290 ST. HELENA 



penny, there would be a profit of 100 per cent. Then 

 again, the island authorities suggested that copper farthings 

 should be sent out to pass as pence (this being customary 

 in some parts of the West Indies). The pice of Madras 

 were not liked by the people because they were badly 

 shaped. They were worth three to the penny, and were 

 very heavy. In 1715 petition was again made for English 

 half-pence and farthings, which were sent. We know this, 

 for in 1716 small holes were drilled in " dollars and farthings 

 to keep them on the island." Paper money was in use in 

 1750 ; there were bank bills and cash notes, of the value of 

 405., 2os., 55., and 2s. 6d. 



In 1717 the amount of the Government balance was 

 700. 480 was in these cash bills, and the remainder was 

 100 in " bits," or Spanish rials or reals, valued at j^d. in 

 1750. There were also double reals and half reals. 



100 was in fanams or Phenams in 1742, valued at 3^ ; 

 and 100 in copper pice. July 1740 shows a great im- 

 provement in circulating medium. 



The items then in the Government balance were as 

 under : 



i s. d. 



Cash notes ..... 300 o o 

 Pagodas . . . 6,413 @ g/- . 2885 17 o 



(These were the standard gold coins of Madras. 

 Dollars . . 1,140 @ 5/- . . 285 o o 

 Venetians . 1,234 @ io/- . . 617 o o 

 (Venetian sequin, or chicken, e.g. Chicks of India.) 

 Madras Rupees 1,525 @ 2/3 . . 171 n 3 

 Ducatoons . 146 @ 6/- . . 43 16 o 

 Small money . . . . . o 4 io 



4,303 9 i 



Moriscoes are first mentioned in 1742 ; also Half St. 

 Thomas and gold gubbers, reckoned at 6s. each. There 

 were also gold rupees at 305., and Dudoes, is. 2d. French 

 copper money came into use about 1750, valued at 2d. each. 

 In 1750 the Government balance in treasury is given 

 in pieces of gold bullion : 



Venetians. Ryals. 



Gold rupees. French pieces, and 



Pagodas. Cash notes. 



Dollars. 



