On
the second of March, 1829, provisions were made by Congress
for extending the Mint establishment, the supply of bullion
for coinage having increased beyond the capacity of the
existing accommodations.
The
corner-stone of the new edifice was laid on the fourth of
July, 1829; the building was made of marble and of the Grecian
style of architecture, the roof being covered with copper. It
was presented on Chestnut street and Penn Square a front of
723 feet, each front being ornamented with a portico of 60
feet, containing six Ionic columns. In the center of the
structure there was formerly a court-yard extending 85 by 84
feet, surrounded by a piazza to each story, affording an easy
access to all parts of the edifice.
On
July 4, 1829, Samuel Moore, then Director, laid the corner
stone of this new building, located at the northwest corner of
Chestnut and Juniper streets. It was of white marble, and of
the Grecian style of architecture, and was finished, and
commenced operations, in 1833. Subsequent to that date
necessary changes in the interior arrangements, to accommodate
the increase in business, were introduced at various times.
and it was made more secure as a depository for the great
amount of bullion contained within its vaults, by having been
rendered fire-proof in 1856.
COPY
OF THE PAPER LAID IN THE CORNER STONE OF THE MINT, JULY 4,
1829.
This
corner stone of the Mint of the United States of America, laid
on the 4th day of July, 1829, being the fifty-third
anniversary of our independence, in the presence of the
Officers thereof, Members of Congress of the adjacent
districts, architect, and artificers employed in the building,
and a number of citizens of Philadelphia, in the which with
this instrument are deposited specimens of the Coins of our
Country struck in the present year. The Mint of the United
States commenced operations in the year A. D., 1793,
increasing constantly in utility, until its locality and
convenience required extension and enlargement, which was
ordered by the passage of a bill appropriating $120,000 for
the erection of new and convenient buildings, to accommodate
its operations, vesting the disbursement in the judgment and
taste of the Director and President of the United States. In
pursuance of the above bill, passed during the Presidency of
John Quincy Adams, arrangements were made and designs adopted;
William Strickland appointed architect; John Struthers, marble
mason; Daniel Groves, bricklayer; Robert O'Neil, master
carpenter, and in the first year of the Presidency of Andrew
Jackson, this corner stone was placed in southeast corner of
the edifice.
The
names of the officers of the Mint of the United States at this
time, are as follows:
DOCTOR
SAMUEL MOORE, Director,
ADAM ECKFELDT, Coiner,
JOSEPH CLOUD, Melter and Refiner,
JOSEPH RICHARDSON, Assayer,
DOCTOR JAMES RUSH, Treasurer,
WM. KNEASS, Engraver,
GEORGE EHRENZELDER, Clerk.
MINT OF THE UNITED STATES,
Philadelphia, March 20, 1838.
EXTRACT
FROM RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS RELATING TO MINT
TO
HON. LEVI WOODBURY,
Secretary of the Treasury.
Sir: I had the honor to receive your letter asking my
attention to a resolution of the House of Representatives of
the United States, passed March 5, 1838, as follows:
"Resolved,
That the Secretary of the Treasury report to this House the
cost of erecting the principal Mint and its branches,
including buildings, fixtures, and apparatus; the salaries and
expenses of the different officers; the amount expended in the
purchase of bullion; the loss arising from wastage, and all
other expenses; and the average length of time it requires to
coin at the principal Mint all the bullion with which it can
be furnished; and further, what amount of coin has been struck
at the several branch mints, since their organization."
MINT
OF THE UNITED STATES, PHILADELPHIA.
The
cost of the edifice, machinery, and fixtures, was:
$173,390
Ground,
enclosure, paving, etc: $35,840
Total cost of buildings, etc:
$209,230
This amount does not include expenditures made under special
appropriations for the years 1836 and 1837, for milling and
coining by steam power; and for extensive improvements in the
assaying, melting, and parting rooms, and machine shops,
amounting to: $28,270.
It
may be proper to mention that the Mint building is on the best
street in the city, is of large dimensions, with the whole
exterior of marble, and two Ionic porticos; and that the
machinery and apparatus are of the best construction. The cost
must therefore be considered as very moderate. The new Mint
lately erected by the British India Government at Calcutta,
cost 24 lacs of rupees, or about $1,138,000.
The
Director receives per annum: $3,500
Treasurer: 2,000
Chief
Coiner:
2,000
Melter and Refiner:
2,000
Assayer:
2,000
Engraver:
2,000
Second
Engraver: 1,500
Assistant Assayer: 1,300
Treasurer's
Clerk: 1,200
Bookkeeper: 1,000
Clerk
of the weighing room: 1,200
Director's
Clerk: 700
Total
for salaries: $20,400
No
expenses are allowed, beyond the above sums, to any officer,
assistant, or clerk, for the performance of his duties.
As
all the gold and silver brought to the Mint is purchased at
the net Mint price, there is no expense, properly so called,
incurred on this account.
R.
M. PATTERSON,
Director of the Mint.