| RefNo | MS/790/32 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from Peter Davall, Temple, to Martin Folkes |
| Creator | Davall; Peter (1695 - 1763); barrister and astronomer |
| Recipient | Folkes; Martin (1690 - 1754); antiquary and natural philosopher |
| Date | 18th century |
| Description | He asks if Folkes could communicate the exact weight of the French ounce, according to Mr. Graham. His wager with Mr Jamineau is that his piece does not weigh 4s. more than a guinea. He has undoubtedly won, but he is uncertain of the exact bet. Notes that the French ounce according to Arbuthnott is 472 ½ troy grains or the mark 3780, which by division gives 151.2 grains for the weight of the piece in question. This exceeds the weight of a guinea by more than 21 grains. He gives other calculations. According to Folkes's supposition of the previous night, a French ounce weighs 475 ½ Troy grains which will make the weight of the piece 24/25 of a grain heavier. But neither this nor the making the French ounce equal to the English ounce troy brings the value of the piece so great as £1.5s. He thinks he has won, but if the piece does not weigh £1.4s.6d. he has no chance other than Mr. Graham’s account of the French weight being below Arbuthnot’s. |
| Extent | 2p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA6803 | Davall; Peter (1695 - 1763); barrister and astronomer | 1695 - 1763 |
| NA8378 | Folkes; Martin (1690 - 1754); antiquary and natural philosopher | 1690 - 1754 |