for the place that Bratle could not doe the business of an Assay Master without an Assistant.

On the 8ce. of Aprill 1713. Oadham was try'd agt.against Mr. Bratle before the officers of the Mint, who had before declard Mr. Bratle to be the fittest person, and afterwards made the same report tho they did allow Oadham to be a good Assay Master, but Oadham setting forth the hardships of that Tryall was by the direction of the late Ld.Lord Treasurer Oxford tryed in the whole mistery of Assaying under the inspection of the Earl of Yarmouth who amply Certified his qualifications as apears by his anexed Certificate to a petition wch.which Mr. Oadham presented to his Majtie.Majestie who was graciously pleased to Order the Lds.Lords of the Treasury to Enquire into the Merritits of the Pretender and to doe justice accordingly. but Mr. Bradtle or Sr.Sir Isaac Newton hearing of this refference and being unwilling to stand the tryall obtaind a Warrt.Warrant for Mr. Bratles haveing a Patent, before the Petition, Certificates, and refference could be read in the Treasury.

Mr. Oadham hereupon aplys to the Privy council from whence his Petition went, and is promissed that the Ld.Lord President will call for the said petition the first general Councill day when LdLord Hallifax When Lord Hallifax will be present and that Mattr.Matter determind in councill, he therefore insists that no grant for such Patent passes the Privy seal till this Examinaītion is over it being of the greatest concern to the Credit of the Nation that theis Employ be in the hands of a throughthorough quallify'd person and altho the Employmt.Employment is in the gift of the Lords of the Treasury, he is prerswaded their LordppsLordshipps will desire the tryall especially since Sr.Sir Isaac Newton who recom̄mmends Bratle is excluded from such a recomendation by Act of Parliamt.Parliament 2°. H. 6

Besides Mr. Oadham can bring Vnquestionable Witnesses to prove Mr. Bratle his incapacity and Vnfairness in Assaying.

Cateseby Oadham