52 EOBEET WALLACE McLACHLAN ON THE 



or demands whatsoever, at the several rates of value following : that is to say the English shilling at the rate of 

 Is 3d currencj', and the English six-pence at the rate of 7Jd currency, provided that no person shall be receiver, 

 in one payment, of mere than 50s Halifax currency in British silver coins, at the rate or rates aforesaid. And 

 whereas Spanish American doubloons are brought into the Province in the course of trade, and in payment of 

 the exports therefrom, and have been since the year 1819 received and paid at and after the rate of Jt4 currency, 

 and four treasury notes of £1 each have since that time been deemed equivalent to one doubloon and the difficulty 

 of procuring British coins in the ordinary course of trade still continuing it is necessary that the said doubloons 

 should become and be made a legal tender at the rate aforesaid ; 



Be it therefore enacted, etc., that from and after the passing of this Act, the said doubloon being of full 

 weight and fineness, shall and may be ofiered and received, and paid and legally tendered to the Provincial 

 Treasurer, or other person 'or persons whomsoever, in payment, satisfaction, or discharge of any debt, sum of 

 money, duties, obligations, liabilities, or demands contracted since the 19th day of April, 1819, at and after the 

 rate of £4 currency for one doubloon. 



And be it enacted, that the pound sterling as represented by the gold coin of the United Kingdom of Great 

 Britain and Ireland, called the Sovereign, shall henceforth be deemed and taken to be the unit or standard, or 

 measure of money, or value whereby or with reference to which all contracts which shall be entered into for the 

 payment of British sterling money, shall be regulated and ascertained within the Province. 



And be it further enacted that the copper monej' of the United Kingdom, and copper coins procured by the 

 Legislature for the use of the Province shall be current at the same rate as the British penny and halfpenny 

 pieces, when the payment is to be made in sterling money ; but if payment is to be made in the existing cur- 

 rency, then in like proportion, as such currency as is adjusted in the Act, bears to sterling money. 



APPENDIX VIII. 

 Minute of Council and Leitbr Relating to the Coinage of 1856. 



A. 



Minute op Council, August 28th, 18.55. 



The existing scarcity of copper coin in the Province being reported at the board, ordered that £1,000 stg. in 



penny and halfpenny pieces in equal proportions be ordered from England and that application with a view to 



obtaining the same be made to Messrs. Baring Bros. & Co., with models and specimens of the coins enclosed to 



them. 



B. 



Halifax, N.S., August 30, 185^. 

 Gentlemen, ^ 



The Government of Nova Scotia having been desirous of procuring for the public convenience 

 copper coins pence and halfpence of the Provincial currency to an extent which will represent in that currency 

 in equal sums one thousand two hundred and fifty pounds and the provincial secretary being absent, I have the 

 honor, in obedience to the commands of His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, to request that you will have 

 the goodness to direct on behalf of this Government the execution of this service and make suitable arrange- 

 ments for carrying it into effect so that the amount may reach the Colony at the earliest period that may be 

 convenient. The number of coins required being 



150,000 pence equal to £625 



300,000 halfpence " 625 



Total in currency. . £1,250 

 These it is requested may be put in papers of 120 halfpence and 60 pence each and in secure and convenient 

 packages properly distinguished and addressed 



On Hbe Majesty's Service, 

 The Honorable James McNab, Receiver General, 

 Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

 Insurance being made on the shipment in London. 



Specimens of the coins at present in use here are transmitted, the new coinage being intended to be of the 

 same weight and size and fineness, the obverse and reverse designs being also the same with the single alteration 

 of the year of Our Lord which will be 18.55 instead of 184:î. 



You will understand however that the Honorable Joseph Howe, at present in London, has been instructed to 

 suggest and communicate to you any modifications in the design which he may deem proper and such if 

 communicated you are requested to adopt. 



The Receiver General of Nova Scotia will pay to your order or remit as you may direct the amount of 

 charges and expenses incident to the service. 



