Page 28 - Scottish Alchemists

While master of the mint, Sir Archibald was violently assailed in his
administration of his office by John Lindsay, Parson of Menmuir, father of
the first Earl of Balcarres, of whom a short sketch is subsequently given. In
1592 an Act of Parliament was passed, creating a new and superfluous office
in the department of the mint, in favour of the ‘Parson’, who was to be
styled ‘Master of the metals’. The same act also bears that “forsameikle as
Thomas Foullis, goldsmith, has found out the ingyne and moyene to melt
and fyne the ores of metals within this country, and has brought in
strangers,” etc., therefore ratifies to him the gift of “the said melting and
refining of all and whatsomever ores of metals are won and wrought within
this country”. This step was strongly opposed by Sir Archibald, who drew up
a formal protest against it in his own name and that of his younger son
Francis, which he laid before the Lords of Council. In this document, which
is preserved in the Advocates’ Library, he does not flinch from affirming that
Lindsay’s appointment was simply “ane substantius ground to mak himself
ane hauje purse”. He also impugns the “effyning” qualifications of Foulis and
his staff of strangers, whom he regards as charlatans, and urges that “the said
effyning ought to be made in presence of the wardens and essayer of the
Cunzie house only; for if some controlement thereof be not used by the most
expert of the Cunzie house the said effyners many make more than £40,000
of profit to themselves, and never kennel and fyre for effyning thereof”.

Sir Archibald retained his office for many years after his opponent, the
Parson of Menmuir, died, and he was in great repute in his management of
his important duties. In one instance he was so successful in conducting with
skill a case relative to the Scottish coinage before the English commissioners,
that it is recorded by Birrell in his diary: “The 10th of September 1604, the
Generall maister of the Cunzie House tuik shipping to Lundone, and the wit
and knowledge of the General wes wunderit at by the Englischmen”. Sir
Archibald died shortly after this in 1608.

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