440 
to counterfeit any of our halfpence or farthings, we shall hold all 
such offenders utterly inexcusable and shall cause their contempt 
of our laws and government to be chastised with exemplary 
severity.” 
On reaching Bath the bearer of this Proclamation would be 
received by the Mayor, Alderman John Masters, and Chamberlain 
John Bush possibly disbursed two shillings and sixpence, the 
gratuity usually given to the bearer of a Proclamation, for what 
was certainly most unwelcome tidings for the Chamber of the 
City. 
The next Market-day a Civic procession probably set out from 
the Guildhall to the conduit of St. Peter and St. Paul, which then 
served the purpose of a High Cross, and from its steps with all 
due ceremony, the Town Clerk doubtless read the Proclamation, 
the Town Crier and Bellman following with the announcement 
that all farthings set forth by the Chamber on being brought into 
the Hall would he met with “‘newe monie” in exchange ; and so 
again, but this time finally, the Tokens were “ Cryed downe.” 
And soon Chamberlain John Bush, to whom fell the onerous 
duty of redeeming the Tokens, must have been busily employed, 
for his Account I have before referred to, presented October 
1672, contains : 
“Item pd for Exchange ye Citty 
ffarthings Cryed downe by procla- 
macon and brought into ye Hall att 
Passing of this Accompt (4) 33=4S68-7 
And his “ Accompt” would seem to have been a dry one, for 
a later entry records— 
“‘ Paid at the Sunne Taveren” (Alderm™ 
Henry Chapmans house, closely 
adjacent to the east side of the 
Guildhall) ‘‘at passing Mr. Bushe’s 
accom" 00 — 05 - 00.” 
