MINT.

Communicated to Congress, January 26, 1805.

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:

I communicate, for the information of Congress, the report of the Director of the Mint, of the operations of that institution during the last year.

TH: JEFFERSON.

January 25, 1805.

. . . . . . . .

Mint of the United States, 1st January, 1805.   

At the commencement of the year, it is the duty of the Director of the Mint to communicate to Government the state of the mint, with its issues for the past year.

The issues of silver coins, notwithstanding the mercantile embarrassments attending the importation of bullion, have greatly exceeded that of the year 1803, and the advantage of a public mint has been sensibly experienced, by the greatest part of the deposites being issued in small coin, which has been found very beneficial to the citizens, at large, under the late scarcity of Spanish dollars, occasioned by the great exportation of them for mercantile purposes.

The quantity of gold bullion has been equal to that of the last report; so that, in the past year, the coinage of the precious metals has amounted to three hundred and fifty-eight thousand nine hundred and eighty-three dollars. The particulars will appear by the schedule No. 1, herewith, to which the Director begs leave to refer.

It is worthy of the President's attention, that about eleven thousand dollars of the gold coin is the produce of virgin gold, found in the county of Cabarrus, in the State of North Carolina, where, it is said, a considerable quantity has been found since, which will, in all probability, be forwarded to the mint. It is to be regretted that this gold is melted into small ingots before it is sent to the mint, for the convenience of carriage; but, by which, there is reason to believe, a considerable portion of it is wasted. It is also said, that the finest particles are neglected, and only the large grains and lumps sought after.

The increased price of copper in Europe, and the quantity on hand have been thought sufficient reason to confine the coinage of cents to one press; and from the last accounts from Europe, copper is likely to be considerably increased in price, which will render the coinage of cents less profitable. The past year there have been issued seven hundred and fifty-six thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight cents, and one million and fifty-five thousand three hundred and twelve half cents - equal to twelve thousand eight hundred and forty-four dollars and ninety-four cents, as appears by the same schedule, No. 1. The amount of the cost of copper, and profit on the the whole coinage of cents this year, will be seen by schedule No. 2.

The coinage of the year amounts, in the whole, to the sum of three hundred and seventy-one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven dollars and ninety-four cents; and the number of pieces to two millions forty-six thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine.

The expenses of the mint, for the past year, will appear, by schedule No. 3, to be reduced to a trifle more than sixteen thousand dollars.

The Director thinks it his duty to mention to the President, that very considerable difficulty, as well as danger, may arise to the public, from the officers and workmen of the mint being exposed to be called out to attend militia meetings, or on detachments. When large deposites of the precious metals are passing through the mint, and, particularly when in fusion, it may be of the most dangerous consequences to have the officers and men called away, or be liable to fines for non-attendance. It is too important a trust to be thus exposed. The President, in his wisdom, will provide against this evil.

ELIAS BOUDINOT, Director.

To the President of the United States.

No. 1.

An abstract of the Coins struck at the Mint of the United States, from the 1st January to the 31st December, 1804.

Mint of the United States, Treasurer's Office, Philadelphia, 31st December, 1804.

BENJAMIN RUSH.

No. 2.

Statement of the gain on Copper coined at the Mint of the United States, from 1st January to 31st December, 1804.

Mint of the United States, Treasurer's Office, Philadelphia, 31st December, 1804.

BENJAMIN RUSH.

No. 3.

An Abstract of the expenditures of the Mint of the United States, from the 1st January to 31st December, 1804.

Mint of the United States, Treasurer's Office, Philadelphia, 31st December, 1804.

BENJAMIN RUSH.