290 ST. HELENA 



penny, there would be a profit of loo 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 tlic island." Paper money wiis in use in 

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

 40s., 20S., 5s., and 2s. 6d. 



In 1717 the amount of the Government balance was 

 £700. £480 was in these casli bills, and the remainder was 

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

 1750. There were also double reals and half reals. 



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

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

 provement in circulating medium. 



The items then in the Govermnent balance were as 

 under : — 



£ s. d. 



Cash notes ..... 300 o o 



Pagodas . . . 6,413 @ 9/- 2885 17 o 



(These were the standard gold coins of .Madras. 

 Dollars 1,140 @ 5/- 285 o o 



Venetians . 1,234 @ 10/- . 617 o o 



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

 Madras Rupees 1,525 @ 2/3 171 11 3 



Ducatoons . 146 @ 6/- 43 16 o 



Small money ... o 4 10 



£4,303 9 I 



Moriscoes are first mentioned m 1742 ; also Half St. 



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



were also gold rupees at 30s., 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. 



