Report on a proposal by one White for gluing duty marks onto paper rather than impressing it [to certify that the recently-imposed tax on paper for parchments and deeds had been paid] Isaac Newton c. 211 words The Newton Project Oxford 2016 Newton Project, University of Oxford

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 15 May 1704, c. 211 words. Treasurer

Printed in NC, 4: 415-16. See also the briefer report by Newton to the same effect c. mid-February 1704 (NC, 4: 413).

Newton rejects the method on both aesthetic and practical grounds.

 MINT 19/3/447, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK UKSurreyKew, RichmondNational Archives MINT 19/3/447 15 May 1704 England English Holograph Unknown Hand Unknown Hand (1) MintEconomic Theory and Legislation MintCorrespondence Catalogue information compiled by Rob Iliffe, Peter Spargo & John Young Catalogue exported to teiHeader by Michael Hawkins Transcribed by Will Scott Will Scott finished transcription

To the RtRight HonbleHonourable the Lord High Treasurer of England

May it please yoryour Lordship

According to yoryour LordpsLordships Order, Mr White has been with me several times to make out his Proposal for preventing the counterfeiting of stampt Paper, but without convincing me of its fitness to be used

For whereas he proposes to past or glue a Mill-mark upon the Paper, this Mark thus becomes a faint one, not well to be seen unless by holding the paper between the eye & the light; and it is also unornamental, appearing on the paper like a patch. And for these reasons it will not please the people.

It may be counterfeited in several ways, & by the Paper-makers it may be counterfeited more exactly then the stamps can be by Gravers

And it doth not appear to me that the dammage susteined by counterfeiting the stamps, equals the charge wchwhich the Government would be at in making & glueing on the Mill-mark.

However finding that Mr White is not satisfied in this Report I am willing if yoryour LopLordship thinks fit that the matter should be reexamined by whom yoryour LopLordship pleases.

All which is most humbly submitted to yoryour LordpsLordships great wisdome

Is. Newton.

Maray 15th 1704. 494 447