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Communicated to the Senate, January 8, 1816.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:
January, 1816.
I communicate for the information of Congress the report of the Director of the Mint, of the operation of that establishment during the last year.
JAMES MADISON.
Mint of the United States, January 1, 1816.
Sir:
I have the honor at this time of laying before you a report of the operations of the Mint during the last year.
From the statement of the Treasurer, herewith transmitted, it will appear that, during that period, there have been struck at the Mint—
| In gold coins 635 pieces, amounting to | $3,175 |
| In silver coins 69,232 pieces, amounting to | 17,308 |
| Making in the whole, 69,867 pieces, amounting to | $20,483 |
The high price of gold and silver bullion for some time past in the current paper money of the country has prevented, and, as long as this shall continue to be the case, must necessarily prevent, deposites of these metals being made for coinage to any considerable amount. But a fresh supply of copper having lately been received at the Mint, we have again resumed the coinage of cents; and, it is believed that we shall, in the course of the year, should no failure in the expected supply of copper take place, be fully able to coin fifty tons weight, amounting to nearly 47,000 dollars; and that, with a regular supply of copper, which can readily be procured, on terms highly advantageous to Government, we can continue to coin fifty tons per annum as long as it may be judged expedient.
The circulation of these copper coins, and of those heretofore issued from the Mint, amounting to 251,646 dollars, and which must be still nearly all in the country, would, it is presumed, soon supply, in a great measure, the place of the small silver coins, which have now almost totally disappeared.
I have the honor to be, sir, with the greatest respect and esteem, your most obedient servant,
R. PATTERSON.
James Madison, President of the United States.
A statement of the coins struck at the Mint of the United States from the 1st January to the 31st December, 1815, inclusive, viz:
| Gold coins, | 635 | Half Eagles, | $3,175 | 00 |
| Silver coins, | 69,232 | Quarter Dollars, | 17,308 | 00 |
| Number of pieces, | 69,867 | $20,483 | 00 | |
Mint of the United States, Treasurer’s Office, Philadelphia, 30th December, 1815.
JAMES RUSH.
An abstract of the ordinary expenses of the Mint of the United States, from 1st January to the 31st December, 1815, inclusive, viz:
| Amount paid in salaries of the officers and clerks, | $9,766 | 67 |
| Amount paid in wages of labourers, | 3,116 | 44 |
| Amount paid in incidental and contingent expenses, | 1,612 | 03 |
| Total amount, | $14,495 | 14 |
Mint of the United States, Treasurer’s Office, Philadelphia, 30 December, 1815.
JAMES RUSH.