be made to them (excepting as aforesaid) the said pieces of money according to the rates aforesaid, hereby declaring that such of our subjects within this kingdom as shall refuse the said pieces of copper and brass money at the rates aforesaid (excepting as aforesaid) being tendered to them for payment, shall be punished according to the utmost rigour of the law, as contemners of our royal prerogative and command. Provided always, that this our proclamation shall not be construed, to oblige any merchant or merchants, importing any goods into this kingdom, to receive upon the first sale of such goods so imported, any of the said copper or brass money: And whereas we have caused the said copper and brass money to be made currant money for present necessity, and therefore do not intend that the same shall continue for any long time. We do, by this our royal proclamation, promise and engage to all our subjects here that as soon as the said money shall be decried and made null, that we shall thereupon receive from all and every our subjects within this kingdom such proportion of the said money as shall be, and remain in their respective hands at the time the same shall be so decried and made null: and at the same time either allow for the same to them the value thereof, at the rates aforesaid, out of what rent, duties or debts, they respectively shall owe to us, or to make them full satisfaction for the same according to the rates aforesaid, in gold or silver of the currant coyne of this kingdom. Given at our court, at Dublin-castle, the eighteenth day of June, 1689, and in the fifth year of our reign. BY THE KING." [Illustration: GUN MONEY OF JAMES II. (9. Shilling--10. Shilling--11. Half-crown--12. Half-crown--13. Half-crown--14. Crown--15. Crown--16. Limerick farthing.)] A certain amount of trouble was, of course, experienced by the King in obtaining sufficient supplies of metal to meet his somewhat rapacious lust for coining. After his own stores were exhausted he cast around for additional supplies and the following candid letter reveals his method of procedure:-- "Our will and pleasure is, that you forthwith deliver to the commissioners of the mint those two brass canons now lying in the court of this our castle marked etc. weighing etc. and for soe doeing this shall be your warrant. Given at our court at Dublin-castle, this eleventh day of July, 1689, and in the fifth year of our reign. To our trusty and wel-beloved cozen and counsellor Justin Lord Viscount Mount Cashel, master general of our ordnance." This second letter, dealing with the same matter, is also worthy of note:-- "SIR,