But I mistake; for before this Report was made, His Majesty’s most gracious answer to the House of Lords was sent over and printed, wherein there are these words, “granting the patent for coining halfpence and farthings AGREEABLE TO THE PRACTICE OF HIS ROYAL PREDECESSORS, &c.”  That King Charles 2d. and King James 2d. (AND THEY ONLY) did grant patents for this purpose is indisputable, and I have shewn it at large.  Their patents were passed under the great seal of Ireland by references to Ireland, the copper to be coined in Ireland, the patentee was bound on demand to receive his coin back in Ireland, and pay silver and gold in return.  Wood’s patent was made under the great seal of England, the brass coined in England, not the least reference made to Ireland, the sum immense, and the patentee under no obligation to receive it again and give good money for it:  This I only mention, because in my private thoughts I have sometimes made a query, whether the penner of those words in His Majesty’s most gracious answer, “agreeable to the practice of his royal predecessors,” had maturely considered the several circumstances, which, in my poor opinion seem to make a difference.

Let me now say something concerning the other great cause of some people’s fear, as Wood has taught the London newswriter to express it.  That “his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant is coming over to settle Wood’s halfpence.”

We know very well that the Lords Lieutenants for several years past have not thought this kingdom worthy the honour of their residence, longer than was absolutely necessary for the King’s business, which consequently wanted no speed in the dispatch; and therefore it naturally fell into most men’s thoughts, that a new governor coming at an unusual time must portend some unusual business to be done, especially if the common report be true, that the Parliament prorogued to I know not when, is by a new summons (revoking that prorogation) to assemble soon after his arrival:  For which extraordinary proceeding the lawyers on t’other side the water have by great good fortune found two precedents.

All this being granted, it can never enter into my head that so little a creature as Wood could find credit enough with the King and his ministers to have the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland sent hither in a hurry upon his errand.

For let us take the whole matter nakedly as it lies before us, without the refinements of some people, with which we have nothing to do.  Here is a patent granted under the great seal of England, upon false suggestions, to one William Wood for coining copper halfpence for Ireland:  The Parliament here, upon apprehensions of the worst consequences from the said patent, address the King to have it recalled; this is refused, and a committee of the Privy-council report to His Majesty, that Wood has performed the conditions of his patent.  He then is left to do the best he can with his halfpence; no man being obliged to